1. Understanding International Student Needs
What in the world does this acronym mean?
(RCL, CPT, OPT, etc.)

2. Presentation Overview
Texas State International Office
Definitions
Who is an international student?
What is an F-1 visa status?
International students at Texas State
International Documents
International Student Forms and Regulations
Cultural Adjustment
International Student Challenges
International Minds

3. Texas State International Office
The International Office is here to assist students, scholars, faculty and staff to navigate federal immigration regulations.
Our staff:
Jon Ahlberg- Associate Director
Jonathan Tyner- Coordinator
Victoria Gonzales-
Engagement Specialist
Contact information:
Office: Thornton International House
Phone:

4. Definitions
DHS: Department of Homeland Security - oversees federal agencies responsible for international student and exchange visitor programs. Includes: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Formerly known as INS until March 1, 2003.
SEVIS: Student and Exchange Visitor Information System – Federal database system that holds and keeps track of all F-1 non-immigrant student records
DSO: Designated School Official – Trained and authorized by DHS to access, input and manage F-1 Student SEVIS records. Texas State has four DSOs: Three in the International Office and one in Texas State’s Intensive English Program (TSIE)
Form I-20: Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.

5. Who is an international student?
An international student is a student enrolled in a U.S. academic program and has a nonimmigrant status.
Some common non-immigrant statuses are A-1, A-2, E-1, E-2, F-1, H-1, H-4, J-1, J-2, L-1, L-2, M-1, R-1 and TD.
See visa classifications and definitions here:
F-1 Student is the most common non-immigrant visa status at Texas State. 90% of Texas State’s international students are on F-1 visas.
Undocumented or students with permanent residency, refugee status or asylum in the US are not considered international students.

6. What is an F-1 visa status?
International students who are attending an academic program at a SEVIS-approved US college or university.
International Office is responsible for monitoring students on F-1 visas.
Students on non-F-1 visa statuses should consult with an immigration attorney for immigration related questions.
F-1 students must maintain full-time enrollment for each Fall and Spring semester.

7. International Students at Texas State
Spring 2018
Total Student
F Visa
Other Visas

8. International Student Enrollment Trends

9. Top 10 Countries of Origin Where are our students from?
2017
Top 10 Countries of Origin
Students
(% Change) 1
Mexico
16 (-24%) 2
Nigeria
13 (+30%) 3
China (Mainland)
12 (+33%) 4
India
12 (-14%) 5
Saudi Arabia
12 (-7.7%) 6
Japan
9 (+29%) 7
United Kingdom
7 (-22%) 8
Vietnam
7 (-30%) 9
Canada
6 (-14%) 10
Colombia
5 (+67%)
Total 99
% of total undergraduates
54%
Where are our students from?

10. Top 10 Majors at TXST for International Students
2017
Top 10 Majors
Student
(% Change) 1
Exploratory
26 (+8.3%) 2
Computer Science
18 (0%) 3
Exploratory Professional
9 (-44%) 4
Accounting
8 (-38%) 5
Finance
8 (+33%) 6
Management 7
Engineering Technology
7 (+40%) 8
Economics
6 (0%) 9
International Studies
6 (+50%) 10
Industrial Engineering
5 (0%)
Total
101
% of total undergraduates
56%

11. Spring 2018 International Students Per Academic College
Applied Arts
McCoy College of Business
Education
Fine Arts & Comm.
Health Professions
Liberal Arts
Science & Engineering
University College
Total 17 35 7 21 13 49 22
F-1 33 20

12. Immigration Documents
Passport
I-20
Visa
Must be valid for an F-1 student in the U.S.
Renew passport with student’s embassy if expired
Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status
Student uses I-20 and acceptance letter to obtain an F-1 Visa at the US Consulate in home country.
If the student’s visa expires while in the U.S., it will not affect the student’s F-1 status.
Does not need to be valid to remain in US.

13. Form I-20 The I-20 is a ”certificate of eligibility” and is needed to travel in and out of the U.S. The I-20 should always reflect accurate information (name, institution, program, major, funding source, etc.). Treat the I-20 like a passport. Do not damage or lose the I-20.
Start Date – program start date and first day of classes
Student may enter at most 30 days before the Start Date.
End Date – anticipated date of program of study completion.
Program extensions can be granted in limited situations.
Change of Major – a new I-20 will be made for students who change majors. Travel Signature – a DSO must endorse a student’s international travel so that the student can re-enter the US. Travel signatures should be requested every semester when traveling internationally.

14. F-1 Student Regulations
F-1 students are required by DHS to maintain lawful status by:
Enrolling full-time (12 hours) in the Fall and Spring semesters and summer if the student’s first semester is summer.
Not working off-campus without proper authorization from the International Office.
Only one distance learning course may count toward full- time enrollment.

15. How TXST Advisors CAN Help
In compliance with DHS regulations the International Office must maintain:
Documentation that supports the granting of reduced course load authorizations (Academic Difficulty RCL Form)
Documentation that a student is in the final semester and does not need to be full-time to graduate (Final Semester RCL Form)
Documentation supporting an I-20 extension (Program Extension)
Verification that courses taken at another school will count towards the student’s degree at Texas State (Concurrent Enrollment Form)
Documentation supporting the granting, recommendation, and reporting of off-campus practical training (CPT and OPT Forms)

16. International Student Forms
Certification Forms Needing Advisor Approval:
Reduced Course Load Form
Academic, Medical, and Final Semester
Concurrent Enrollment Form
Program Extension Form
Curricular Practical Training Form
Completion of Degree Form (for Optional Practical Training)

17. Reduced Course Load (RCL)
Every fall and spring semesters F-1 students must maintain full-time enrollment. Summer full-time enrollment is required for new F-1 students beginning in summer.
Exception: A reduced course load (RCL) requires approval from the International Office. F-1 students must first complete the RCL form, obtain a signature from their academic advisor, if needed, and return the form to the International Office to request an override in Banner. After the International Office has entered the override, students are responsible for completing their registration or drop procedures on CATSWEB.

18. Reduced Course Load (RCL) continued
The following six circumstances are those in which DHS permits F-1 students to be enrolled below full-time and considered to be maintaining their legal status:
Initial Difficulty with English Language
Initial Difficulty with Reading Requirements
Unfamiliarity with American Teaching Methods
Improper Course Level Placement
Illness or Medical Condition
To Complete Course of Study in Current Term (Final Semester)

19. RCL for Academic Difficulty
An RCL may be authorized for a student experiencing academic difficulties, but only for these reasons specified in the regulations
Initial difficulties with the English language
Initial difficulties with reading requirements
Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
Improper course level placement
Notice: An RCL based on the academic difficulty reason must consist of at least six semester hours and only once per program level.

20. RCL for Academic Difficulty Continued
Although there will be situations that do not clearly fit into one of these categories, we must use our discretion to evaluate whether the particular academic situation can properly be seen to fall within one of the established categories.
Reasons not allowed:
"imminent danger of failing a class" is not a permissible reason unless sufficient facts are gathered that prove the student is on the verge of failure because he or she was placed at an improper course level.
Financial difficulty

21. Medical and Final Semester RCL
Medical RCL
F-1 students with documented medical condition(s) can be eligible for a medical reduced course load.
Medical RCL form must be signed by a medical professional.
May drop down to zero credit hours.
Cannot exceed 12 months.
Final Semester
F-1 students in their final term do not need to be full- time and may take just the courses needed to complete their program.
May enroll in as little as one credit hour.
May not use more than once.
Must be received before the 12th class day of student’s final semester.

22. Concurrent Enrollment Certification Form
An F-1 student may be enrolled in two different SEVIS- approved schools at one time as long as the combined enrollment amounts to a full-time course load.
Advisor certifies that the requested courses are transferable credits that will contribute to the student’s program of study

23. Distance Learning Courses
Only one (1) distance learning class/online course per semester may be counted toward the full-time enrollment requirement.
Class considered “Distance Learning” is taken online or through correspondence and does not require the student's physical attendance for classes, examination, or other purposes integral to completion of the class.
If a class has any required face-to-face components the class is not considered a distance learning course.
Online Class
Face-to-Face Class 1 3 2

24. Program Extension Certification Form
An F-1 Student who will not complete their academic program by the I-20 program end date must apply for a program extension before the I-20 program end date.
Advisors certify that the delay in completion is caused by compelling academic reasons, such as changes of major, research topics, or unexpected research problems.
The International Office has the discretion to interpret the term "compelling academic or medical reasons."
Delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extension.

25. Employment
F-1 students are permitted to work on-campus without approval from the International Office.
F-1 students must have a valid I-20.
20 hours a week while school is in session.
40 hours a week during university breaks and summer.
All off-campus work requires authorization from the International Office.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Severe Economic Hardship Work Authorization
An F-1 student may be authorized to work off-campus with one of these work authorizations after enrolled in a full course of study for at least one academic year of two consecutive semesters (i.e., Fall/Spring or Spring/Fall).

26. F-1 Practical Training
Students must be receive authorization from the International Office prior to engaging in off-campus employment.
Internships, student teaching, and other work related opportunities off-campus (even unpaid) are considered employment
May also require authorization for volunteer work
Two main types of off-campus practical training:
CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
OPT (Optional Practical Training)

27. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Key word is CURRICULAR
CPT is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, student teaching, directed project, or any other type of required internship or practicum course that is required for the student’s degree.
Authorization is provided by the DSO to participate in curricular practical training, which must be an integral part of an established curriculum.
CPT should be approached primarily from the curricular perspective, and only secondarily from the employment perspective. The school's curriculum, not the student's desire for employment or income, should drive CPT authorization.

28. CPT Application Process
Student meets with Academic Advisor to discuss planned internship.
Student registers for internship class.
Student submits the following to the International Office:
Curricular Practical Training Certification Form signed by Advisor
Class schedule showing enrollment in internship course
Hiring or job offer letter from company on letterhead
Student receives authorization and new I-20 from International Office before starting employment

29. Optional Practical Training (OPT)
F-1 students apply to USCIS for 12 months of temporary employment authorization (Optional Practical Training) that directly relates to their major. Most students will begin OPT after the completion of their degree program.
Advisors certify the student will complete their program of study by signing the Completion of Degree Certification Form

30. Cultural Adjustment
International students bring their values, religious beliefs, customs, and assumptions, with them to Texas State. Social norms, academic practices, and communication styles are a few of the many differences they encounter.
International students often experience culture shock upon arriving in the US; some students experience the phases of Culture Shock more intensely and longer than others.
Learning how to navigate Texas State’s academic and community culture can be challenging. For example: social roles, academic expectations, class attendance, campus policies and procedures, and overcoming any language barriers.
Every language barrier or cultural difference is an opportunity to learn and look at the world from a completely different perspective.

31. Student Challenges
International students come from many different cultures and have diverse experiences with higher education.
Some have never exercised much academic choice and are expecting to be told what to do and what to take.
Some you constantly about many non-academic issues.
Some constantly challenge you because ‘No’ doesn’t mean no in their culture where they push to get anything.

32. Event funding opportunities available!
Annual Events
Mandatory Immigration Check-in
Week before start of each semester
International Student Resource Fair
International Student Welcome Social
2nd or 3rd week of the semester
OPT Employment Authorization Workshops
February and September
International Education Luncheon
November every year
International Graduation Celebration
Last week of fall and spring semester
International Student Sports Day
“Dead Day” before finals every semester
More International Minds events: events.html
Keep up to date with events:
nationalOffice
Event funding opportunities available!

33. Thornton International House
Presentation is available on the International Office website – Department Resources:
Thornton International House
Phone:

34. Questions?