International Students and Scholars

Deadlines:

January 12  Spring Semester begins

January 15  Scholarship Deadline

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Requirements for the F-1 Student

 Requirements for Admission, Extension, and Maintenance of Status of the F-1 Student

School Transfers

1. New 5-month rule: A student must be able to begin classes within 5 months of transferring out of the current school or within 5 months of the program completion date on the I-20, whichever is earlier.  Students on OPT: A transfer can be done only if the student is able to resume classes within 5 months of transferring out of the school that recommended OPT or the date the OPT authorization ends, whichever is earlier.  (Still checking on this interpretation).

 2. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services recognized travel and re-entry in a new F-1 status for those not eligible for transfer.

 3.  Student must present the transfer I-20 to receiving school DSO within 15 days of the program start date listed on the Form I-20, instead of within 15 days of beginning attendance.

 4. Current school must set a "release date" in the SEVIS system. A new school cannot issue a new I-20 for transfer until this "release date" has been reached.  Also, a student can indicate only one school to whom he or she should be released to for transfer.  This will require the student to make a decision sooner if he or she has applied to more than one school.

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Employment (On-Campus, Off Campus)

1. On-campus: On-campus employment may begin no more than 30 days prior to the actual start of classes for new students.  For transfer students, on-campus employment may occur only at the school that "has jurisdiction over his/her SEVIS record" (See School Transfers). The prior school has jurisdiction before the SEVIS release date; the new school has jurisdiction after the SEVIS release date.

2. Off-Campus Practical Training:
          a. The student must complete one full academic year of study in order to be eligible.
          b. Time spent in a study abroad program during the course-of-study may be counted toward this one academic year requirement, as long as the student has spent at least one full academic term (1 semester) enrolled in a full course-of-study prior to studying abroad, AND provided the student spends less than 5 months studying abroad in order to satisfy the temporary absence agreement.
          c. A student who has used 12 months of OPT is eligible for another 12 months after changing to a higher educational level.
          d. Applications for OPT may be submitted 90 days prior to a student being enrolled for one full academic year, provided that that period of employment will not begin until the completion of the full academic year.
          e. OPT must be requested PRIOR to the completion of course requirements or PRIOR to completion of the course-of-study.  DHS must receive the OPT applications before the end of the course-of-study.
          f. OPT must still be completed within 14 months following completion of study.
          g. OPT authorization will automatically be terminated when the student transfers to another school or begins study at another educational level.
          h. Students on OPT must continue to report name and address changes to the DSO, and the DSO must maintain these records in SEVIS.  Disruptions in employment must also be reported.
          i. Travel while authorized for employment: The Student must use the EAD in combination with an I-20 endorsed for re-entry by the DSO within the last 6 months for re-entry to the U.S. (Not a change, just a clarification.)

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F-2 Dependents

1. Each F-2 is to be issued a separate, individual I-20 in SEVIS
2. F-2 dependents may not accept any employment.
3. F-2 spouses may not engage in full-time study, only part-time study "a vocational or recreational in nature."
4. F-2 children may only engage in full-time study for elementary and secondary schooling.
5. F-2 dependents who are enrolled on a full-time bases prior to January 1, 2003 will be allowed to continue such study, but only if they apply for a change of status to F-1 on or before March 11, 2003.

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Housing

You must have housing arrangements before arrival at NKU.  NKU does not have temporary housing.  If you arrive without housing arrangements, you will be referred to local hotels.

The Office of Residential Life is responsible for operating and maintaining the residence halls and assigning rooms.  The office is located in Norse Commons 101.  On campus rooms are available on a contract basis for one semester or one year.  A $200 deposit is required to hold the room.  If you sent us a request for campus housing with your application, it has been sent to the Office of Residential Life.  If you have not sent a housing request yet but would like to live in our dormitories, send your housing application and $200 deposit to the International Student Affairs Office. For specific questions related to housing, please write the Office of Residential Life at the University address or phone (859) 572-5676, or you may send a fax to (859) 572-6099.  We recommend that you request Norse Hall or Woodcrest Apartments as these residence halls are open throughout the vacation periods.  Space is very limited so it is important that students turn in their applications early.

Off-campus housing is available to students on a contract or lease basis.  This means that the student makes an agreement with a unit for a given period of time.  Most landlords require a security deposit at the time of signing the contract.  Students should keep in mind that most apartments are unfurnished (no bed, desks, or other furniture).  All or part of the deposit is usually returned to the student when the contract is terminated.  Students might learn of available housing through newspaper advertisements and bulletin boards across campus; we do not have an off-campus housing office to assist students in finding alternative housing.

Both on and off-campus students must have their own pillows, bed sheets, blankets and towels.  You can bring your own bed linens, or you can purchase them upon arrival.

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Check-In

All newlyadmitted F-1 international students must come in person to the Office of International Student Affairs during the first  week of classes.   The office is located in room 366 of the University Center.  At that time, you must present your passport, I-20, and any other documents pertaining to your immigration status.  This formality is required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

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Testing, Academic Advising, and Registration

Placement testing in English and/or Mathematics is required for new international students prior to registration.  After testing, students will meet first with either the Director, the Program Coordinator, or the Admissions Specialist of International Student Affairs, and then with an academic advisor in their chosen field of study.  Depending on the placement results, you may be required to take English as a Second Language classes your first semester, in addition to your other classes.  Once you have met with your advisor and obtained the necessary signatures, you will then be allowed to complete the registration process.  All international students new to NKU will be automatically enrolled in a special orientation course their first semester (University 101).  This 3 credit hour required course helps students not only adjust to a new learning environment, but also to understand immigration regulations as they pertain to F-1 student status. To learn more information about placement testing please contact Ms. Jane Bratton at brattonj@nku.edu

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Orientation

This special session is conducted by the Office of International Student Affairs to acquaint new international students with university and community resources, and address areas of concern, such as immigration regulations, health related matters, cultural adjustment, activities, and other relevant topics.  You will be given more specific details upon your arrival. Also, as a new international student, you will be enrolled in a special University 101 course during your first semester at NKU.

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Change of Personal or Educational Data

International students must report all changes of name, address, phone number, ID/Social Security number, marital status, major or educational level, and school transfers to the Office of International Student Affairs within 10 days of any changes.    You must also report any change of address to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) directly within 10 days of moving.  Failure to do so is a criminal offense and a deportable charge.

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Dependents of Married Students

The ISA office can only issue the necessary documents for your dependents to join you in the U.S. after receiving a bank statement with the additional funds needed to cover their costs (additionally, a minimum of $3,500 for your spouse and $2,500 for each child.)

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