An F-1 student has the F-1 visa and he or she has an I-20 Immigration form. Most F-1s at Illinois State are degree-seeking students. A J-1 student has the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa and an Immigration form called the DS2019. Most J-1s at Illinois State are non-degree seeking students, or may be sponsored by their home government, Fulbright, or a scholarship agency.
Since Immigration rules require that F-1 and J-1 students maintain a full-time course load at all times, you must be very careful about dropping classes. Before doing so, you must talk to an advisor in the International Studies Office to apply for permission according to Immigration laws.
Students in F-1 Immigration status may transfer from one institution to another either between levels of study or within the same level of study. The Immigration procedure requires that the student select an institution to attend and tell the International Studies Office when they will transfer and start their studies at the new school. Transfers between levels of study must be completed prior to the end of the student's 60-day grace period.
Students in J-1 Immigration status can transfer from one Exchange Visitor Sponsor to another if they are first released in the SEVIS system by the previous Immigration sponsor and can prove funding for studying at the new university. The Exchange Visitor category (for example, student or non-degree seeking student) must remain the same and the objectives of their program must also remain the same.
Please make an appointment with an advisor in International Studies for more information.
For changes in your local address: Students must report changes of address to the Department of Homeland Security within 10 days of moving. Please do the following: 1) Complete an AR-11 form and send it to the DHS address shown on the form; 2) Update your address in 107 Moulton Hall; and 3) Give your new address to an advisor in the International Studies Office.
For changes in your international address at home: Give your international student advisor your new international address. The International Studies Office is the only place on campus that has permission to update your international address in the university system.
Social Security Numbers are needed to process paychecks so that your employer can pay you. Having a Social Security number is also helpful if you would like to drive in the United States and need an Illinois driver's license. Only people with visa types that allow them to work (such as the F-1 visas, J-1, J-2, H-1B, L-1, and some others) are eligible for a social security number. Since F-2 visa holders, as well as H-4s and L-2s are not employable, they can not receive Social Security numbers.
Students with an International License may drive legally in Illinois for 90 days after entering the United States. To apply for an Illinois driver's license you will need to go to the Drivers License Bureau and take the following items: 1) Passport and visa, 2) Social Security Card, and 3) A piece of mail or document showing your local Bloomington-Normal address. You will need to take three tests: vision, written, and road. The cost is $10 for people over 21 years old.
You can apply for your license at: 1510 West Market Street in Bloomington. Phone: (309) 827-3531. View information for the Bloomington facility at the CyberDriveIllinois Web site.
If you will not have a social security card (because you won't have a job), you can still apply for a driver's license. Before you go to the driver's facility, you must go to the Social Security Administration Office in Bloomington. Bring your passport, visa and I-20 or DS2019 form and tell them that you would like a letter from them that you can give to the driver's license facility. Once you have the letter, you may then go to apply for your license.
Transferring Money: If you need to transfer large amounts of money to the United States, you should check with your bank in your home country and discuss the options that best suit your situation. You may choose to carry a check/draft with you when you travel to campus or to send a check directly from your bank (also called a cashier's check) in U.S. dollars. You may then deposit this money when you open a bank account here. A wire transfer from your bank at home to a local bank here is another way to transfer your money. Be sure to ask about the cost involved in each transaction. If you choose to carry money with you, it is safest to carry it in the form of traveler's checks (in U.S. dollars) or a check card (such as Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) rather than to carry large amounts of cash on your person.
Opening A Bank Account: Once you arrive at Illinois State, you will probably want to open a bank account at a local bank to keep your money safe. The Office of International Studies and Programs will help students open a standard student checking account at a bank near campus during Orientation Week. Bring your I-20 or DS-2019 (indicating that you are a student at Illinois State), your student I.D. card, your Orientation folder (or some other document with your new address listed on it), your passport, and the funds you wish to deposit.
You may visit the Student Accounts Office is located at 607 West Dry Grove Street (near the intersection of Kingsley St. and Dry Grove Street.) You can reference the online campus map.
You can make a payment either in person at the Student Accounts building, by mail, using the drop box, or the State of Illinois E-Pay Web site.
Everyone who works in the United States is required to pay Federal and State taxes. Please talk to an International Studies advisor for more information.
International students usually do not need an immigration lawyer for most processes that they do at the university. Your International Student Advisor will tell you when legal advice from an Immigration lawyer is needed because advising from our office no longer meets your needs. Some common things that students and faculty/scholars need legal services from an Immigration lawyer for include the following: permanent residency and, for non-faculty/researchers, H-1B processing. See a list of Immigration attorneys. (Please note that being included on this list is not an endorsement of quality of service).
See an overview of employment and internship eligibility for F-1 and J-1 students.
Other Visa Types: Not all visitors to the United States are eligible to work. Here is a very basic chart of employment options for common visitors at Illinois State. Please see an Immigration advisor if you have questions:
Not being eligible for work includes, but is not limited to on-campus jobs, off-campus jobs, graduate assistantships, babysitting, piano lessons, etc.
Students can check here for on-campus student work positions and graduate assistantships.
International students are generally not eligible for the same kinds of financial aid that American students are eligible for; however, there are some scholarships and other programs available for international students at Illinois State.
Graduate Assistantships
Many graduate students apply for graduate assistantships or graduate teaching assistantships. Assistantships are jobs that include a small stipend or salary and include a full payment of your tuition (called a "tuition waiver"). The total financial benefit is generally almost enough to cover all of a student's expenses during an academic year. Please contact your academic department if you are interested in a graduate assistantship.
Tuition Waiver from the International Studies Office
The Office of International Studies and Programs usually has some tuition waiver money available for students after they have attended Illinois State for one year. This is completely dependent on the availability of funds. The waivers are competitive and based on grades, need, and participation in the international life on campus. It is best to apply in the early summer for a waiver for the following academic year although some money may be available mid-year as well. View the tuition waiver application from International Studies for graduates and undergrads.
I-House Merit Award
The International House Merit Award is for students who have been active in International House (Atkin-Colby) and have shown outstanding leadership in International Programming. The I-House Merit Award application is available. You may give your completed application to the International Studies Office at 308 Fell Hall.
The Lucy Jen Huang Hickrod Award
The Lucy Jen Huang Hickrod Award is for promising graduate students from the People's Republic of China who have a record of academic excellence, outstanding career goals and financial need. The application consists of a coverletter from the applicant stating the award name, the applicant's name, UID, address, email, major, expected date of graduation, and description of academic excellence, career goals and financial need. Applications should be accompanied with support letters from faculty and staff. Hand in your application to 308 Fell Hall, International Studies Office.
The Betty Plummer International Studies Outstanding Senior Scholarship
This scholarship is for international students who are graduating with a Bachelor's degree from Illinois State in May or August 2007. The application consists of a cover letter from the applicant stating the award name, the applicant's name, UID, address, email, major, expected date of graduation, and description of academic excellence as well as graduate school or career goals. Applications should be accompanied by support letters from faculty and staff. Give your application to 308 Fell Hall, International Studies Office.
Work on Campus
Most international students work on campus to earn money. On campus employment is a very standard part of the university experience for Americans, too. Most international students are allowed by Immigration to work up to 20 hours each week during the semester, and an unlimited number of hours during summer and winter vacations.
Students with the J-1 visa must receive work permission from the International Studies Office before starting employment. This is an Immigration law.
Off Campus EmploymentWhile international students are usually not allowed to legally work off campus according to Immigration laws, some students may be eligible for such employment due to an unforeseen, serious financial hardship. Please make an appointment with an international advisor for further information. Never work off campus before first speaking with your international advisor.
Transcripts are available from the Office of the University Registrar at 107 Moulton Hall.
F-1 and J-1 students are generally able to travel in and out of the United States. When traveling outside the United States, international students should be sure to: 1) Make sure that they travel with their passport, visa, I-94 card and Immigration papers; 2) Be sure to have a valid passport and visa to enter the country they are traveling to, and a valid passport and visa to re-enter the United States; 3) Have their I-20 form (for F-1 students) or their DS2019 form (for J-1 students) validated with a travel signature by an immigration advisor in the International Studies Office; and 3) Receive a travel letter from International Studies. Please note: Students must have a signed their I-20 or DS2019 signed before leaving the United States. This is an Immigration rule.
You do not need a travel signature or letter to travel within the United States, but you should carry all of your Immigration documents with you.
If your visa expires while you are in the United States, it is no problem. This is because a visa is only used to enter the United States; it does not determine how long you may stay here. Instead, it is your I-94 card and I-20 or DS2019 are the immigration documents that say how long you may stay in the United States.
The only time that you need to think about getting a new visa is if you will travel outside the United States. If your visa is expired, you will need to get a new visa to re-enter the United States.
F-1 Students: Immigration expects F-1 students to complete their studies on or before the date listed in item 5 on their I-20 form. They must either leave the U.S., process a transfer to another university, change levels of study, or change to another visa status within the 60-day grace period. Students who need more time to complete their studies (beyond their I-20's expiration date) may be eligible for an extension. The extension must be processed by the International Studies Office before the current I-20 expires. Applications for extension require financial documentation and specific academic necessity.
J-1 Students: Immigration expects J-1 students to complete their studies on or before the ending date stated on their DS2019. They must either leave the United States, process a transfer to another university, or change to another visa status within the 30-day grace period. Students who need more time beyond their DS2019's expiration date may be eligible for an extension and should contact an advisor in the International Studies Office before the ending date on their DS2019 arrives. To be approved for an extension, students must provide additional proof of funding, show that they have maintained health insurance that meets the U.S. Department of State's requirements, have a recommendation letter from their academic advisor, and show that they are making satisfactory academic progress.
Students must contact their consulate or embassy to find out passport extension procedures. Be sure to extend your passport before it expires. New visas can only be obtained outside the United States and are only needed to re-enter the United States if you travel internationally. International advisors in the International Studies Office can write letters to support requests for passport extensions or new visas.
Your International Student Advisor at ISU can advise you on the procedures for replacing lost Immigration documents. Lost or stolen passports should be reported to the local police.
The consequences to breaking an Immigration law will depend on each person's situation and relevant information. If you think you may have broken an Immigration law, please talk to your International Student Advisor right away. She will be able to provide you with the best information and perhaps a solution so that you can get back in good standing with Immigration.
Advisors in International Studies advise students on Immigration laws and help them to process applications for Immigration benefits. They are required to maintain the university's records with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services according to their understanding of current Immigration laws. Advisors also help students learn how to survive and thrive in U.S. culture and society. The advisors in International Studies are not lawyers and are not employed by any Immigration agency; but are employees of Illinois State University, and therefore, work within the law in the best interests of the university and international students, scholars and faculty.
Whether or not you can be a student at Illinois State or in the United States depends on your visa type. Some visa types, like the F-1 or J-1, allow you to study full time. Other visa types, like the F-2 dependent visa, do not allow you to study. Please contact an Immigration advisor in the International Studies Office for more information.
F-1 or J-1 students can invite members of their immediate family (such as spouses or children) ) by proving sufficient funds so that I-20s or DS2019s may then be issued. Family members would then use the I-20 or DS2019 to apply for an F-2 or J-2 visa respectively.
F-1 or J-1 students can invite members of their family (such as parents, brothers, sisters) or friends as "tourists" by requesting an invitation letter from an advisor in the International Studies Office.
Everyone (including international students and U.S. citizens) who start a new job must complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form. Your employer must keep this in your file. All student I-9 forms are to be completed by the employer (University Central Hiring office or academic department). You may download the I-9 Form.
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