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 SPRING 2008 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT END OF SEMESTER NOTES
California State University , Sacramento

The spring semester will be ending on May 23, 2008 and finals will be held from May 19-23, 2008. We hope that the following information answers many of the routine questions that you may have at this time of the academic year. In addition, there are several new developments that have occurred over the past two months, so we encourage everyone to read this newsletter thoroughly. As usual, we encourage you to visit us to discuss your future plans, and to ask any questions that you may have. We wish you a most successful end of the semester.

CONTENTS (listed in order of appearance):

• OGE NEWS REMINDERS AND UPDATES
• REMEDIAL ENGLISH/MATH COURSES (Undergraduate Students only)
• Fall 2008 REGISTRATION
• HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
• INFORMATION FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS (May/Summer 2008)
• NEW! OPT & H1B REGULATIONS, REPORTING REQUIRMENTS, & EXTENSIONS
• VACATION TRAVEL IN THE US
• VACATION TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE US
• SEVIS REMINDERS

1. OGE News Reminders and Updates
Our normal office hours 8-12 and 1-5 will be in effect through the rest of the academic year. Summer hours will be 7:30 -12 and 12:30 -4 for June 2 – August 22 nd. Our office will be open throughout the summer vacation and we invite you to visit if you have questions, concerns, or need our assistance. In addition, some OGE staff may take their vacations during the summer so please contact us regarding staff availability. Our advisors make every effort to ensure someone will be available to assist you.

• Reminders - Addresses: We did a recent survey of student records and found that many students are not updating their changes of address with our office. Within 10 days of changing your address you will need to BOTH update your university record in My SacState AND inform the OGE of address changes. We are required to update your SEVIS immigration records and will not be able to do so unless you specifically inform us of your move. If you did not inform the OGE directly when you last moved, please email us now with your new contact information.

• Updates – New OPT & H1b Regulations: There have been several new developments in the Optional Practical Training program. If you will soon be graduating, please read this section carefully.

• Updates – Health Insurance: Health insurance holds will be placed on student records in July. In order to ensure that all students have enrolled in quality insurance programs, we have thoroughly reviewed the minimum qualifications for non-campus health insurance policies. We have also recently completed a detailed review of some of the most common international student policies. Insurance policies which may have been accepted in the past, may no longer meet the minimum criteria. Before purchasing or renewing any non-campus health insurance policy, please confirm with the OGE if the policy will be approved.

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2. REMEDIAL ENGLISH AND MATH COURSES (Undergraduate Students Only)
Undergraduate international students placed in remedial English (LS 86 – 87) and / or Math (LS 7A – 10B) courses must remember that the CSU Chancellor’s Office requires completion of all such courses during the student’s first academic year at California State University, Sacramento. Failure to successfully complete this remedial work during the first academic year will lead to disenrollment from the university.

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3. SPRING 2008 REGISTRATION: Spring Semester Classes begin January 28, 2008.

Registration and Fee Deadlines:

Register April 21 – May 8: Fees Due 5/15
Register May 15-23: Fees Due 6/5
Register June 9 – July 10: Fees Due 7/11
Register July 11 - 31: Fees Due 8/14
Register August 18 - 26: Fees Due 8/27
Register August 27,28 or Sept 2-11: Fees Due 9/12

Note: The CSU Chancellors Office has not finalized the fall semester fees – the fee amounts currently listed on your My SacState accounts are subject to change. We expect the registration fee to increase once the state budget is passed and the Chancellors office determines the student registration fees for next year. This usually occurs sometime in June. Please continue to review your My SacState accounts over the summer to ensure that you submit any additional fees by the deadline.

The following are a few helpful notes regarding fall 2008 registration.

Maximum Non- Resident Tuition Charged per Academic Year: Non-resident students (international or others) are not required to pay fees for more than 30 units per academic year (fall + spring semesters). This rule may assist those of you planning on registering for more than 30 units total when paying your Spring 2009 fees.

Full-time enrollment: International students must maintain full-time enrollment (12 units for undergraduates/9 units for graduates). Less than full-time enrollment may be acceptable if the student has fewer units remaining to complete the degree. Students intending to register for less than a full-time loadmust visit their advisor in the OGE.

Graduate Students: Graduate students who have enrolled for all degree requirements (including the thesis, project, or exam) but who have not completed one of these culminating requirements must enroll in at least 1 unit for credit through regular university enrollment( NOT “Continuous Enrollment”) in order to maintain full-time status. It is also important to remember that graduate students must obtain department permission to register for courses whose numbers are 299, 500, or 502 among others.

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HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS: New Review Process
As you know, it is mandatory for all international students to maintain adequate health insurance coverage for the duration of their studies in the US . Health insurance registration holds will be placed in July on student records showing that the current health insurance policy is expiring prior to January 2009. Once the registration hold has been placed on your record, you will not be able to add / drop courses and will be ineligible for benefits (ie work) until new health insurance coverage is presented to the OGE.

I. Purchasing the CSU Health Insurance for International Students
International students are strongly encouraged to purchase the CSU International Student Health Insurance policy which greatly exceeds the minimum requirements for health insurance coverage. The CSU International Student Health Insurance policy is administered by Wells Fargo of California Insurance Services, Inc. and uses Anthem / Blue Cross as the insurance provider. Anthem / Blue Cross is universally accepted by US doctors and their provider network of physicians is extensive.

Coverage Dates and Cost:
Fall semester: 8/15/08 – 1/22/09        Cost: $312
Spring semester: 1/22/09 – 8/15/09   Cost: $424
Annual / Full Year: 8/15/08 – 8/15/09  Cost: $727

To purchase the CSU International Student Health Insurance policy:

• Online: The Fall 2008 or Annual 2008-09 policy is now available to purchase online at www.csuhealthlink.com. Select Sacramento State as the university and the policy is the “Sacramento State International” plan.

• In person: Coming Soon! You will be able to purchase this policy from the ASI Business Office located on the 3 rd floor of the University Union once the brochures and enrollment forms arrive from the printer later this month.

II. All Other Insurance Policies
We have noticed that in recent years many overseas international student health insurance/travel insurance policies have been reducing their medical coverage benefits and increasing their list of excludable medical treatment options in order to keep costs low.

If you are considering renewing/purchasing a policy other than the CSU International Student Health Insurance policy, then the policy must be pre-approved by a Global Education Advisor to ensure that it meets the minimum requirements for coverage. Pre-approval should be sought BEFORE you renew/ purchase any policy other than the CSU International Student Health Insurance. Insurance policies which may have been approved for a previous semester may not be accepted for fall 2008.

NOTE: If you currently have on file one of the policies which will no longer be acceptable and it expires in January or later, we will accept this policy for the fall semester. However, we will not accept any renewals/future purchases for policies which are no longer acceptable.

III. For a comparison of minimum coverage requirements and the CSU International Student Health Insurance policy, please see our website at http://www.csus.edu/oge/New_Intl_Health.html.

5. INFORMATION FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS (MAY/SUMMER 2008)
CONGRATULATIONS! We extend our sincere congratulations on your achievements and best wishes for future success to students who will be graduating in May and August 2008. Here is some additional information that will be helpful for you:

Spring Commencement Ceremonies: Ceremonies will be held on at various times on Friday, May 23rd and Saturday, May 24th at ARCO Arena. Please access the university’s commencement web page at www.csus.edu/commence/ for complete details concerning the scheduled commencement programs. Caps and gowns are available at the ASI Business Office (278-7916) on the third floor of the University Union.

Verification of Graduation: Do not plan to leave the US until after you have received your final grades and have had the opportunity to meet with an evaluator to confirm your graduation. Those of you who need a verification of your graduation prior to your departure from the United States should contact the OGE after final grades are posted in early June 2008.

Final Transcripts: Before departing the US (or the Sacramento area), please order a few copies of your final transcript (with degree posted). It may prove useful to you when you seek employment, or when you apply for another academic program. Transcripts are more difficult to obtain when you cannot apply in person.

Diploma: Before leaving the Sacramento area, it is critical that you notify the Admissions and Records office as to the location where you wish your diploma to be mailed (if it is different from the address you listed on your graduation contract). It is advisable, if at all possible, that your diploma be mailed initially to an US address. It can then be repackaged and mailed to your overseas address. Diplomas mailed directly overseas sometimes do not reach their destination.

Notify OGE of Planned Date of Departure from the US: Those of you who plan to return to your home country after completion of your degree requirements (and do not intend to return to the US to resume studies at another level) should notify OGE staff of their expected date of departure from the US . OGE staff must update your SEVIS record accordingly. We would greatly appreciate your leaving a forwarding address with us prior to your departure from Sacramento.

Optional Practical Training (May or August completion): Students planning to work on OPT after completion of all degree requirements and who have not already applied for OPT should visit the OGE for forms and instructions. Students may apply for OPT up to 90 days prior to completion and up to 60 days after completion (at the latest). It is taking about 3 months for the USCIS office in Laguna Niguel , California to process applications for OPT. Students are not permitted to begin practical training until after USCIS approval has been granted.

NOTE: There are several new regulations which affect all students on their initial 12 months of OPT. Please carefully read section 6 below regarding these new rules, reporting requirements, unemployment restrictions and extension benefits.

In addition, it is important for students applying for OPT to remember the following:

Looking for Employment After Graduation : With the new OPT regulations monitoring your days of unemployment while on OPT, it is more important that ever to begin your job search early. The following tips may prove useful:

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6. NEW! OPT & H1b REGULATIONS, REPORTING REQUIRMENTS, & EXTENSIONS
As some have heard, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently published in the Federal Register, an Interim Final Rule which modifies F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) regulations. Written comments will be accepted by the DHS until June 9, 2009 . A Final Rule should be available soon thereafter.

There are three categories of changes listed below – Please read each category carefully.

1. Initial 12 Months of OPT
2. H1b “Cap Gap” Extensions of Duration of Status & Work Authorization until October 1
3. 17-Month Extension of OPT (up to 29 Months) for Degree Holders in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM)

I. INITIAL 12 MONTHS OF OPT:
ALL students planning on applying for OPT should read this section carefully

There are a few changes to reporting requirements and employment conditions during an initial 12-Month Period of OPT. OPT students will be required to report the following to the OGE within 10 days:

• Official change of your name
• Change of address
• Any change of immigration status
• Permanent departure from the US to return to your home country

New Employment Requirements: In addition, new OPT regulations state that maintenance of F-1 OPT status is now dependent upon employment. After the initial OPT has been approved by USCIS, students may not be unemployed for more than a total of 90 days without jeopardizing their status. Any days of unemployment prior to April 8, 2008 will not be counted towards the total number allowed. However, more than 90 days of unemployment AFTER April 8, 2008 , may affect eligibility for future benefits.

It is important that OPT students report the following employment information with the OGE so that we may make the required updates to your SEVIS record within 10 days:

• Employer name and address when hired.
• Termination of employment.
• New employer name and address when resuming employment.

Note: Employment while on initial 12 month OPT does not have to be paid employment. A student who is self employed (ie performance majors with regular “gigs”), interning or volunteering in a position directly related to his/her academic field would be considered as “employed” to meet requirements. Information about these positions needs to be reported to the OGE.

II. H1B “CAP GAP”: Extensions of Duration of Status & Work Authorization until October 1

In the past, students whose OPT authorization expired before the H1b start date would have to seek alternative study options in order to maintain their immigration status through October 1 st – or students would depart the US and return after the H1b went into effect.

Under the new rule, the F-1 status of a student on OPT as well as his/her work authorization will be extended through September 30th when the student’s employer has “timely filed” an H-1B petition with an October 1 st employment start date and the application has been selected / approved. This extension of status / work authorization applies to all Majors (not just STEM majors, see below). The extension of status for the F-1 student also applies to the duration of status of his/her F-2 dependents.

In order to be eligible for this benefit, the student must not have violated the terms or condition of his/her nonimmigrant status.

Please contact the OGE regarding any additional steps / data fixes that may be required to extend your status / work authorization. Depending on the status of your H1b application, the procedures for the extension vary.

III. 17 MONTH EXTENSION OF OPT (up to 29 Months total) for Degree Holders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM majors)

A General Information: International students currently approved for 12-months of initial Optional Practical Training who have graduated with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in certain STEM fields and are employed may be eligible to apply for a one-time 17-month extension of their initial 12-month OPT (for a total 29 months).

B. Student Eligibility Requirements: All of the following eligibility requirements must be met to qualify for the 17-month extension.

1. Fields of study: In order to be eligible for the 17-month extension, applicants must be currently engaged in a 12-month initial period of OPT based on a designated STEM degree. Previous periods of authorized OPT or previous degrees are not applicable. STEM approved fields of study are currently limited to the following majors:
   • Computer Science
   • Biological Sciences
   • Chemistry
   • Mathematics
   • Statistics
   • Physical Science
   • Geology
   • Physics
   • Engineering (Civil, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, and Software)
2. Completion of Academic Degree: The applicant must have successfully GRADUATED with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or doctoral degree in one of the above fields.
   
   Note: Graduate students who have met all requirements for the Master’s degree with the exception of the Thesis or Project, but have not graduated yet, are NOT eligible for this benefit.
3. Employment / Field of Employment: The applicant must be currently working for a US employer in a position directly related to their field of study. The employment used as the basis for the 17-month extension must be “paid employment”. Unpaid employment will not be considered employment justifying the 17-month extension.
4. Previous Unemployment: OPT students cannot be unemployed for more than 90 days during their initial 12-month period of OPT (unemployment days prior to April 8, 2008 will not be considered). Students with more than 90 days of unemployment during their initial 12- months of OPT may be considered out of status by the USCIS and will have applications for future benefits denied. Days of unemployment will be calculated beginning on the day of OPT approval by USCIS.
5. Reporting Requirements: OPT students must agree to meet all mandatory reporting requirements during their approved 17-month extension (please refer to the attached “Student Responsibilities and Reporting Requirements” for list of requirements).

II. Employer Eligibility Requirements:

1. One time only: The 17-month extension is available only once during a student’s lifetime. A student is NOT eligible to receive an extension more than once, regardless of degree level.

2. One period only: The extension can only be granted in one 17-month period; the extension cannot be “split” into 2 periods.

3. Previous OPT / degrees: An OPT extension must be based on a currently authorized period of OPT after completion of a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in one of the designated STEM fields. Non-STEM fields are not eligible for the extension. Previous degrees in STEM areas are also not eligible.

4. Unemployment: Students granted a 17-month OPT extension may not accrue more than 120 days of unemployment during the total 29-month OPT period (initial OPT + extension of OPT).

5. Change of Employer: Students may change employers after being approved for a 17 month extension. Change of employer is not advised while the extension application is pending as the I-765 lists a specific employer.

6. Multiple Employers: After applying for an extension, students may NOT be concurrently employed with a non-E-Verify employer. While on a 17-month extension, students are only allowed to be employed by employers who are registered with E-Verify.

IV. Application Period / Authorized Employment Period
Applications for the 17-month extension must be filed BEFORE the expiration of the OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by the USCIS for the initial 12-month period of OPT. The authorized employment for the 17-month extension will begin on the day after the expiration of the 12-month initial OPT EAD and will end 17 months later regardless of the date the extension is approved. If the I-765 is properly filed before the current OPT EAD expires, the student’s employment authorization is considered automatically extended for up to 180 days while the EAD application is pending.

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7. VACATION TRAVEL IN THE US
If your summer plans include travel within the US (especially by air) please plan to take your immigration documents with you (passport, I-94, SEVIS I-20 or SEVIS DS 2019). You do not need to obtain a signature on your SEVIS I-20 for travel within the US . Please remember that travel to Canada and Mexico is considered “foreign” travel. Please refer to the next section for details.

8. VACATION TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE US
We recommend that you plan to return to Sacramento prior to the start of the fall semester on September 2, 2008.

Passport: Please check your passport to make certain that it is still valid. If it is not valid, or if it will expire within the next few months, please contact your home country’s consulate (or embassy) in order to obtain the necessary extension application forms and procedures.

NSEERS (National Security Entry Exit Registration System): Just a reminder that any student subject to NSEERS requirements (registered in the US government’s NSEERS database) must report his actual departure from the US to a CBP Inspector at a Designated Port of Departure on the day of departure.

Travel Signatures: Please remember to bring your SEVIS I-20 / DS 2019 to your advisor at the OGE to obtain the necessary travel signature and supporting documents. Please do not wait until the day before your scheduled travel to visit your advisor at OGE.

F-1 and J-1 Visa Stamps: Inorder to reenter the US after your trip, you will need a valid F-1 or J-1 visa. Please check your visa to see if it will be valid upon reentry and whether or not you have a visa for multiple entries. US visa stamps cannot be extended within the US . This procedure must be completed at a US embassy or consulate abroad.

Students Whose F-1/J-1 Visas Have Expired: Students who need to extend their F-1 / J-1 visas should carefully plan their travel (time in home country and proper assembly of supporting documentation). US law mandates US embassies / consulates to subject all visa applicants to a personal interview and rarely offer expedited application service. In addition students from a number of countries are required to undergo a “background check” before visa issuance (which can take 30 days or more). We urge every student intending to apply for a new visa to visit the web page of the US embassy/consulate they plan to visit to obtain accurate information on visa application procedures and processing times. Please keep in mind that winter break is a short vacation.

Traveling Outside of the US while on Optional Practical Training: Staff members of the OGE are often asked by students whether or not they can travel outside of the US during their period of authorized Optional Practical Training (OPT). The answer is yes, however there are a few additional requirements. In order to re-enter the US , a student authorized to undergo a period of OPT must present the following:

a. Valid passport
b. Valid F-1 visa
c. Recently endorsed SEVIS I-20 (by authorized OGE staff)
d. Valid OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
e. Letter from employer confirming suitable employment has been offered or is being    maintained.

If all documents are valid and properly endorsed and the individual is able to present a letter from his/her employer few problems are expected. However, students whose visas are no longer valid must understand that the renewal process is not automatic. It is not unusual for consular officers at US embassies or consulates to deny requests for visa extensions when the intent is to return to “work” (even though the work is authorized). In addition, a letter from the "employer” is mandatory. Please keep in mind that the immigration officer is allowing the student to return to the US to “resume his/her practical training”.

9. SEVIS REMINDERS
In the SEVIS electronic reporting environment, it continues to be important to pay attention to the “details” of immigration status maintenance.
Please review the following reminders carefully:

a. Maintain full-time enrollment at all times (12 units for undergraduates and 9 units for graduate students);

b. No more than one course (3 units) per semester of online or distance education classes may be counted towards the full course of study requirement.

c. Do not drop or withdraw from one or more classes at any time during the semester if this drop or withdrawal will result in your enrollment in less than a full-time academic load.

d. Although concurrent enrollment (part-time registration at another local academic institution while enrolled at California State University , Sacramento ) is permissible, pre-authorization by your OGE advisor is mandatory. In addition, official proof of enrollment at the “concurrent” institution must be provided to OGE before the SEVIS registration process can be completed.

e. Notify the OGE of any change of address within 10 days of moving. The advisor in the OGE will submit this information electronically to SEVIS

f. Students planning to transfer to another US institution should let their advisor in the OGE know. We must release your SEVIS record to the transfer school before its international officer can issue you a new SEVIS I-20 or clear you for on-campus work

The Entire Staff of the Office of Global Education extends its best wishes to each of you for a successful end of the spring of 2008 and an enjoyable summer vacation.

Office of Global Education Staff:
Dr. Jack Godwin, Director
Ms. Tracey Culbertson, International Student Advisor
Ms. Lori Harrison, Administrative Assistant
Mr. Eric Merchant, Coordinator, International Students/Programs
Ms. Jennifer Narodzonek, International Admissions Specialist
Ms. Janis Silvers, Study Abroad Advisor
Ms. Mlima Wells, Coordinator of International Admissions
Global Education Student Assistants

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