| In
This Issue
· Information for students completing studies this Spring
OISS News
·
Share Your Happy Moments!
Upcoming Events
· May
6 - Wellness House cookout
· May
7 - North Shore Trip
· May
10 - Students United for
Africa Meeting
· May
13 - OISS End of the Year Picnic
· May
18 - Allianz Life Talent Expo
· May
19 - OISS Graduation Reception
Interesting Articles
· Commuter
Center Events
· Full-time UST MBA program to host campus visits, informational open houses
· Life/Work
Center Newsletter
· Wellness
House Newsletter
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Information
for students completing studies this Spring
FOR STUDENTS COMPLETING THEIR COURSE OF STUDIES AT THE END OF THE
SPRING SEMESTER
For students who are completing your course of study at the end of
this Spring Semester you have the following options under current
Immigration Rules and Regulations:
1. You may return back to your home country and you have 60 days
after graduation or until July 20, 2005 to depart the United
States.
2. You may continue your studies by applying for and being accepted
for a higher level of study or the possibility of changing your
program within the same level you are in now. You need to talk with
an advisor in OISS to make sure you qualify for this opportunity and
to start the process of obtaining a new SEVIS I-20. In both cases you
would need to be accepted either here at St. Thomas or in a different
US university within the 60 days following the completion of your
program. You would be expected to be a full time student beginning in
the Fall Semester of 2005.
3. You may change your visa if you qualify e.g. H-1, J-1, or
Permanent Resident. If you qualify you need to apply for this visa
change within the 60 days following the completion of your program
(before July 20, 2005).
4. You are eligible for one year of Optional Practical Training
(OPT), which means you may stay in the United States and work in a
field related to your major course of study listed on your I-20. To
follow this program you need to set up an appointment with an advisor
in OISS to begin the paperwork for the Immigration Department. You do
not need to have a job in hand to apply. You need to be sure that you
are going to complete your studies by May 21. We recommend that you
apply now since the Immigration Department must receive your OPT
application before May 21, 2005 and it has been taking about 3 to 4
months to receive the EAD card, which is required to work during OPT.
A student completing a course of study at the end of Spring semester
2005 may not apply for OPT after May 21, 2005. Please see an OISS
advisor if you have any questions or concerns.
Congratulations to students who are completing their
degree/certificate program at St. Thomas!
 Deborah
Knaust
Director
Office of International Student Services
University of St. Thomas
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