10 Rules for Success at IUPUI

1. 10 Rules for Success at IUPUI How to keep your visa status legal!

2. Rule 1: Always check your IUPUI email! • Your IUPUI email address is extremely important. Check it at least three times per week, or set it up to forward to your personal account. (http://itaccounts.iu.edu) • Consider organizing your mailbox to make it easier to manage. • If you move or get a new phone number, be sure to update the information in OneStart. Always update the “Local Address” field! • You are responsible for the information contained in our communications, even if you don’t read them.

3. Rule 2: Always enroll Fulltime ! • Undergraduates = 12 credits • Graduates = 8 credits • Graduates with SAA = 6 credits* • JD students = 10 credits • MD or Dentistry students = whatever your department tells you * What is an SAA? Usually includes monthly stipend, tuition remission, health insurance, 15-20 hours of work/week

4. Rule 2 continued… Do: • Enroll full-time every fall and spring semester. (Summers are optional.) • Check that your classes actually appear on your record in OneStart. • Talk to your academic advisor before registering. • Realize that OIA will be required to terminate your visa record if you underenroll without permission. This would mean you could be arrested and removed from the country. You would also lose all employment authorizations. • Refer back to Rule 1! Don’t: • Expect your Academic Advisor to be aware of your visa requirements • Wait until the last moment to talk with us if you believe you cannot take full credits

5. Rule 2 continued… What counts towards full-time enrollment? • 1 Online course per semester (but only 1!) • EAP Classes • Classes at another campus—but you must keep at least 1 credit at IUPUI and you must submit a form and a copy of your enrollment to OIA so we can verify you are registered full-time! What doesn’t count towards full-time enrollment? • Waitlisted courses • Additional online courses (after the first) • Incomplete courses from previous semesters • Administrative Withdrawals—be careful of these! Refer back to Rule 1!

6. Rule 2 continued… When can you under-enroll? • Academic Difficulties (only once, must keep half!) • Medical Recommendation (one year total) • Final Semester • Final Semester of Classes before Research (for Graduate students with thesis/dissertation/final project only) • Emergency requiring you to depart the US for semester Must receive OIA approval! • Submit appropriate form to our office and wait for our approval notice. See details at http://iservices.iupui.edu/visas/maintain-status/less-than-full-time/index.html.

7. Rule 2 Continued BEWARE! • OIA approval to drop a course is not the same as actually withdrawing from the course. • After receiving OIA approval, the student must work with their academic advisor and the Office of the Registrar to complete the withdrawal process. • Failure to withdraw from a course can result in failing grades awarded at the end of the semester.

8. Rule 3: Understand your visa documents and keep them valid What is SEVIS? • Student and Exchange Visitor Information System • Tracks all F and J immigration records • OIA reports your enrollment every fall and spring semester • You must report your address (Use “Local Address” field in OneStart) • If we have to terminate your SEVIS record, immigration offices will immediately see that information and may act on it.

9. Rule 3 continued… I-20 form (F-1) Do not let this form expire! Remember this end date is an estimate. Your actual end date may differ.

10. Rule 3 continued…DS-2019 (J-1) Don’t let this form expire! Remember this end date is an estimate. Your actual end date may differ.

11. Rule 3 continued…The Visa Stamp-Your ticket to enter the US Canadian citizens will not get a visa Springfield Simpson Homer DONUT1234 It is ok for this visa stamp to expire while you remain in the US!

12. Rule 3 continued…The I-94 card-Much more important than it looks! FIN#1234567890 Must show “D/S”! Check your dependents’ documents, too. Do you have a FIN number? SIMPSON HOMER

13. Rule 3 continued…Extensions, Renewals and Changes • Will your passport expire while you are here? If yes, contact your home embassy for renewal instructions at least 6 months before expiration. • Do you need more time to finish your program? If yes, submit an extension request at least 2 months before your I-20 or DS-2019 will expire.*(Refer back to Rule 1!) • Have you changed majors? If yes, request a new I-20 form from the Office of International Affairs (OIA).* • Have you changed your name? If yes, contact OIA for instructions on updating your records. • Were your documents lost or stolen? Notify OIA immediately for advice on replacing them. *You can request these actions in iStart (http://istart.iu.edu)

14. Rule 4: Prepare in advance for travel! • Travel Checklist in your folders • Travel signature on I-20 and DS-2019 forms* • Letter of Good Standing* • Read visa info on our website • Need a third country visa? Transit visa? • Special rules for travel to Canada and Mexico • Schedule lots of time between flights for Customs *Request these in iStart (http://istart.iu.edu)

15. Rule 5: Never work without proper authorization! • Only students maintaining their status are eligible for work permission. • Never accept an offer for off-campus employment without proper authorization • If you are caught working without proper authorization, you can lose your visa status and it may be extremely difficult for you to finish your degree. • Learn more about employment at our workshop: How to Get a Job and Keep it Legal Thursday, January 3rd 3-4:30 PM Campus Center (CE) 307

16. Rule 5 continued…On-Campus Employment • Limit your total on-campus employment to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. • You can work full-time during breaks or during summer vacation. • Obtain On-Campus Employment handout from OIA for more details or visit the OIA website. • Be careful of jobs at the medical school or hospitals. If in doubt, ask an advisor!

17. Rule 5 continued…Optional Practical Training (OPT) • F-1 students • Optional Practical Training (OPT) is one year of work permission used to gain practical experience in your field of study. • Can be used during or after your degree program. (Must complete 1 academic year before eligible.) • F-1 students can qualify for new period of 12 months of optional practical training (OPT) after each higher degree level of study.

18. Rule 5 continued…Curricular Practical Training (CPT) • F-1 Students • Used for an optional or required internship • Must be considered an “integral part” of your academic program, which means it requires registration in a course. • Additional options may exist for Graduate students with a thesis/dissertation/final project

19. Rule 5 continued…Economic Hardship • F-1 and J-1 students • Only an option in severe cases. • Issued by the USCIS, not OIA (F-1 students) • One year of employment authorization to work anywhere in the US: 20 hours per week during semesters, more during breaks. • If you lose part of your funding, make an appointment with an advisor as soon as possible—don’t wait until it is too late!

20. Rule 5 continued…Academic Training (AT) • J-1 Students • Academic Training is employment authorization issued for variable lengths of time that allow you to gain experience in your field of study • Can be used during or after degree program

21. Rule 5 continued…Social Security Numbers • You are only eligible for an SSN if you have been offered employment and you are authorized to accept that employment • To obtain an SSN, you need two letters from the University: • Letter from your employer (sample letter on the OIA website) • OIA letter (request through iStart) • Visit OIA to pick up your letter. Bring the letter from your employer for verification. • Take both letters to the SSA to apply for your SSN • Once you have an SSN card, keep it! It is yours for life, but it can be difficult to reissue the card in the future

22. Rule 6: Make sure you and your dependents have health insurance • Aetna policy: www.aetnastudenthealth.com • You will be billed every Spring and Fall semester that you are enrolled in your program. Spring and Summer are billed together and cannot be separated. • Spring 2013 - $701 (Covering January 1 – August 9) • Charge will appear on your Bursar account about 2 weeks after the semester begins. • About 2 weeks after you are billed, you will receive your health insurance card • Even though you do not have your insurance card now, you are already covered under this policy!

23. Rule 6 continued…Waivers Insurance Waiver Request= a request to not be a part of the IUPUI mandatory insurance plan • To qualify, you must meet the waiver requirements: The date requirements are as follows: • Fall policies cover 8/15 through 12/31 • Spring policies cover 1/01 through 8/9 The minimum coverage requirements for waiver approval are as follows: • $50,000 coverage for each sickness • $50,000 coverage for each injury • $10,000 medical evacuation to home country • $7,500 repatriation of remains to home country • Deductible (or excess fee) not more than $500 per sickness or injury (per person) • $100,000 lifetime policy maximum (at least) • Maternity Benefits (Female students only)

24. Rule 6 continued…Know the deadlines! • If you do not have an insurance plan that meets the waiver requirements, then you must be on the IUPUI mandatory insurance plan. • WAIVER DEADLINE: January 17 NO EXCEPTIONS! • Every semester the deadline is 10 days after classes begin. • Waivers are filed at istart.iu.edu • A new waiver must be filed every semester to prevent billing • Refer back to Rule 1!

25. Rule 6 continued…Automatic Waivers Automatic Waivers will be granted to students who are in any of the following categories: • Saudi Arabian students sponsored by SABIC or the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission • Graduate students with an assistantship (student academic appointment at .375 FTE or higher) or a fellowship (semester stipend of $3,230 or greater). If you fall into this category, you will be on a different insurance plan paid for by your academic department. • J-1 students whose program sponsor is not IUPUI, and whose program sponsor provides insurance coverage If you do not fall into one on of the above categories, and wish to be waived from the Mandatory Insurance plan, then you must file a waiver through iStart.iu.edu.

26. Rule 6 continued…Resources • Billing and Waiver Questions iadvisor@iupui.edu international.iupui.edu • Coverage Questions (policy details, dependent enrollment, claims assistance, insurance cards) Tonya McCray, Laura Sargent Studenhc@indiana.edu

27. Rule 7: File tax forms each year • Generally if you make US income you will file an individual tax return the following year. If you don’t make US income, you will file simpler paperwork. (But everyone must file something!) • The filing deadline is April 15 of each year. • OIA will send a Tax Newsletter to all international students in February of each year. (Refer back to Rule 1!) • OIA will have workshops in March or April to assist you. If you have been employed, please make sure to attend!

28. Rule 7 continued…How do taxes work? You complete a W-4 Form before starting your job Based on W-4, an estimated amount of tax is taken from your paychecks You either owe more tax, or get a refund You file a tax return by April 15th When the year ends, you receive a W-2 0r 1042-S form showing the taxes paid that year

29. Rule 7 continued…Tax treaties • Some countries have Tax Treaties with the U.S. which reduce the amount of tax owed. • Examples: P.R. China, S. Korea, Germany, Japan, France, etc. • Read more about tax treaties in our online Handbook, which includes important links to forms and treaty lists.

30. Rule 7 continued…Scholarships and fellowships • Fellowships and scholarships dedicated to tuition and fees are generally not taxable. Amounts in excess of these expenses are taxable. • A fellowship or scholarship does not make you eligible for an SSN. If your country has a tax treaty which would give you a tax benefit, you can apply for an Individual Tax ID Number (ITIN). • The taxable amount of the award is deducted at the start of each semester in one lump sum—plan ahead to avoid problems.

31. Rule 7 continued…Resources • The principle office responsible for taxes at IUPUI is Financial Management Services (FMS). You can contact them with questions at taxpayer@indiana.edu. • On the IUPUI campus Deb Esworthy is available to assist with tax questions by appointment. You may contact her at desworth@iupui.edu or 274-4947. • OIA can assist you in obtaining an ITIN if you are otherwise eligible. Contact Mary Upton at maupton@iupui.edu for details.

32. Rule 8: Know the laws that apply to your dependents F-2 Dependents (Spouse or children) • Cannot be employed under any circumstances • Volunteering is ok • Adults cannot study, with the exception of part-time English language classes or “recreational” courses • May change to F-1 status if admitted to an academic program, but this can take months to be processed • Children may attend primary and secondary schools • See our handbook for resources

33. Rule 8 continued…More information J-2 Dependents (Spouse or children) • Adults may apply for employment authorization card • Adults and children may study full or part time while in J-2 status • If J-1 is subject to the 2 year home residency requirement, so are dependents

34. Rule 9: Obey the law! Being arrested and/or convicted of even minor offenses can have serious consequences: • Delay or denial of future visa stamps • Delay or denial of future immigration benefits within the US • In severe cases, removal from the US • See handout in folder for additional information Some Tips: • Never use a fake ID. • Never claim to be a US citizen • Don’t sign up for government financial aid programs, also called “public assistance” (This includes subsidized housing)

35. Rule 9 continued…Some Laws to Know Alcohol and other substances: • Drinking age is 21, and is strictly enforced. • Tobacco is legal, but cannot be used in most public locations. • Other types of non-medical drugs are prohibited. Assault and battery: • Assault is the threat of harmful contact. • Battery is the harmful contact. • Cases are treated the same whether between friends, family members, or complete strangers. • Excessive unwanted phone calls and visits can be considered harassment. For people with children: • Young children cannot be left home alone. • Young children cannot be left unattended in public. • Children are required to use car seats and booster seats until age 8 in Indiana.

36. Rule 9 continued…More Laws In the car: • All drivers must carry auto insurance. • The legal definition of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is very strict. It is considered a very serious offense. • Excessive speeding can be considered Reckless Driving. • The driver and all passengers MUST wear seatbelts. • Cars are required to yield to pedestrians. • Having multiple unpaid tickets may lead to a suspended license. • Never try to bribe a police officer or flee the scene to avoid a traffic ticket. Miscellaneous: • You must have a license to go hunting and fishing. • Gun ownership also requires a license, and non-citizens are not eligible. • A signature carries great legal importance in the US. Always read through papers before providing your signature.

37. Rule 10: Remember that OIA should be your first stop for immigration advice • Your friends are not immigration experts! • OIA services are free—attorneys cost money (and often they are not familiar with F-1 or J-1 regulations and procedures). • Don’t try to get answers to standard questions directly from the government offices. Ask OIA first. • Casey, Amy, Angela, Sandra, and the other OIA staff members are here to help you! • If you are worried about your status, see us as soon as possible. The earlier we meet, the more likely we can provide help. • Call 274-7000 to schedule an appointment, Check our website for walk-in advising hours, or email us at iadvisor@iupui.edu.

38. Dinner Time!! Those of you interested in joining our volunteers for dinner tonight, please wait in the lobby outside for an announcement. Have a great evening, and good luck on your placement tests tomorrow! 