EAP Student Handbook

EAP students in these levels will take the following classes:

• Reading (5 hours per week)
• Writing (5 hours per week)
• Speaking (5 hours per week)
• Listening (5hours per week)

EAP students in Level B2* will take the following classes:

• Reading (5 hours per week)
• Grammar & Academic Discourse I (5 hours per week)
• Communication Skills I (5 hours per week)
• University Preparation I (5 hours per week)

*This level is the exit level  for undergraduate students.

EAP students in Level B2+* will take the following classes:

• Reading & Research (5 hours per week)
• Grammar & Academic Discourse II (5 hours per week)
• Communication Skills II (5 hours per week)
• University Preparation II (5hours per week)

*This level is only open to graduate students or students with at least 30 hours of university course work.

*This level is the exit level for graduate students.

EAP students who start the program with a level below A1 will take an additional corequisite class to acquire basic English while taking EAP A2 classes:

• EAP A1 INTRO (5 hours per week)
• EAP A2 Reading (5 hours per week)
• EAP A2 Writing (5 hours per week)
• EAP A2 Speaking (5 hours per week)
• EAP A2 Listening (5hours per week)

• 0900-1130 
  • EAP A2 Listening
  • EAP B1 Listening
  • EAP B2 University Preparation I
  • EAP B2+ University Preparation II
• 1130-1250 
  • Lunch Break
• 1250-1520 
  • EAP A2 Speaking
  • EAP B1 Speaking
  • EAP B2 Communication Skills I
  • EAP B2+ Communication Skills II

• 0900-1130 
  • EAP A2 Reading
  • EAP B1 Reading
  • EAP B2 Reading
  • EAP B2+ Reading & Research
• 1130-1250 
  • Lunch Break
• 1250-1520 
  • EAP A2 Writing
  • EAP B1 Writing
  • EAP B2 Writing
  • EAP B2+ Grammar & Academic Discourse

• 0900-1130 
  • EAP A2 Listening
  • EAP B1 Listening
  • EAP B2 University Preparation I
  • EAP B2+ University Preparation II
• 1130-1250 
  • Lunch Break
• 1250-1520 
  • EAP A2 Speaking
  • EAP B1 Speaking
  • EAP B2 Communication Skills I
  • EAP B2+ Communication Skills II

• 0900-1130 
  • EAP A2 Reading
  • EAP B1 Reading
  • EAP B2 Reading
  • EAP B2+ Reading & Research
• 1130-1250 
  • Lunch Break
• 1250-1520 
  • EAP A2 Writing
  • EAP B1 Writing
  • EAP B2 Writing
  • EAP B2+ Grammar & Academic Discourse

• 0900-1130 
  • EAP INTRO (AM)
  • 1130-1250 
    • Lunch Break
• 1250-1520 
  • EAP INTRO (PM)

Initial Placement

• New EAP students take the Linguaskill proficiency test by Cambridge during the orientation period.
• Initial Placement results are communicated to new EAP students by the EAP Director via email the day before classes start.
• New EAP students attend classes in the level determined by the Linguaskill scores during the first week of the term.
• During this first week, New EAP students need to tell their teachers if they find the classes too easy or too difficult.

Final Placement

• During the first week of class, teachers will use more diagnostic activities and watch new students' performance closely.
• At the end of the first week, teachers will meet and report on New EAP students whose placement may need to be adjusted.
• A change in initial placement can only be done by teachers at that time.
• New EAP students will be notified by an email from the EAP Director of the final placement decision. This decision is finals and takes effect the first day of the second week of the term.

Returning EAP Students

• Returning EAP students' level is determined by their final evaluation of the previous term’s coursework unless they interrupt their course of study for one 12-week term, in which case, they must retake the Linguaskill placement tests.

Promotion Policies:

EAP students will progress through levels according to different promotion policies:

EAP Level A1 Intro students:

During the finals period, Intro level students will take a Linguaskill test to confirm they have reached the CEFR Level A1+ by scoring 110 or more.

Full-time students also taking EAP Level A2 as a corequisite will participate in EAP Level A2 assessments to the best of their abilities. If they score no less than 65% on each EAP Level A2 final, they will be promoted to EAP Level A2 without the EAP Intro A1 corequisite. If such a student were to score 75% or more on each EAP Level A2 final, they would be promoted to EAP Level B1.

EAP Levels A2 & B1 students:

Students will be assessed in each core skill throughout the session. The Pass/Not Pass cutoff score is 75% in all skills.

If a students scores 70% to 74.9% in one skills and 75% or more in the other three, conditional promotion to the next level with one-on-one support requirement at the I SUCCEED Center will be granted. The I SUCCEED requirement consists of 12 1-hour sessions focusing on the weaker skill. Sessions will meet weekly during the term and twice a week before midterm and finals week.

If a student scores below 70% in one class or below 75% in two or more classes, they will need to repeat the entire level the following term.

During the finals period, students will take a Linguaskill test to provide support in case of a grade appeal.

EAP Level B2 Undergraduate students (exit):

Students will be assessed in each core skill throughout the session. The Pass/Not Pass cutoff score is 75% in all skills.

If a student scores below 75% in a class, they will need to repeat only the failed class(es) the following term.

Matriculation to MSU will be postponed if the students needs to repeat more than one EAP class.

During the finals period, students will take a Linguaskill test to provide support in case of a grade appeal.

ENG 110 placement for MSU-bound EAP students: 

• Student who get 80% and up on both the class & final IC get recommended for ENG 110
• Students who are borderline 78%-79% on both class & final IC can be recommended for ENG 105, which is the co-requisite class where ENG 100 & 110 are taken in one semester. Anything below goes to ENG 100 during their first semester.

EAP Level B2 Graduate students:

Students will be assessed in each core skill throughout the session. The Pass/Not Pass cutoff score is 75% in all skills.

If a students scores 70% to 74.9% in one skills and 75% or more in the other three, conditional promotion to the next level with one-on-one support requirement at the I SUCCEED Center will be granted. The I SUCCEED requirement consists of 12 1-hour sessions focusing on the weaker skill. Sessions will meet weekly during the term and twice a week before midterm and finals week.

If a student scores below 70% in one class or below 75% in two or more classes, they will need to repeat the entire level the following term.

During the finals period, students will take a Linguaskill test to provide support in case of a grade appeal.

EAP Level B2+ (Grad Exit) students:

Students will be assessed with an exit portfolio. The Pass/Not Pass cutoff score is 75% in each part of the portfolio.

If a students scores below 75% in one of the portfolio assessments, conditional promotion to the next level with one-on-one support requirement at the I SUCCEED Center will be granted. The I SUCCEED requirement consists of 12 1-hour sessions focusing on the weaker skill. Sessions will meet weekly during the term and twice a week before midterm and finals week.

If a student scores below 75% on 2 of the exit portfolio assessments, they will need to repeat only the failed class(es) the following term.

Matriculation to MSU will be postponed if the students needs to repeat one or more EAP B2+ class.

During the finals period, students will take a Linguaskill test to provide support in case of a grade appeal.

Conditional Pass Policy:

When a single skill area (or portfolio assessment) is between 70% and 74.9%, conditional promotion to the next level with a one-on-one support requirement at the I SUCCEED Center will be granted. The I SUCCEED requirement consists of 12 1-hour sessions focusing on the weaker skill. Sessions will meet weekly during the term and twice a week before midterm and finals week.

Conditional promotion can also be granted on a case by case basis following a Grade Appeal process.

Probation Policies:

EAP students who did not pass an entire level, will receive the support of a probation officer during the next term to ensure they can progress to the next level.

EAP students can be on probation a total of three times while in the program.

An EAP student failing more than three times will have their records reviewed by the EAP Director for possible dismissal for failure to make satisfactory progress.

When a dismissal is decided, the EAP will provide support so the student can transfer to a different language program in the US.

Grade Appeal Procedure

If you do not agree with your grade:

1. As part of the email you receive at the end of each session with your final grades, a link is provided to access an online form to file your grade appeal. This link will remain active at least 24 hours until the Appeal Panel meets to discuss your case.
2. The Appeal Panel will decide your case and email you their decision after 5PM the same day. You do not need to come to EAP for this
3. If the Appeal Panel does not decide to change your grade, you can appeal to the ELI Executive Director by writing a formal letter. The ELI Executive Director will make the final decision.

Academic Dishonesty Actions include:

Cheating: The term “cheating” refers to using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, artificial intelligence or study aids in any academic exercise.

Plagiarism: The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work or sections of a work of another person or artificial intelligence without full and clear acknowledgment.

This means you must give credit to any source that you use in any assignment. This includes any material copied directly or paraphrased from the Internet.

The unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person, artificial intelligence, or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials, including material taken from or ordered through the Internet, also constitutes plagiarism.

Facilitating academic dishonesty: Assisting or attempting to assist another to violate any provision of this Academic Integrity Policy, whether or not that action is associated with any particular course, is considered academic dishonesty.

EAP students who do the following are committing Academic Dishonesty. (Please be aware, this is NOT a comprehensive list.)

1. Refer to materials or sources or use devices not authorized by the instructor (e.g., smart phones, smart watches, cheat sheets, calculators, solution manuals, materials from previous classes, commercial research services) or commit any other act of cheating (looking at another’s paper, etc.) during a test.
2. Depend on the aid of others, including other students , tutors or artificial intelligence, in connection with any test or assignment to the extent that the work is not representative of the student’s language abilities.
3. Provide inappropriate aid to another person in connection with any test or assignment, including the unauthorized use of camera phones, text messages, photocopies, notes or other means to copy or photograph materials used or intended for submission.
4. Engage in plagiarism by copying any amount of material from another source without giving credit to the original source.
5. Use materials from the Internet or any other source without full and appropriate citation.
6. Permit your work to be submitted by another person in connection with any test or assignment.
7. Claim credit for or submit work done by another or artificial intelligence.
8. Sign an attendance sheet for another student, allow another student to sign on your behalf, or otherwise participate in gaining credit for attendance for yourself or another.

The EAP follows the standards set by Missouri State University's Academic Integrity Office.

A four-strike warning system will be implemented:

When an academic dishonesty issue is detected at the drafting stage of an assignment (this includes plagiarism or getting outside help), the instructor does not file a formal report. A chance is given to the student to rectify the problem in the final draft of the assignment (this might involve a complete rewrite of the draft in question).

However, any form of academic dishonesty on a final product (including single-draft assignments or homework) will warrant a formal report following the guidelines described below.

The first time a student commits an act of academic dishonesty in a class, the instructor will meet with him/her and will issue a written warning, which will go into the student’s file. The instructor will have the option of giving a zero on the assignment or test in question or of allowing the student to make up the assignment or test.

The second time a student commits an act of academic dishonesty in a class, that instructor will inform the EAP Director, who will then call a meeting with the student and instructor to discuss the situation. The student will be given a second formal warning, which will go into the student’s file. The student will also be given a zero on the assignment or test in question.

The third time a student commits an act of academic dishonesty in a class, the instructor will inform the EAP Director, who will then call a meeting with the student. A third formal warning will be issued and placed into the student’s file. The student will automatically fail the course in which he/she committed the act of academic dishonesty.  To maintain F-1 visa status, the student will still be required to attend the class.

The fourth time a student commits an act of academic dishonesty in a class, the instructor will inform the EAP Director, who will then call a meeting with the student. At this time, the student will be dismissed from the English Language Institute and advised to return home so as not to be out-of-status.

NOTE: This policy applies across skills.

Example: a first warning in Listening class will impact the next warning to be given in Writing class.

In addition, a clear pattern of academic dishonesty which occurs in multiple classes or from session to session can result in dismissal from the EAP at the discretion of the EAP Director.

Program Completion

All undergraduate EAP students meeting all promotion requirements of EAP level B2 in all skills will receive an EAP Completion Certificate indicating:

• The actual number of hours studied in the EAP program.
• The attendance % of the student in the EAP program.
• Confirmation of attainment of CEFR level B2 or higher.
• Confirmation of meeting Missouri State University's English proficiency requirement for Undergraduate studies.

All graduate EAP students meeting all promotion requirements of EAP level B2+ in all skills will receive an EAP Completion Certificate indicating:

• The actual number of hours studied in the EAP program.
• The attendance % of the student in the EAP program.
• Confirmation of attainment of CEFR level B2+ or higher.
• Confirmation of meeting Missouri State University's English proficiency requirement for Graduate studies.

EAP completion certificates are hard-copy certificates. They are available to be picked up in the ELI main office (JDMC 0200) one week after the end of finals each term.

EAP students who leave the program before completing an exit level may request an EAP Attendance Certificate by completing this request form.

EAP Attendance certificates include:

• The actual number of hours studied in the EAP program.
• The attendance % of the student in the EAP program.
• Confirmation of the highest CEFR level attained.

EAP attendance certificates are delivered in pdf format via email only upon request.

Cumulative EAP Transcripts featuring the exact score obtained in every class taken are available upon request via email to ELI@MissouriState.edu at the end of every term.

CO-CURRICULAR

MSU professors are invited to give authentic lectures in their fields of study to EAP students. This is a great way for students to be exposed to a variety of different speakers as well as majors that are offered on campus.

CO-CURRICULAR

The EAP partners with professors on campus to bring our classes together for cultural mixers. Thus far, we have met with students in the following departments: nursing, psychology, JumpStart, kinesiology, and first year programs.

CO-CURRICULAR

The ELI hosts a bi-weekly conversation circle that is free and open to the public. These casual, hour long, conversations are guided by discussion questions related to a new English idiom. Snacks and drinks are also provided.

CO-CURRICULAR

Students will have opportunities to visit places in the local community that relate to their course content. Previous trips include community gardens, urban farms, chocolate factories, and public schools.

EXTRA CURRICULAR

Students have access to a comprehensive calendar of events that includes not only campus and class events, but also community events in the city and wider region. Springfield is the 3rd largest city in the state of Missouri, so there is no lack of events to keep students occupied on the weekends.

EXTRA CURRICULAR

There are many volunteering opportunities in Springfield, and EAP students are invited to join and participate. We provide free transportation to these events. In the past, we have volunteered at Ozarks Food Harvest, Eden Village, Springfield Community Gardens, Springfield Lake, Back to School Bash, The Route 66 Festival, and ArtsFest on historic Walnut Street.

EAP students on F-1 or J-1 visas are required to have health insurance. They will be automatically enrolled with Academic Health Plan each term.

Benefits information can be accessed at https://missouristate.myahpcare.com/benefits

Coverage period starts one month before each term starts and continues through the academic year including all breaks.

Health insurance fees are due on the first day of class each term. EAP students will be notified by email when fees are ready to be paid.

EAP students are strongly encouraged to use the MSU Magers Health & Wellness Center as their primary health care provider.

EAP students who are permanent residents or US citizens, or other immigrant status can choose their insurance provider. They are strongly encouraged to have health insurance.

Key information about health insurance will be provided to all EAP Students during the Orientation period at the beginning of each term.

All EAP students will also experience a Health Care Simulation during orientation. This will help students understand the US health care system better because it is quite different from other countries.

All students who arrive on campus from countries listed on the World Health Organization’s list are required to get tested upon arrival for Tuberculosis (TB).

The staff at the ELI will make these appointments at the Magers Health Center.

For more information about this requirement, please see Tuberculosis Screening/Testing Information for New Students.

Students who are permanent residents or US citizens must also be tested for TB in the United States, but they can do this test at any clinic. We have several suggestions for local clinics.

Students who live on campus in dormitories must get a meningitis vaccine. Students can also bring this vaccination record from their home country if they received the vaccine after the age of 16 and within 5 years of the start of the semester.

For more details about this requirement, please see the Meningococcal Vaccine info page.

For more details about this topic, please see the COVID-19 Information page.

Across the entire United States, the emergency phone number is 911. You can call this number in case of any emergency including:

• • medical emergencies that would require an ambulance

• • • *Please dial 988 for the mental health and suicide hotline.

• • car accidents
  • robbery or burglary
  • house fires
    • *Please be aware that some people in Springfield burn small fires in safe fire pits in their backyards.

• • aggressive dogs at large
  • loud music or noise between the hours of 11pm and 7am
  • fights between humans or assault by another person

Living on campus has many benefits including proximity to campus facilities, meal plans at campus cafeterias, and MSU’s free shuttle bus system.

• For information on housing and meal plan rates: https://reslife.missouristate.edu/Rates.htm
• For the cafeteria’s menu: https://dineoncampus.com/missouristate/whats-on-the-menu
• MSU’s free Bear Line Shuttles can take you around campus and downtown.

For a small monthly fee of only $20, students can become members of the gym on campus. It is called the Foster Recreation Center, and it features a pool, rock climbing wall, basketball courts and much more!

MSU’s Plaster Student Union (PSU) is a large building where students can gather for a variety of purposes. It is like a “mall” but on campus! Here is a short list of the facilities in the PSU:

• Food Court - https://www.missouristate.edu/information/unionvendors.htm
• Game Center - https://www.missouristate.edu/Union/GameCenter/default.htm
• US Post Office - https://www.missouristate.edu/PrintingAndPostal/Postal/contract.htm
• Multicultural Resource Center - https://www.missouristate.edu/MulticulturalPrograms/mostatemp-mrc.htm
• Bear Necessities is a convenience store that sells a variety of everyday products.

• MSU Mobile Apps! Recommended mobile apps to connect and make your statement on the small screen.
• International Friends is a program that aims to connect Springfield denizens and families to international students. This is a great way to experience American culture!
• Association of International Student is an organization specifically for international students! They host special events and have weekly meetings.
• There are over 300 other student organizations that you can join! You will find the full list at BearLink Organizations.

• The I SUCCEED Center for International Students is conveniently located room 408 of he Jim Morris Center, our building downtown! This is a place where you can seek academic help for your EAP classes.

• The Bear Pantry promotes healthy lifestyle choices, provides access to nutritious food, and aims to increase food security.

• The Care & Advocacy Team (CAT) provides culturally appropriate support services to international students. You can reach out to us for any issues you may be experiencing!

• There are several banks located downtown near our school.
  • US Bank - https://www.usbank.com/locations/missouri/springfield/417-saint-louis-st-bank-atm/
  • Great Southern Bank - https://locations.greatsouthernbank.com/great-southern-bank-9f75a3dd9570
  • Systematic Savings Bank - https://www.mysystematic.com/
  • Arvest Bank - https://locations.arvest.com/ll/US/MO/Springfield/535-Walnut-Ste-101

• Our school is located downtown near many private student housing options. Here are a few of our student's favorites:
  • The 505 - https://the505springfield.com/
  • Sky 11 - https://liveatparkeast.com/
  • The Jefferson - https://www.oreillymanagement.com/communities/the_jefferson
  • Deep Elm - https://www.oreillymanagement.com/communities/deep_elm
  • The Vue - https://www.thevueonwalnut.com/

In addition to the free MSU Bear Line Shuttle service,

• Springfield has a city-wide bus system at affordable prices.
• It is more common in Springfield to drive your own personal vehicle. If you would like to do this, a driver’s license can be obtained at the Missouri Department of Revenue which is downtown and very near our school. Information about the steps to get a Missouri driver's license will be covered during the EAP orientation period.
• The downtown and campus areas of Springfield are quite walkable. But, if you would like a slightly faster way to get around, you can rent a Bird Scooter!

Attendance: EAP students are expected to attend minimum 85% of scheduled class time. Therefore, instructors will take attendance and keep records on the JUPITER platform each class period. Presence will be marked as “P” and Absence as “AB” in JUPITER. The EAP Director will closely monitor the number of classes missed by each student.

Lateness (Tardiness): EAP students are expected to come to every class on time (within the first 5 minutes of class). Tardiness to class will be recorded in JUPITER as “T” (for tardy) instead of “P” (for present) when a student is 5  to 15 minutes  late for class.

When a student is more than 15 minutes late for class, the "T+" mark will be used in JUPITER and the instructor will add a comment to indicate how much of the class was missed. 

Excessive tardiness limits academic progress and will have a negative impact on appeal considerations.

Excessive tardiness will also be monitored by the EAP Director and may result in special sanctions.

These policies are in place to:

• ensure academic success.
• maintain the immigration status of F-1 & J-1 visa holders.
• prepare EAP students for attendance expectations on US campuses.

Excused Absences: No excused absence can be granted by EAP instructors. Excuses to the policy must be filed using the Absence Notification & Documentation Form Relevant documentation will need to be submitted with the form. Only the EAP Director can grant excuses for exceptional cases supported by solid evidence. Only 3 days per 12-week term can be excused for exceptional reasons. When an excuse is granted, the EAP Director will use the mark “E” in JUPITER.

Long-term Absences (official reduced course load): If a student on a F-1/J-1 visa cannot return to class after having exhausted all allowed absences and the 3 excused days, the ELI office can file with SEVIS on behalf of the student a reduced course load due to a severe illness or medical condition to remain in status. This process requires appropriate medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor.

Pregnancy for F-1/J-1: Note that U.S. Immigration rules do not consider pregnancy (including delivery) as a severe illness. Therefore, no reduced course load request can be filed with SEVIS in this case.

Students who are in this situation should meet with an EAP Director the first week of class, so an attendance plan can be made within the 85% presence requirement.

EAP instructors will give a make-up test for major tests and exams only if the student submitted an Absence Notification & Documentation Form and was excused by the EAP Director.

When a make-up is given, it is different from the test originally given. A make-up test request may be refused if

• it is a small quizzes and minor in-class assignments.
• this type of test cannot be easily/fairly given again.
• the student’s reason is not valid.
• the student is abusing this policy.

Make-ups for final exams can only be given with approval from the Executive Director or EAP Director of ELI and only under special circumstances.

Textbook & materials are provided by each teacher on the first day of class after convocation. All books and materials are for the student to keep and take care as their own.

Textbooks: Each term, all EAP students will get the needed textbooks & e-book access for the term. Returning students may not get all new textbooks if a given book is used across two levels. If a student repeats a level, they will not receive new books during the repeated term unless a new book series is chosen by the EAP curriculum coordinators.

Headset: During placement testing of their first term, each new EAP student will receive a headset with microphone compatible with the EAP's computer labs & chromebooks. It is the responsibility of the EAP student to bring the headset to class every day. No replacement will be provided if a headset is forgotten, broken or lost.

Student work that is completed at the EAP may be used by the EAP instruction staff and other departments at MSU for educational research & training purposes. Student names are then removed so they remain anonymous; however, if a student does not wish for their work to be used for research, they should notify the EAP Director: pascalhamon@missouristate.edu

Any successful learning experience requires mutual respect on behalf of the student and the instructor.

The instructor, as well as the students, should not be subjected to any student’s behavior that is in any way disruptive, rude, or challenging to the teacher’s authority in the classroom.

A student should not feel intimidated or demeaned by his/her classmates or instructor, and students must remember that the instructor has primary responsibility for maintainingcontrol over classroom behavior and academic integrity.

The instructor can order temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom of any student engaging in disruptive conduct or conduct violating the general rules and regulations of the institution. 

The Student rights and responsibilities as set by Missouri State University will apply.

At the end of each term, all EAP students are invited to complete a course evaluation survey for each class.

Course evaluations are organized the last 2 weeks during class time. Each instructor will provide a form link to students and access to a computer. Students may also complete the evaluation on their mobile device or outside of class time if they were absent on the designated day.

The evaluation form is open on week 10 of the term through the end of the finals period: http://tinyurl.com/eapcourseeval

Evaluation results are fully anonymous and shared with each instructor during the break between each term after all term grades and promotion decisions have been finalized.

Course evaluations are used by each instructor as a means to identify successes and areas still needing improvement in their teaching practices. They are also accessed by the EAP program director as part of the performance appraisal of each instructor.

During week 11 of every term, the Student Success and Services Coordinator organizes a Student Body Meeting.

As part of the Student Body Meeting, all EAP students are given a chance to provide feedback on the EAP program as a whole via an online survey. The survey is anonymous and can be taken by students on their mobile devices.

Results form the survey are compiled and shared by the Student Success and Services Coordinator during the next Term Launch meeting with the entire EAP staff. It then informs the review of EAP policies and procedures.

The EAP wants you to have a good experience with us. So, we need to know if you have a small problem or a major complaint.

If you have a small problem, talk to your teachers first, they will help you or find someone else who can help you.

A major complaint is often about a situation that is interfering badly with your studies and/or daily life. If you have major complaint follow the steps below:

For complaints about a particular class:

Step 1: Talk directly to the instructor of the class. Explain your complaint clearly. Wait one week to see if the problem is solved. [Go directly to Step 2 if it is the end of the session].

Step 2: If your instructor has not responded to your complaint to your satisfaction, please write an email explaining your complaint to the EAP Director (pascalhamon@missouristate.edu) The EAP director will make an appointment with you to discuss your complaint.

Step 3: If you are still unsatisfied with the outcome of your complaint, please make an appointment with the ELI Executive Director to discuss your complaint (paulamoore@missouristate.edu).

For any non-class-related complaints:

Step 1: Write an email explaining your complaint to the EAP Director (pascalhamon@missouristate.edu) The EAP director will make an appointment with you to help resolve your complaint.

Step 2: If you are still unsatisfied with the outcome of your complaint, please make an appointment with the ELI Executive Director to help resolve your complaint (paulamoore@missouristate.edu).

Admissions Communications: 

During the admission process, you will submit a personal email, so we can send you admission directions, materials and resources.

Pre-Arrival Communications:

Like all students enrolled at Missouri State University, you will be receive an MSU email account (abc123@Login.missouristate.edu).

Email activation instructions will be sent to you once you have confirmed your arrival date to the US. We recommend that you activate your MSU email before traveling to the US. However, we will provide activation support during EAP orientation if needed.

The admission and student services team will use your personal email until you have activated and confirmed access to your MSU email account (@missouristate.edu).

Post-Arrival Communications:

You are required to activate and access your MSU email accounts before the first class day of the term.

Being an active MSU email user is very important for all University students, including EAP students:

For reasons of privacy and cyber-security, communications to and from EAP administrators and instructors and must only take place through your MSU email account.

Note that your MSU email account is given to you for free for life. It will remain active and usable even after you have left the university. 

The Students Services team will invite you to join a WhatsApp group when you have shared your travel itinerary to the US.

This WhatsApp group is managed by the EAP Student Services Coordinator: Cali Pettijohn.

This WhatsApp group is used to:

help coordinate with our EAP welcoming team: planning airport pickups, initial housing matters, initial medical appointments.

receive notification about campus and community events that EAP students are invited to participate in.

interact with the EAP Student Services Coordinator, and welcome team, and other new and current EAP students to exchange information and socialize.

This WhatsApp group must NOT be used to communicate with EAP administrative, admission and teaching staff about immigration or academic topics. This information needs to discussed via email using your MSU email account.

Your MSU email account will also give you access to the MyMissouriState (MyMo) portal: https://my.missouristate.edu/

This portal will help you access:

• campus housing resources
• payment systems for EAP Tuition, Insurance fees and other campus charges
• campus health center resources
• campus recreation facilities information
• campus events calendar
• and much, much more...

At various times during each term, you will be asked to complete online forms. Form requests will come to you by email from the EAP Director or Student Services Coordinator.

These form are used to collect important and time-sensitive information.

It is very important that you complete all forms as soon as you receive them and by the deadline indicated on the message.

Here is a list of the key forms (more may be added if needed):

Week 01-12 Absence Notification Form Ongoing to report absences throughout the term.

Week 01 Student Information Form Ongoing to report US address and emergency contact info.

Week 01 TB Survey on MyMo Tuberculosis screening survey required for all new students.

Week 04 Plan of Study Form Pre-registration for the following term.

Week 04 Student Handbook Access Confirmation of student handbook access.

Week 11 Student Appeal Form Form to file a grade appeal at the end of each term (if needed).

EAP Tuition and health Insurance fee* charges will be added to your account the third day of orientation after you have been registered in classes by the EAP Director.

The EAP Director will then email you payment instructions and announce the exact date and time of the payment deadline:

All charges must be paid before 5pm on the first day of week 2 of the term. 

If you do not pay on time,

• you will be emailed a daily reminder.
• a 1% service charge will be added to your remaining balance after the tenth business day of each month: Finance Charges Info.
• your I-20 or DS 2019 may be canceled if a full payment is not made by the end of week 3 of the term.

*Health insurance is mandatory only for students on an F-1 or J-1 visa. Other students will not be charged.  

During the 4th week of the EAP Term, you will be asked to complete a Plan of Study Form to let us know about your plan for the following term.

On this form, you will have a chance to sign-up for an early pre-registration $100 tuition discount. To get the  $100 discount, you will need to pay your tuition fees before the beginning of the following term.

Once you have been pre-registered for the next term by the EAP Director, you will get an email with tuition payment instructions and an exact deadline.

If you pay your tuition fees before the next term starts (even in several installments), you will get the $100 discount.

If you do not pay tuition before the start of the new term, you will lose the $100 discount and all charges will have to be paid before 5pm on the first day of week 2 of the new term. 

Note that the insurance fee charges will only appear on your account during week 1 of the new term and need to be paid before 5pm on the first day of week 2.

If you do not pay on time,

• you will be emailed a daily reminder.
• a 1% service charge will be added to your remaining balance after the tenth business day of each month: Finance Charges Info
• your I-20 or DS 2019 may be canceled if a full payment is not made by the end of week 3 of the new term.

• You can pay by cash or check at the Bursar’s Office on campus. (Note that the Bursar’s Office is open Monday through Friday 8:30am-4pm)

OR

• You can pay by credit card online (Note a Convenience fee of 2.75% is applied to all credit and debit card payment).
• Please visit https://my.missouristate.edu to make a payment online  and use the "University Account - Billing" menu.

OR 

• Visit International Payments page on the MSU website for more payment options.

 

• Note: a 1% service charge will be added to your remaining balance after the tenth business day of each month: Finance Charges Info

If you need to drop out of the EAP program after the start of the term, your tuition will be refunded following this schedule:

• 100% refund if you drop-out before the end of week 2 of the term.
• 75% refund if you drop-out before the end of week 3 of the term.
• 50% refund if you drop-out before the end of week 5 of the term
• 25% refund if you drop-out before the end of week 9 of the term
• No refund if your drop-out after the end of week 9 of the term.

See DROPPING OUT tab in Immigration policies for procedure details. 

Exceptions to the refund policy calendar can be made in certain emergency cases. A formal request must be included in writing with the drop-out notification sent to the EAP Director and will be decided on a case by case basis. 

Your are responsible for keeping your I-20/DS-2019 updated at all times.

If you would like to extend or shorten your current I-20/DS-2019, you must contact the EAP DSO (ELI@missouristate.edu) three weeks prior to their current I-20/DS-2019s expiration date. If you do not notify the EAP DSO on time, your status will not be extended and you may fall out of status.

Your passport must be valid throughout your length of stay in the United States. If your passport is to expire, please contact the embassy of the issuing country located in the United States.

Your I-94 document, that shows your travel history to the US, can be downloaded by you here: I94.gov

In accordance with Department of Homeland Security regulations, EAP students holding F-1 visas must attend two consecutive 12-week terms before they are eligible to take a summer term off. Summer is the only term that may be taken as vacation and only if the student has attended the EAP for two terms prior to the summer (Fall term & Spring term).

EAP students will be informed of their eligibility to take the summer term off via email during the preceding fall & spring terms. The policy will also be highlighted during new student continuing orientation presentations at the beginning of each term.

Eligible students can request to take the summer term off via the study plan form during the pre-registration period during spring term. A link to the form will be emailed to each student. 

If a student were to take a summer term off before they are eligible, their I-20 would be terminated. That student would then have to reapply to the EAP as a new student for fall term, repay all applicable fees, and and go through placement and orientation again. 

 

You can work on-campus after receiving employment authorization. You can work in jobs on-campus including jobs in the school library, cafeteria, and administrative offices, etc. Companies that are located on campus, but are not providing school services are not considered on-campus employment.

To request employment authorization, you will fill-out the Request Form.   If permission is granted, you will receive an authorization letter. Please let the EAP Director and DSO know when you have received a job offer. Do not work until approval is given

Any unauthorized employment is a violation of your visa status.  

Before traveling outside the U.S., your current I-20 or DS2019 must be signed for travel. The signature is good for one year from the date it was signed.

Contact the EAP DSO (ELI@missouristate.edu) to have an I-20 signed for travel.

Failure to have a travel signature can result in being unable to reenter the United States.

When you finish all studies in the ELI, your current I-20 or DS-2019 will be shortened to reflect the date when they finished the ELI.

To continue studies in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program at MSU, you must be admitted to MSU and receive a new I-20 from International Services

When you finish all studies in the ELI, your current I-20 or DS-2019 will be shortened to reflect the date when you finished the ELI.

F-1: 60 days to leave U.S., begin a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program or transfer to another University upon completion of studies

J-1: 30 days to leave U.S., begin a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program or transfer to another University upon completion of studies

F-2 or J-2 dependents may not remain after the F-1 or J-1 has permanently left the U.S.

 

If you need to discontinue (drop out of) your studies at the EAP before the end of the term, you must notify in writing the EAP Director and the Outreach and Admissions Specialist (click to email).

In your email message, explain your reason for dropping out of the EAP program and indicate when will be your last day of class.

If you are on a F-1 or J-1 status and plan to stay in the US, you will need to transfer your immigration to another school  (See TRANSFERRING OUT tab).

If you are on a F-1 or J-1 status and plan to leave the US, your I-20 or DS 2019 will be canceled on the day you listed as your last day of class. You will have 15 days from that day to leave the country.

The tuition REFUND POLICIES (see tab above) will be applied based on your last day of class attendance.

If you wish to transfer to a different university or program outside of MSU,  you must notify in writing the EAP Director and the Outreach and Admissions Specialist (click to email) who both serve as SEVIS Designated School Officials (DSO).

You must then submit an official letter of admission from the school you will transfer to. You will also be asked to fill out a Transfer Release Form before we can transfer your I-20 (F-1) or DS2019 (J-1).

Once an I-20 has been transferred, the ELI will no longer hold your immigration record and you will need to contact your new school for any immigration related issues or questions. 

F-2 Dependents cannot be pursuing a degree or certification, but can take ELI courses on a part-time basis for recreational purposes. F-2 students can take up to 3 classes per term.  

F-2 Children may engage in full-time study at the K-12 level. 

F-2 Dependents cannot be employed. 

 

J-2 Dependents can pursue study full-time.  

J-2 Dependents can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS in order to be employed. J-2 Dependents cannot work until they  receive their EAD.