Requests

Statement of Financial Support – this is a paper form that must completed and submitted through the portal.

• Required for all new students, returning students, and those beginning a new program and/or new educational level.

• This process is handled within the ISSS portal when students are in the “Invited Stage”.
• Admitted students will be invited to the ISSS portal for instructions on requesting the I-20 and uploading required documents.

For F-1 students finishing their current degree program or OPT and want to begin a new degree program at the same educational level or matriculate to a new degree level.

For current F-1 students transferring from MSU to another approved U.S. SEVIS certified institution.  Admission to the new school is required.  There are two conditions:

• Before the current academic program is finished.
• After completing an academic program, but before beginning the new program.

For current F-1 students needing to reduce their enrollment to less than full-time.  Authorization can be for:

• Illness or Medical Condition
• To Complete Course of Study in Current Term

Students in their first semester can request an RCL for Academic Difficulties but must first meet with an immigration advisor in the International Services Office.

For current F-1 visa holders who wish to invite their spouse and/or unmarried child(ren) under the age of 21 to be with them in the U.S.

• Dependents must demonstrate the F-1 student is enrolled in a full course of study or engaged in approved practical training.
• Dependents must also be able to demonstrate they have the financial means to support the family during their stay in the U.S.

For F-1 students who need to update their I-20 for any changes to their program of study.  This includes changing majors, adding a second major, and/or adding a minor, or removing a minor or second major.

• The change must first be made to the student’s academic record.

For F-1 students who have completed their studies or OPT and will be departing the U.S. and not returning.

• The SEVIS record will be updated to “Completed” status after the date of departure can be seen in the student’s SEVIS profile.

For F-1 students whose I-20 will expire at the end of the current semester but need more time to finish program requirements.

• Requires a compelling medical or academic reason for needing the extension and recommended by the academic advisor.
• Proof of funding is required for the extended period or one academic year, whichever is less.

Policy

For current F-1 students who need to take a leave of absence from school for a period either temporarily or indefinitely.  Departure from the U.S. during LOA is required.

• Reasons may include personal, medical, or military duty; abandoning the degree program; finishing online from home country; or academic suspension.
• Standard process is to terminate the SEVIS record for “authorized early withdrawal” which will not negatively impact the record.
• Returning students absent for less than 5 months may request a reactivation of their SEVIS record but will need a new I-20 if the absence was 5 months or more.

For current F-1 students needing authorization to work off-campus generally for internships or externships as required by the program.

• Training should directly relate to the student’s program of study and be considered an integral part of the school’s established curriculum.
• The authorization is for a specific employer and specific time frame not to extend beyond the student’s I-20 program end date.

Temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study.  It is available for twelve months per degree level.

For F-1 students who completed all degree requirements OR graduate students who completed all degree requirements and are in the thesis or dissertation phase of their program.

For F-1 students using a portion of their OPT allotment before completing their studies.  It can be full-time during the summer but should be part-time only during the semester.

24-month extension of the original 12 month OPT for students with degrees in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

• Students must be in an authorized period of OPT and have earned a qualifying degree within no more than the last 10 years.
• The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and have an IRS tax-payer ID (EIN).
• Completed I-983 training plans are required.

To report OPT/STEM OPT has been approved.

• Copy of EAD required.
• Reprinting of the I-20 is automatic.
• IS Staff will initiate correction requests if the SEVIS record is not accurately updated with the approved OPT/STEM OPT.

F-1 students participating in OPT are required to report their employment and any changes in their employment.  Any changes must be reported within 10 days of the change.

• It is highly recommended that students use their SEVP Portal access to report employment.
• Employment reporting can also be done through this update in the ISSS portal.

For students who are locked out of the SEVP portal and need an IS DSO staff member to reset the portal.

• This generally happens if the student attempts to login unsuccessfully 3 times or hasn’t logged in for 45 days or more.

F-1 students on STEM OPT are required to report to their DSO the validity of their information in SEVIS every 6 months.  This includes confirming legal name, residential or mailing address, employer name and address, and status of current employment/training.

• The I-983 self-evaluation is also due at the 12-month and 24-month point of their STEM employment. The self-evaluation is also due at any time employment ends during the 24-month period.
• Any changes including loss of employment or change of employer must be reported within 10 days of the change.