International Student Services

International Student Services
▪ Dr. Marisa Atencio, PDSO: [email protected]
▪ Peter Dye, DSO: [email protected]
Connect early and often with your International Student Advisors (ISA) (who are also Designated School Officials-DSO). When you have questions about campus resources, your visa, traveling outside of the US, working on or off campus, or just aren’t sure where to get started, do not hesitate to ask for help!

Stop by during weekly drop in advising hours (no appointment needed) or schedule an appointment via the Global Education Bookings Page.

• Passport: Your passport is your primary identity document that must remain valid for the duration of your F-1 program.
• I-20: Your I‐20 form is a contract between you, Oglethorpe, and the U.S. that also must not expire before you complete your program of study. Your I-20 documents your personal, financial, and academic program of study details. The form I-20 is required to apply for the F-1 visa and benefits like a GA driver’s license or social security number, if eligible.
• Visa Stamp: Your visa is your ticket to request entry to the U.S. It is okay if your F-1 visa in your passport to expires while you are in the U.S. as the visa must only be valid when crossing the border to enter into the U.S. Visas are only granted/renewed outside of the U.S.
• I-94 arrival/departure record: Form I-94 is the DHS Arrival/Departure Record issued to aliens who are admitted to the U.S., who are adjusting status while in the U.S., extending their stay, among other things. This will determine your duration of status.

International students who come to the United States must follow a specific set of rules, depending on your student type and education level. UF‐1 students must abide by immigration laws to maintain visa status and remain eligible for benefits. No benefits are available to students in violation of F‐1 status. Use the resources below to learn how to become an F or M international student and maintain your student status.

• Maintain a valid passport and valid I-20 Rform.
• Enroll in a full course of study (minimum 12 credit hours).Attend class sessions per the attendance policy.
• Make ‘normal’ academic progress in your studies.
• Engage in authorized employment only.
• Depart the U.S. within the grace period at the end of your program of study.
• Update your International Student Advisors of any changes to your address, contact information, major, need for an extension of program, need for travel endorsement, etc. via the International Student Request Form.
• Obey all state and federal laws.

The Student Exchange Visitor Program Study in the States website is a great resource that outlines many topics related to maintaining visa status, applying for F-1 benefits, and other relevant topics for F-1 student visa holders.

Because the purpose of the F-1 visa is to facilitate full-time study toward completion of an academic program of study, immigration places limitations on the work/employment benefits available to F-1 student visa holders. The limitations are associated with the amount and type of work the F-1 student is eligible for and the conditions they must meet to be authorized for additional work benefits. 

On-Campus Work:  

• Defined as work for Oglethorpe as a temporary employee or employment with an on-campus entity that has a contract with Oglethorpe to provide services to students (such as Athletics, Facilities, Library, Campus Store, Dining Services, etc).  
• The evidence of authorization for on-campus work is the form I-20.  
• F-1 students are eligible to begin on-campus work once they have completed a “check-in” with the International Student Advisor (ISA) in Global Education.  
• On-campus work may be no more than 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters when students are required to be enrolled full-time (FT) in classes.  
• Immigration laws allow on-campus work more than 20 hours when they have earned a vacation semester or in between required semesters. 

Off-Campus Work: 

• ANY employment outside of Oglethorpe (paid or unpaid). 
• Eligible only after F-1 has enrolled full-time in an academic year (fall and spring semester). 
• Position MUST be directly related to major(s) and may require both ISA and USCIS review. 
• Cannot begin work until authorization is granted (in the form of an I-20 and/or an I-766 work permit (EAD) issued by USCIS). 
• Off-campus work benefits for F-1 students include Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), Severe Economic Hardship (SEH) or Special Student Relief (SSR)  
• Off‐campus employment workshops are offered regularly or talk with an International Student Advisor. 

For additional details request the F-1 Employment Benefits handout from the ISA  

• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Its original purpose was to track wages earned & taxes paid
• Often used by businesses to track credit history
• Only students with authorized employment are eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)
• Do not carry around your SSN. Keep it in a safe space and do not let anyone make a copy.
• No one needs your SSN except your employer or to complete a tax return. This includes businesses, medical care providers, etc.
• Be aware of identity theft: stealing a person’s SSN. Non-U.S. residents, senior citizens, and students are common target. Review Social Security Administration materials about Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number

If you’re working on campus, you will have to get a Social Security Number (SSN). There are several steps to follow carefully before applying for a SSN. 

• To get a Social Security Number you will need to:
  • get a letter of employment
  • get a letter of support from your international student advisor (Request a letter via the International Student Request Form)
  • Make an appointment or email with your international student advisor once you have competed the steps above so you can get guidance go through the steps to apply for a Social Security Number.
• Going to the Social Security Administration office:
  • Gather your documents: Passport, I-94, and I-20, Student employment request form, ISA letter (go through the document checklist)
  • Call the SSA office and ask about appointments for SSN
  • Visit SSA office to apply for SSN with ALL documents listed on handout
  • Let Oglethorpe Human Resources know that you have applied for your SSN and which number to use as a temporary number until your SSN is sent

• GA Department of Driver Services (DDS) requires a Social Security Number (SSN) or denial letter issued from the Social Security Administration Office. 
• Those not eligible for SSN can request a SSA denial letter.
• Read GA DDS website and driving regulations to be prepared.
• Fully understand the responsibilities and risks of driving. 
• Must register (pay taxes & tag fees) on your car within 30 days of purchase. 
• Fully understand the responsibilities and risks of driving. 
• Must register (pay taxes & tag fees) on your car within 30 days of purchase. 
• Can only register a car in GA with a GA Driver’s License and with proof of car insurance 

Re-entering the U.S. as an F-1 student after international travel requires:

• Unexpired passport (6+ months validity).
• Visa stamp (You can renew before return to the U.S. at embassy abroad).
• I-20 travel signature/endorsement (Request a travel signature via the International Student Request Form). 
• Connect with an ISA before any international travel- but a signature is valid for 12 months while pursuing full-time study and 6 months when on authorized post-completion OPT.

• Travel Tips
• Make/keep electronic and print copies of all your visa status documents:
  • I‐20
  • I‐94 arrival/departure information
  • F‐1 visa stamp (check the expiration date of your visa)
  • Passport (photo & expiry pages)
  • Don’t carry originals around with you daily (keep originals in a safe place; copies elsewhere)
• Be prepared for travel delays and have a backup plan
• Know that visa applications/renewal can take time

• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the federal agency responsible for taxation  
• The U.S. tax year starts January 1 and ends December 31  
• All F-1 students must complete a Tax Form 8843 each tax year physically present in the U.S.  
• Filing a tax return is the IRS process reconcile the tax withheld to the amount IRS says an individual is liable to pay in that tax year 
• Individuals who earn income in the US will have a tax liability   
• Some types of investments and scholarships may also be taxable by the IRS  
• F-1 students receiving income or scholarship or treaty benefits must file a tax return to the IRS the following tax year by the deadline (Filing an international student tax return – U.S. tax season survival guide for F-1 visa students)  
• The tax filing deadline is usually mid-April/April 15 each year.

• Global Education sends regular communication by email to students once they are admitted and pay their enrollment deposit. 
• These emails include resources to assist students to apply for their visa, personal preparations, making decisions about healthcare and health insurance, and understanding when to arrive to campus for new international student onboarding.  
• Students will also connect to each other and international student leaders in the Pre-Arrival course that all newly admitted students have access to a few months before classes begin and throughout their studies at Oglethorpe. 
• Finally, Oglethorpe offers programs that help all students prepare for life as a Petrel and New Student Orientation and Welcome Week to support greater awareness of campus resources and to build connections to peers.