International Students

As an international student at Lake Superior State University, you have been issued a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Student Status (I-20) form. As it is important to maintain your F-1 student status, please review the information below.

International Student Responsibilities

Full Time Student Yearly and Semester Responsibilities

As a full time student you:

  • Must sign-in within the first 2 weeks of each semester at the Registrar’s Office.
  • Must have your I-20 signed each year. Be sure that your I-20 gets signed before the date that it was signed the year before (on the third page at the bottom). The Registrar’s Office will make a copy of the I-20 form and the I-94 card at that time.
    Example: If your I-20 was signed on August 15, 2016, make sure that the I-20 gets signed before August 15, 2017.
  • Must furnish proof (annually) of current Health and Accident Insurance.
  • Must be enrolled in at least 12 credits.
  • Must be making satisfactory progress in your academic program.
  • Can only register for ONE online class per semester (if desired).
  • Should keep a copy of all I-20’s issued to you for your records. The government may request them at a later date.

Living in the United States:

  • Only full time students can live in the United States.
  • Must provide their:
    1. Current U.S. Address
    2. Foreign Address is still required

Part Time Student Yearly and Semester Responsibilities

As a part time student you:

  • Must get a NEW I-20 each semester. This requires you to:
    1. Register and pay before the I-20 can be issued.
    2. Notify a DSO in the Registrar’s Office of registration and payment.
    3. Take I-20 to Customs and Border Protection for processing.
  • Must sign-in within the first 2 weeks of each semester at the Registrar’s Office.
  • Must return to Registrar’s Office after I-20 is processed by Customs and Border Protection so that the Registrar’s Office can make a copy of the I-20 and the I-94 card.
  • Must furnish proof (annually) of current Health and Accident Insurance.
  • Should keep a copy of all I-20’s issued to you for your records. The government may request them at a later date.

Program Completion/Extension Responsibilities

Graduation – Three semesters before you plan to complete your degree requirements you are required to fill out a Graduation Application with your Academic Advisor and submit it with a completed degree audit to the Registrar’s Office. This form can be found in the Registrar’s Office and in the Academic Departments. The date you plan to complete your program of study may effect the dates on your I-20 so you must notify a DSO in the Registrar’s Office when you turn your form in.

Extension – If you require an extension to your I-20, you must notify the Registrar’s Office immediately so changes can be made to your I-20 to ensure you do not fall out of status. Once the end date, found in section #5 on your I-20 form, has passed, an extension will no longer be possible and you will be required to submit all new financial documents and you may be subject to pay the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee.

Name/Address Changes

Name – If you have changed your name you must fill out a Request for Name Change and submit it to the Registrar’s Office. Along with the form, you are required to provide a copy of the legal document issued to you (e.g. Marriage Certificate or Court Order).

Address – If your address changes from what you see in your Anchor Access account, you must report the change within 10 days to the Registrar’s Office. It is imperative that your address is correct in the SEVIS Database to ensure you are in compliance with Federal Regulations for your I-20 form.

Major Changes

If you wish to change your course of study please come into the Registrar’s Office to speak with a DSO first. Curriculum changes may affect the validity of your I-20 form causing you to fall out of status. Once you speak with a DSO, please fill out the Major Change Request and bring it to the department of your new major for the required signatures.

Employment

On Campus – Full-Time students may be eligible for On-Campus employment if it is directly affiliated with Lake Superior State University and serving our students. Employment cannot exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session. Students may work Full-Time (40 hours) during school breaks as long as they are planning to enroll Full-Time the next semester.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) – Full-Time students must be enrolled for one academic year before they can be eligible for CPT. There is no restriction on the number of hours a student can work per week while in CPT. To maintain status, students completing CPT must remain enrolled Full-Time.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) – Full-Time students must be enrolled for one academic year before they can be eligible for OPT. OPT is available to F-1 students while completing their program of study or upon completion of their program of study for up to 12 months. Employment cannot exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session. Students may work Full-Time (40 hours per week) during school breaks.

Travel Information

Tips for International Travel – Federal Regulations allow continuing F-1 students in valid status to travel outside of the United States and reenter without jeopardizing their status. You may travel outside of the U.S. as long as the signature, found on page 2 of your I-20 form is current – not past the date it was last signed. For example if you are planning a trip for July 2017 and the last day your I-20 was signed was May 15, 2016, you will need to get your I-20 signed before May 15, 2017 to avoid falling out of status and problems with U.S. Customs and Border Protection while reentering the U.S. You should carry your I-20 and I-94 card with you at all times whenever you are traveling and crossing any U.S. border.

If you have questions, or concerns, please stop in to the Registrar’s Office (Fletcher Center for Student Services) and speak to one of our DSO’s (Designated School Officials).

Katie Kelsey
Coordinator of Technical Operations &
International Student Compliance
(906)635-2613

Nancy A. Neve
Registrar
(906)635-2080