How
do I get an EMU email address?
Free email addresses are available on the EMU website. Sign up at
http://my.emich.edu/cp/home/loginf . You need your PIN number and
student number to get an email account.
Where can I
find a description of courses?
The quickest way is to look online at: www.emich.edu/public/catalogs/
. Copies of the undergraduate and graduate catalogs are also available
at Service EMU in The Student Center. You can also contact the department
that is offering the class as they will have descriptions of the courses
offered.
Where can I
find class schedules?
You can look online at: http://ict.emich.edu/service/online/ocsb
or pick up a hard-copy from Service EMU.
How do I add
or drop classes?
Go to your my.emich.edu account and click on the "Student"
tab and select "Student Sources and Financial Aid", or see
the course catalogue for more information. Keep in mind; you need to
get permission from the Office International Students if you are dropping
below the required course load for a semester. A reduced hours form
may be required and it will also be reflected in your SEVIS record.
How do I check
my tuition bill?
There are no paper bills, all the information is online. Go to http://Ebill.emich.edu
to check your bill. If you want a "real person" to help you,
stop by the Student Business Services in 203 Pierce Hall, or Service
EMU in The Student Center.
How do I get
a student ID?
At least 24 hours after providing OIS with your local mailing address,
you can go to the Eagle One office in the first floor of The Student
Center. Bring a course confirmation and a photo ID with you.
How do I contact
my academic advisor?
Information concerning Academic Advising is available at http://www.emich.edu/public/acadadvise/.
Where can I
find tutoring assistance? There are 2 places you can go for assistance:
1. International Student Resource Center located in the Alexander Building,
room 217.
Call (734) 487-0370 or Email esl@emich.edu
for more information.
2. The Holman Leaning Center located in the basement of the Halle Library.
Visit their website: http://tlc.emich.edu/.
Both services are free to all EMU students.
How can I find
a student or staff's phone number or email?
You can find this information in the on-line directory: http://www.emich.edu/directory.
Where can I
use a typewriter or computer?
There are several computer labs throughout the EMU campus available
for students with an EMU Eagle ID Card. A complete list is available
at: http://www.labs.emich.edu.
For a typewriter, go to the client Services Office in the Halle Library.
Where do I get
a parking tag?
Parking tags are available at 123 Structure Drive, or online at http://www.emich.edu/publicsafety/parking.htm
Where can I
get information on student organizations?
For a listing of all the student groups, go to "Campus Life"
in The Student Center or visit website http://www.emich.edu/campuslife.
To get in touch with the International Students Association send an
email to isa@emich.edu.
How do I open
a bank account?
Every bank has different procedures to open an account. Please contact
the specific bank you are interested in. There is a TCF bank located
on the first floor of the EMU Student Center.
Do
I need to have an appointment to update my I-20 or DS 20-19?
No, Just drop off your I-20 at the office front desk and we will have
it ready for you in 48 hours.
I would like
to go to Canada for two days. What documents do I need to re-enter?
And what else should I be aware of?
If all the answers to these questions are YES, you should be allowed
to enter Canada and re-enter the United States.
1) I have a valid visitor visa to Canada (if applicable);
2) I have a passport that is valid at least 6 months after the date
to reenter US ;
3) I have a SEVIS I-20 recently endorsed on page three;
4) I have proof of the amount of funds indicated on my I-20;
5) I have proof of enrollment in the current term, or may be the following
term(s);
6) I have a travel "tag" or "attachment" on the
I-20;
7) I have $6.00 for a new I-94 card, if the border control insists on
a new one, and
8) I will show OIS all newly stamped documents given to me at the Port
of Entry.
I did not turn
in my I-94 when I left the U.S., what should I do?
Failure to turn in your I-94 (or I-94W) when you leave the U.S. can
create a serious problem. Without this record of your departure, you
will be identified in CBP records as an "overstay." Being
identified as an overstay means that you will be denied re-entry into
the U.S. If you failed to turn in your I-94, please send it - along
with any documentation that proves you left the U.S. to ACS Inc.1084
South Laurel Rd., London, Kentucky 40744. We strongly urge you to keep
a copy of what you send to ACS Inc. and to carry it with you the next
time you come to the U.S. in case the CBP officer has any questions
about your eligibility to enter.
Documentation to prove your departure can include the boarding pass
from your flight. If you exited the country by a land border it is much
harder to verify that you did- in fact - leave the country on the date
you claim. If you have any documentation of your arrival in your home
country (i.e. passport stamp), then you should send a copy of that.
If the above office does not have any supporting documents to substantiate
your claim to have left the U.S. on a certain date, there is no guarantee
that you will be entered into the record as having done so. We strongly
urge you to keep a copy of what you send to ACS Inc. and to carry it
with you the next time you come to the U.S. in case the CBP officer
has any questions about your eligibility to enter.
If you want to confirm that your I-94 was received by ACS, please give
them 4 months to process the paperwork. Then you can write the following
address to determine whether or not your departure was recorded. If
you turned in the I-94 when you left the U.S. as required, please do
NOT request confirmation that it is on file. This process is only for
people who did not turn in the I-94 when they exited the U.S.
You will need to provide your name, date of birth, passport number,
and date of departure, in addition to asking whether or not your departure
was recorded. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air Sea Passenger Operations,
Room 5.4D, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington D.C. 20229.
Who do I need to give my new, local address to?
1. OIS - come to our office and complete a "change of address"
form
2. DHS - Complete either a AR-11 or AR-11SR (if you are an NSEERS registrant
and have a FIN# on your I-94)
Who do I need
to give my new, home country address to? OIS; you do NOT need to
report the change of an overseas address to DHS. OIS will notify the
SEVIS data base.
The office of International Students offers several seminars every term on student employment on and off campus. Please make sure you attend one of these seminars at your earliest convenience after you arrive on campus.
I am an F-1
student. Can I get a job?
Yes, students on an F-1 visa status can work on campus (NOT more than
20hrs/week during the fall and winter and 40hrs/week during the spring
and summer).
I am a J-1 student.
Can I get a job?
It is possible. You will need permission from your responsible officer
(see DS 2019).
What is a Graduate
Assistantship?
A 100% Graduate Assistantship is a scholarship program that includes
a stipend and 18 credits hours of tuition. Contact the Graduate School
in Starkweather Hall for more information or go to:
www.gsr.emich.edu/
What is the
Career Service Center & where is it located?
The Career Service Center provides job placements and internships as
well as a long list of other services concerning employment. To be taken
to their interactive website go to:
http://www.career.emich.edu/new/currstu/currstds.html , The Career
Service Center is located at 311 King Hall, telephone (734)487-0400.
What is the
Employment Questionnaire?
The Employment Questionnaire is a source of information for EMU International
students on a variety of subjects (for example tax and employment issues,
etc); it must be completed before an OIS advisor will sign an I-9 for
employment.
What are OPT (Optional Practical Training) & CPT (Curricular Practical
Training)?
Attend one of the F-1 & J-1 seminars offered by the OIS for more
information
Should degree-required Internships be done through CPT or OPT? CPT
How do I check
the status of my OPT application?
Once you have received your Notice of Receipt (I-797C) from USCIS, you
can check the status of your application online by visiting https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp
What
happens when my entry visa expires?
Nothing, unless you plan to travel outside the USA. It's a good idea
to contact OIS at least 2 weeks prior to any travel outside the USA,
whether your visa is expired or not. As long as you plan to stay
within the USA or only travel to Canada. Mexico or 15 islands of the
Caribbean for less than 30 days AND your current immigration status
matches your visa status, you should not have any problems.
When do I need to renew my Passport?
Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months into the future
at all times. To get a new passport, you need to contact an embassy
from your country. You can find a listing at: http://www.embassy.org/embassies.
The embassy will then inform you on what to do.
What do I do
if I lose my I-20 or DS2019?
You can request a new one from the Office of International Students,
however, try hard to keep original documents with the original "stamp"
on them.
What do I need
to do to travel outside the USA?
Make sure your 1-20 has been updated (signed within the past 4 months)
by an OIS advisor, you have a valid passport and a valid visa if necessary.
Please keep in mind that OIS requests at least 24-48 hours (this may
be longer at the end & beginning of term) for any type of paperwork
that has to be signed or updated.
What do I do
when I am in the process of getting a "green card"?
Please share any information/forms that you receive, including your
I-551 stamps and your permanent resident card from the DHS with the
Office of International Students.
Do I need to
pay taxes?
All F & J students have tax obligations. OIS offers tax seminars
during the winter semester.
What is US-VISIT?
The US-VISIT is a security procedure implemented by the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security. The US-VISIT is intended to gather travel information
and "biometric identifiers" (such as fingerprinting using
inkless device and digital photograph) from visa holders.
I'm on an F1
visa and will be completing my program this term, what are my options?
There are 5 options, BUT you MUST plan for them early in your last term
… do NOT wait until the last week of the term!
1. If you haven't completed your studies, you must apply for an extension
of stay before the program completion date
2. Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) before the program completion
date
3. Apply for a new course of study - this must be completed within 60
days of the completion date
4. Change or adjust your status - this must be completed within 60 days
of the completion date
5. Leave the USA within 60 days
I'm on a J1 visa and will be completing my program this term, what are my options?
You must prepare
to leave the USA within 30 days.
What is the
period of health insurance coverage?
EMU Health insurance coverage is purchased on semester basis. It starts
with the first day of classes and lasts until the next semester first
day of classes.
Do I need to
meet with an OIS advisor after I have changed my major?
Yes, OIS needs to inform SEVIS of your change of major. Please, bring
the approval letter from your advisor or from Admissions stating the
new major within 21 days of change.
What do I need
to do if I am not able to complete my program by the end date on my
I-20? Do I need to meet with an International Student Advisor?
Yes, but your academic advisor must complete the extension of stay form
prior to meeting with an International Student Advisor for the SEVIS
approval. This has to be done before the end of the term.
Am I eligible
for resident tuition after I have applied for my permanent resident
card (green card)?
To be eligible for in-state tuition, a student must have one the following
documents:
1. A permanent resident card (green card)
2. A stamp in your passport stating "Processed for I-551 temporary
evidence of lawful admission…… employment authorized"
3. The I-797A approval notice of the adjustment of status
4. The form I-181A "A Memorandum for the creation of a record for
permanent residency."
Where do I get
a State ID or Driver's license?
These can be obtained at the Secretary of State's Office. The closest
office is located at: 2720 Washtenaw Ave, Ypsilanti, 48197. Phone: (734)
528-6923. You may be asked to provide proof of enrollment and your passport.
Be sure to notify the Secretary of State's office if you lose your state
ID or driver's license.
Office of International Students is a part of the EMU Division of Student Affairs