Transcript Responsibility of the International Student

What is “Student Status”?
You were issued an immigration document when you
were admitted to Michigan Tech.
 F-1 students are issued an I-20.
 J-1 students are issued a DS-2019.
This document verifies your “student status.”
How do you maintain your visa status?
 Get familiar with the IPS web site.
 Keep critical
information and documents up to
date.
 Stay in good status as a student.
 Obtain required authorizations for work and
travel.
www.ips.mtu.edu
How do you maintain your status?
You are required by
Federal law to carry your
I-94 card with you at all
times. A copy will not do.
You should also have two
photo IDs with you.
If you choose not to carry your passport at all
times, we advise that you carry a copy of
your current passport and visa with your
I-94. Your photo must be clear and visible.
Keep track of critical
information on your
I-20 Form 
Keep track of critical
information on your
DS-2019 Form 
Keep critical information up to date!
Inform the IPS office if you …

Shorten or extend your program
 Change your major or course of study
 Change your academic level
 Withdraw from Michigan Tech
And please, let us know about changes before they occur.

How Do You Maintain Your Status?
Keep your passport up to date.



Your passport must be valid at least 6 months
into the future.
You cannot stay in the U.S. with an expired
passport.
When you renew your passport, provide a copy
of the new passport or renewal to IPS.
Expired visa?
 You
may stay in the U.S. with an expired visa.
 If you travel outside the U.S. with an expired visa, you will
need to renew it before you can return to the US.
 No one can guarantee that your visa will
be renewed.
How Do You Maintain Your Status?
Inform IPS any time you change your address.
Report any change of address to the IPS office



Report changes within 10 days of your move.
Report every change of local address, even if you move to
another apartment in the same building.
Report every change of address while on CPT/OPT or
student exchange.
How Do You Maintain Your Status?
Inform IPS any time you change your address.
You must report your address changes using our web form:
Questions?
How do you maintain Your Visa Status?
How Do You Maintain Your Status?
Enroll as a full-time student


Register for courses each semester of the academic
year
Do not drop below a full course load without prior
approval from an IPS Advisor


12 credits for undergraduate students
9 credits for graduate students
How do you Maintain Your Status?
1.
Pay your bill by the deadline


At the Cashier’s Office
Online by credit card (even if you’re out of the
country)
2. “Confirm” your enrollment
 If you pay your entire bill, this is automatic
 BUT… it’s a good practice to ALWAYS check to see if
this has been done
 Go to the Cashier’s window OR online to “confirm
enrollment”
How Do You Maintain Your Status?
Attend School…
Register for, and attend classes, at the school that
issued your SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019.
How Do You Maintain Your Status?
Vacation?

Summer is the standard vacation term.

You are allowed one vacation term during
each 12-month period. This does not have to
be summer!

If you want to take a non-standard vacation
term, you MUST complete the appropriate IPS
forms and consult with an IPS advisor.
How Do You Maintain Your Status?
In order to maintain your VISA status, you must
maintain your MTU student status.
If you are suspended, you cannot register, and if you cannot
register, you cannot stay in status for visa purposes.
In order to maintain your VISA status, you must
maintain your MTU student status …
 Keep your GPA at or above 2.0 every semester.
 Know and abide by MTU regulations:
Violating the rules about harassment, computer use, drug & alcohol use,
academic integrity, health insurance, and bill payment deadlines can cause
you to fall out of status.
 Know and abide by Michigan and
US laws:
Violating State and Federal rules can cause you to fall out of status.


File an income tax return.
Do not drive without a valid driver’s license.
Questions?
How do you maintain your visa status?
If you obtain employment while you are in the
US, you must apply for a Social Security Card.
 You
may NOT apply before you have a job.
 You should
 You
NOT apply before you have reported for work.
may NOT apply until you have been in the US at least
10 days.
Warning!
Having a Social Security card does
not, in itself, mean that you may
accept a job off-campus.
Know the rules that govern
student on-campus employment.

Work hours are limited to part-time during the semester
(no more than 20 hours per week no matter how many
jobs you have).

Full-time work (40 hours per week) is allowed during
semester breaks, vacations, and summer.

You may work full-time during the summer even if you’re
registered for classes.
On-campus work opportunities:
http://www.career.mtu.edu/students/jobresources.php
Do not work off-campus without
employment authorization.
To be employed legally off-campus, you must obtain IPS and/or
USCIS authorization before any employment begins.



Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for internships and
co-ops
Optional Practical Training (OPT) for employment
after completion of your program and/or coursework
Economic Hardship authorization for extreme
financial emergencies
Traveling outside the US?

Have your I-20 or DS-2019 signed for travel by an IPS
advisor before you leave the US.

Follow the travel guidelines on the IPS website so
that your re-entry to the US goes smoothly.

Give IPS a copy of your new I-94 when you return.
The travel
signature on
your I-20 or
DS-2019…
Date must be within 6
months of your return
to the U.S.
When you return,
provide IPS with a copy
of your new I-94. We
are required by Federal
regulations to keep
these numbers on file.
Questions?
Tracking Your Status…
Your student status is tracked by a federally mandated
monitoring and tracking system:
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
SEVIS
Your Immigration Advisor will record progress to
degree, term-by-term registration, off-campus
employment, address changes, and other changes in
your program through on-line access to the SEVIS
system.
If a spouse and/or child is coming to join you …
Notify the IPS of any F-2 or J-2 dependents who
may join you while you study.

Provide proof of financial support for dependent

Provide biographical and immigration information

An F-2 spouse is not eligible to work or study.
Recreation or ESL activities only are allowed. 
If a spouse and/or child is here with you …
Note that J-2 dependents are
required by law to have medical
insurance while they are in the
US.
HELP! Help! Help! Help! Help!
This is our job…
If you have any questions about maintaining your
status while studying at Michigan Tech, or if you
think you may be out of status, or if you just need
to check to be sure, please visit the IPS Office and
talk with an advisor.
131 Admin Bldg
487-2160
[email protected]
 Call
the IPS office to schedule an appointment
with an advisor – 906.487.2160
 In emergencies, contact Public Safety –
906.487.2216
 Email
[email protected]
 Attend scheduled employment workshops.
 Use the IPS website …
www.ips.mtu.edu
A Most Important Request …
Please read your MTU email regularly
Please read ALL email from IPS staff
jlpindra - Janey Pindral
 dlarmist – Donna Armistead
 emmurrel – Dr. Elizabeth Murrell
 gkgustaf – Greta Gustafson
 mjsteven – Mary J. Stevens
 mjvogler – Dr. Marilyn Vogler
 ips

International Students Responsibility Contract
 Please read
this contract carefully. It is a legal contract.
 Ask questions if you do not understand any part of the
contract.
 After your questions have been answered, sign and
date the document.
 The gold copy will be collected; keep the tan sample
copy for your records.