Section VI.
International Student Affairs
A. Immigration Information
In order to enter the United States and study at FMU legally, international students must comply with U.S. immigration laws and regulations as dictated by the United States Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS – A Bureau of the Department of Homeland Security) and the U.S. Department of State (DoS). To assist with these matters, FMU has several staff members who serve as Designated School Officials (DSO) who may provide information and authorization to the student on some immigration issues. Current staff members serving as DSOs include the Director of Admissions, the Coordinator for International Student Affairs, and the Dean of Students.
B. Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS)
SEVIS is a computer database operated by the USCIS that maintains information on all international students in the United States holding F-1, J-1, or M-1 visas. All students with these Visas are required to be registered in SEVIS and to possess an I-20 form generated by SEVIS. Currently, FMU may issue I-20 forms for students seeking F-1 visas.
Certain FMU employees are assigned as Designated School Officials (DSO), allowing them to access SEVIS, update student files, sign documentation, and perform other functions allowed by the Department of Homeland Security. Student Affairs staff members assigned as DSOs include the Vice President, Dean of Students, Coordinator for Multicultural Affairs, and the Administrative Assistant for the Dean of Students.
C. Student Visa (F-1)
Students must be admitted to the university before applying for an F-1 visa, which may be granted at a U.S. consulate or embassy to an individual who is qualified to pursue a full course of study at an academic or language institution authorized to admit foreign students. At the embassy or consulate, the individual will be required to submit the following items:
· A SEVIS I-20 form (issued by Francis Marion University, consists of three pages with signatures from the Designated School Official)
· Proof of adequate funding for one year of study (or the length of the program if less than one year)
· Application for a nonimmigrant visa (OF-156)
· Proof that he or she intends to enter the United States for educational purposes only
· Proof of permanent residence in a foreign country and strong family or business ties which he or she has no intention of abandoning.
It is extremely important for a student on an F-1 visa to maintain legal status throughout the program of study in the U.S. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act places a particular emphasis on the need for students to take responsibility for maintaining F-1 student status. Please refer to the section titled “Maintaining Legal Status” to review the basic immigration regulations governing F-1 students.
B. Maintaining Legal Status
There are basic requirements for maintaining student status in the United States. It is very important that international students follow the guidelines listed below to ensure they remain in good standing with the USCIS:
· Keep passport valid at all times.
· Attend the school noted on the I-20.
· Update all personal information with the Designated School Official for the SEVIS program.
· Maintain full-time enrollment each semester.
· Do not engage in studies beyond the completion date listed on the I-20 or IAP-66. If more time is needed, report to the ISA Office to seek information about a program extension before the completion date has passed.
· Report a change of address or phone number to International Student Affairs Office.
· Report changes of major or degree level to the ISA Office.
· Report intentions to transfer to another school or leave FMU to the ISA Office.
· Do not work without obtaining proper employment permission from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FMU International Student Affairs Office. Limit on-campus employment to a total of 20 hours per week (even if you have more than one job) while school is in session. Prior to accepting any employment, international students must consult with the ISA Office for assistance.
For more complete information on U.S. Immigration laws and regulations, it is recommended that international students visit the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services web site at www.uscis.gov.
C. Travel and Reentry
Prior to leaving the United States, international students must:
· Ensure they have all the documents needed to reenter (Visa, passport, I-20, I-94).
· Have the I-20 endorsed by the international student adviser or designated school official on campus.
· Verify that the information on the I-20 is still accurate.
· Check the U.S. entry visa (which is stamped in the passport) to be sure that it is still valid for additional entries. If it is not, the student will have to get a new entry from the U.S. embassy or consulate while you are abroad.
When traveling to the United States, students must have these documents on their person and available for inspection by the U.S. Customs Officials.
D. Housing Issues for International Students
Many international students choose to live in campus housing. By living on campus, students will have ready access to the library, computer center, the student center, sports and recreation facilities, dining hall, and academic buildings. Most important is the increased level of interaction with faculty, staff, and other students.
To live on campus, students must complete the FMU Housing Application and return it with the appropriate deposit as indicated in the acceptance letter received from the admissions office. International students must arrange for housing prior to their arrival in the United States. The FMU International Student Affairs advisor can assist students with information about their campus housing assignments. Currently, FMU does not offer assistance with off-campus housing for international students.
E. Driver’s License
To apply for or renew a driver's license, or to change the local address listed on a current South Carolina Driver’s License, the following documents are needed:
· Passport with I-94 card and visa
· I-20 form
· Certificate of enrollment at FMU which lists the student's current, local address. (Certificates of enrollment are available at the FMU Registrar's Office.)
· Social security card (if applicable)
· Certification of residence (such as a copy of a utility bill or a housing assignment card from the University).
· Current driver’s license from home country.
Some countries and territories have reciprocity, an agreement, with South Carolina. This reciprocity means that these countries have driver licensing standards equal to or greater than South Carolina. If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you do not have to take the knowledge or skills tests to exchange your license for a South Carolina license unless your license has expired. These countries currently include Canada, France, Germany, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
F. Social Security Number and Employment Issues
Federal regulations prohibit international students with an F-1 visa from receiving a valid Social Security number for employment purposes unless the student receives employment on the campus of the college or university in which they are enrolled. Francis Marion University has developed the following procedure to accommodate these situations.
1. The international student should see the Coordinator of International Student Affairs or the Dean of Students regarding applying for a valid social security number. The student should have the following to apply:
a. F-1 visa;
b. A letter from an FMU Official (Coordinator of ISA) that indicates the student is enrolled and in status, identifies the on-campus employer and describes the nature of the on-campus employment;
c. Verification of the on-campus employment via a statement or letter from the F-1 student’s campus employer;
d. Verification that the student is in-status (by the ISA or Dean of Students Office);
e. Upon receipt of the Social Security number/card, the student MUST furnish the SS number and a copy of the SS card to the Office of Financial Assistance, even if they are no longer working or even if they have left school, in order for FMU to report their wages as required by federal law.
2. The international student should go to the Financial Assistance office to fill out a W-4 form (the student may initially use the student identification number assigned by FMU that begins with “903”). They will need to provide or do the following:
a. F-1 visa (Financial Assistance will need to keep a copy);
b. Verification from the Social Security Administration that the student has applied for their social security number – FAO will need to keep a copy
c. The student will have to be taxed at the highest rate, single with “1” dependent. Additionally, the payroll office will tax the income based upon an additional $102 per pay period.
d. Upon receipt of the social security number, the student must complete a new W-4 with the correct information in the Office of Financial Assistance, who will then forward the new W-4 to the payroll office.
e. The student must compete the “International Student Employee Information Sheet” with the FMU Office of International Student Affairs prior to beginning employment.
3. The payroll office will be responsible for making the appropriate corrections to the social security administration when the corrected number is received. Payroll will also keep a list of those students who have applied for SS numbers.
4. Work limitations
a. In order for the University to meet federal tax filing guidelines, students with campus employment must apply for a social security number prior to September 30 of any calendar year. International Students without a valid Social Security number may not accept campus employment after September 30.
b. International students must adhere to all guidelines that apply to student employees in regards to the number of hours allowed to work, etc.
c. International students who do not receive a valid Social Security number within eight (8) weeks of application must cease working until the number is assigned.
G. International Student Guide
The ISA office maintains and distributes the International Student Guide with additional information for international students.
H. Student Records
All individual student records are maintained by the coordinator, and are accessible by the Dean of Students and Administrative Assistant. Student files are stored in a locked filing cabinet in the Coordinators office. The Administrative Assistant for the Dean of Students maintains a database containing individual international student information on a password-protected computer. Individual records are destroyed no sooner than five years upon a students graduation or of the last date enrolled.
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