Online Orientation
UT Chattanooga International Students
· This orientation is required of all new international students arriving from outside the U.S. and those transferring in from other U.S. institutions.
Please read this entire document. At the end of the orientation, print the document and sign your name as instructed. You must bring this signed statement with you to the mandatory check-in session when you arrive on campus. If you do not complete the orientation and submit the signed page, your SEVIS record will not be activated at UT Chattanooga and your F-1 status will be terminated.
Welcome to The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga!
Responsibilities of the International Student Advisor and the International Student
International Student Advisor:
1. Advise F-1 students concerning immigration issues and assist with the filing of immigration benefits through SEVIS and USCIS.
2. Maintain accurate reporting and record-keeping as required by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
3. Ensure university compliance with all federal rules and regulations pertaining to the tracking of F-1 international students.
The International Student Advisor must balance the responsibilities he/she has to the Department of Homeland Security, the state of Tennessee, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and the student. The Advisor is trained in the federal F-1 rules and regulations and is able to properly advise an F-1 student on matters of immigration to ensure the student maintain legal status while enrolled at UTC. The U.S. government ultimately holds the individual student responsible for maintaining the F-1 status. Please read the second page of the issued I-20 and specifically the section for students.
International Student:
1. Enroll in a full course load each fall and spring semester. Undergraduate (12 semester hours) and graduate (9 semester hours). Summer is optional enrollment.
2. Consult with the International Advisor befre dropping below the required course load. The academic advisor or friends omay tell you that this is permitted but because F-1s have specific rules to follow, ask the international advisor before processing a drop.
3. Report a change of address to the International Student Services Office (ISS) within 10 business days of the change.
4. Report changes in sources of financial support to the ISS.
5. Report changes to program of study to the ISS. Proof of funding must match program of study.
6. Report changes in academic standing (probation, suspension, dismissal) to the ISS.
7. Request work authorization through the ISS Office before accepting employment of any type.
8. Notify the ISS of plans to travel outside the U.S. The ISS Office will check immigration documents.
9. Report to the ISS Office upon returning to the U.S. after travel outside the U.S. ISS will make sure the SEVIS record correctly reflects travel.
10. Notify the ISS upon approval or denial of a change to non-immigrant status.
11. Consult with the ISS when requiring an extension to non-immigrant status.
12. Notify the ISS if planning to transfer the F-1 status to another U.S. school or if planning to return to home country.
13. Notify the ISS of changes in dependent status.
It is the responsibility of the student to maintain his/her F-1 student status. This includes updating the International Student Advisor with the above listed information.
Legal Documents
As an F-1 status student you have important legal documents that prove you are legally in the U.S. These documents state purpose of stay and duration of stay. The four important documents are the passport, I-20, visa, and I-94.
1. Passport. You must have a valid (non-expired) passport at all times while in the U.S. Immigration suggests you should renew the passport within six months of the expiration date. The passport must be valid for six or more months when applying for a visa or other immigration benefits while in the U.S.
2. I-20. This is the document used for requesting an F-1 visa. Important information on the I-20 include the SEVIS ID number (top right corner), program of study, beginning and ending date of your program, and authorizations that may have been made (CPT, OPT, RCL). The International Advisor signs the I-20 on the first and third pages. The third page signature is valid for one year with a valid I-20, for travel purposes. The student will sign section (11) on the first page of the I20.
3. Visa. The visa is the entry document issued by a U.S. Embassy (outside of the U.S.). The visa indicates the length of time you are permitted to enter or re-enter the U.S. either one time or multiple times. The visa notes the visa type (F-1 for the student and F-2 for any dependents), the expiration date, and number of times entry is permitted. Pay attention to the visa expiration date. You cannot enter the U.S. on an expired visa. You may remain in the U.S. with an expired visa, if all other documents remain valid. If your visa expires while you are in the U.S. and all documents are valid, you continue to have legal status. When you do travel and the visa is expired it will be necessary to interview with the U.S. Embassy again to request a visa extension.
4. I-94. This document is very important while you remain in the U.S. The I-94 lists the date you entered the U.S., the Port of Entry (POE), the visa type, and permitted length of stay. The length of stay should be duration of status (D/S). D/S means you are permitted to remain in the U.S. for as long as you maintain the F-1 student status. The I-94 can only be printed after processing through POE. The POE does not do this for the student. A clear copy of the I-94 is needed for student check-in, applying for a Tennessee driver’s license, social security number, etc.
Keep each of these documents in a safe and dry place (as you travel and when in the U.S.). If questioned by a government official, failure to produce these documents can result in deportation. Replacing lost or stolen documents of this kind is difficult and time-consuming. Contact the ISS Office should your documents become lost or stolen.
Course Load
The F-1 student is required to maintain a full course enrollment during each spring and fall with a few exceptions that can be approved through the ISS Office. The F-1 visa reflects that your main purpose for coming to the U.S. is to study in a degree seeking program. The summer semester is optional you may enroll without a minimum course hour registration. You may also decide not to enroll for the summer. Courses are typically three credits each with some exception. A full course load for undergraduate is 12 semester hours and for graduate is 9 semester hours.
There are specific circumstances when an F-1 student may be permitted to drop below a full course enrollment. This is called a Reduced Course Load (RCL) and permission from the International Student Advisor is required. Reasons for RCL are initial difficulty with the English language as noted by the academic advisor or a documented medical situation. It should be noted by female students that USCIS does not consider pregnancy or duties of motherhood as an acceptable medical reason for RCL. Dropping below a full course enrollment without permission from the International Student Advisor results in the student being immediately out-of-status with USCIS as well as being in danger of termination of his/her SEVIS.
GPA Requirement
The Graduate School requires that a master’s or doctoral student maintain a 3.0 gpa on a 4.0 scale to remain in good academic standing. An undergraduate student is required to maintain a 2.0 or higher gpa to remain in good academic standing. The student may wish to review further information in the respective graduate and undergraduate catalogs found at the UTC home page, www.utc.edu on the Record’s Office link.
Employment
The good news is that all F-1 students in good academic and immigration standing are allowed to work up to twenty hours per week on campus beginning the first week of class. The ISS Office cannot find employment but you will need to process through the ISS Office to request a social security number (required for employment in the U.S. and valid only with correct work authorization.) Full-time employment, 20+ hours per week, are permitted on-campus during holiday breaks and summer if not enrolled in summer classes.
Federal regulations state that off-campus employment is permitted under specific circumstances under certain criteria. Two full-time enrollment semesters in good academic and good immigration standing is required. Off campus employment includes CPT, OPT, and Economic Hardship. You should visit the ISS Office for further explanation. REMEMBER—no off campus employment without processing through the ISS Office!
Social Security Card [available only to employed international students]
Social Security is the means the U.S. government uses to track workers in the U.S. Each citizen has a social security number and card. Each international student who wishes to work in the U.S. must obtain a social security number/card to receive payment for his/her work. Students who will work and require a social security (SS) number should come to the ISS Office for further processing forms/information.
It is important to note that new international students must be in the U.S. at least 10 business days and registered in SEVIS for at least 48 hours before making application for the SS number. This is an SS Administration requirement and not a requirement of UTC.
USCIS allows new incoming international students to arrive up to 30 days before the first date of class. There will be several check-in sessions listed on the acceptance material. SEVIS registration is completed after attending one check-in session.
Taxes
As a student paid for work at UTC, you will have income tax withheld from the paycheck each pay period. You may file a tax return form the next spring after the previous year of employment. If there is a tax treaty between the U.S. and the home country or too much tax was withheld, you will receive a refund by completing a tax return. If you paid too little tax, you will be required to pay the additional tax amount. There are local tax agencies that can prepare these forms but the cost is the responsibility of the student.
Course Registration
Attendance at one mandatory check-in session is required before the registration hold is removed from the student account. Graduate students will meet with the program coordinator for advising and registration. Undergraduate students with a declared major should contact the department of the major for an advising appointment and undergraduates who have not declared a major should contact the Center for Advisement and Student Success. 423-425-4573
Payment of Fees
It is very important to pay close attention to the fee payment deadlines each semester. Please review further information at the following website:
http://www.utc.edu/about/money-matters.php
Immunizations and Health Services
Please review the Student Health Services website at http://www.utc.edu/student-health-services/. NOTE the section on Immunizations. The immunization form must be submitted before course registration will be permitted. The ISS Office does not have authority over this hold so be sure to submit the information to the correct location. The site to download the form is Immunization Form .
Sickness and Accident Insurance
The purchase of sickness and accident insurance is required of all F-1 students. The cost will be added to the course fee payment and paid through the Bursar’s Office. There is not a waiver of this requirement. This coverage also includes repatriation and evacuation coverage.
Safety and Security
While no area is entirely without crime, Chattanooga and UTC is a very safe place to live. As most crimes involve theft, you should take special care to secure your belongings and always lock your car door and the door of your residence. It is also a good idea to walk with friends, especially at night. You will be given information at the check-in session pertaining to the university alert system for telephones, computers, and class rooms.
International students are advised that laws in the U.S. might differ greatly from those in their home country. You should know that in the U.S. the legal drinking age is 21. Buying or consuming alcohol by persons under the age of 21 is illegal. Additionally, strict laws govern drinking and driving, even for the person over age 21.
Student ID
Upon arrival on campus you should visit the Mocs Card Office located at 141 University Center to obtain your student id card. The Mocs Card is used a door key to on campus housing, classrooms/labs, dining services, library services, etc.
Housing
On-campus website is http://www.utc.edu/housing/ .
Living arrangements for off-campus are the responsibility of the student.
Tennessee Driver’s License
If you will have a car, you will need a driver’s license. The below link will provide information pertaining to Tennessee laws and requirements.
http://www.state.tn.us/safety/driverlicense/tdl.htm
Check-in at UTC
USCIS allows international students to arrive up to 30 days before classes begin. The dates and times of the check-in offerings will be mailed with the acceptance packet. It is mandatory to attend at least one check-in session. If you arrive early and have not made housing arrangements, be prepared to stay in a local hotel until you move on campus or find off-campus living arrangements.
Bring the following items to the check-in session:
Passport
Visa
I-20
I-94 (printed from the directions provided by POE Officicer)
I have read and understand this Orientation document and agree to abide by the rules and regulations my F-1 visa status.
Print Name______
Sign Name______
Date______