Description
This resource will provide initial information about issues that are commonly experienced while advising international students. In addition, this page will provide ideas about where to gather further information or referral sources.

* Note: for updates to immigration rules, regulations, and policies that change frequently, bookmark the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) website especially for Academic Advisers: http://www.isss.umn.edu/services/advising/

Who are international students?
International students have been granted non-immigrant temporary visas by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) solely for the purpose of study. The University is required by the federal government to monitor their progress. This category does not include non-U.S. citizens who are classified as refugees or permanent residents. See “Advising Refugee and Permanent Resident Students.”

In Fall Semester 2005 the international student enrollment on the Twin Cities campus was 3,384 from 124 countries. Graduate students comprise the largest group of international students: 2,797, while 450 of them were undergraduates and 137 were not seeking a degree at the University of Minnesota. Fifty percent were from just three countries: People’s Republic of China, India, and the Republic of Korea. In fact, East Asian students have predominated for many years. CLA enrolled 145 degree-seeking undergraduates, while other 17 non-degree students were enrolled in CLA.

Because international students have had experiences in a wide variety of school systems before coming here, they can present complex problems for advisers who are helping them register. This section is intended to serve as a guide for advisers who work with international students to solve some of these problems.

International Student and Scholar Services
International Student and Scholar Services
190 Humphrey Center
Phone: (612) 626-7100
Fax: (612) 626-7361
E-mail: isss@umn.edu
Website: www.isss.umn.edu/

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), is the part of the Office of International Programs (OIP) that serves as a resource for international students and scholars and their advisers. ISSS staff members advise international students, from the prospective student stage through graduation and beyond, with special attention to the visa issues involved. ISSS provides information and counseling about academic, immigration, legal, career, financial, personal and family issues, as well as issues of cross-cultural adjustment and professional integration upon returning to home countries.

ISSS staff communicates with students in person, on the web, and with regular publications:

The International Student Arrival Guide is given to the new student upon arriving at the ISSS office. It provides vital information needed for the days before the orientation, such as transportation, telephoning, email, banking, temporary housing, and health insurance.

The International Student Handbook provides additional information that students need to maintain their visa status and introduce them to the programs and services at the University as well as places of interest in the area. It is available online: http://www.isss.umn.edu/new/HandBook/HandBook.html

ISSS Weekly Update email newsletter notifies the University Community of new visa regulations and ISSS programs. International students scholars are responsible for the information in the ISSS Weekly Update and subscribe at this website: http://www.isss.umn.edu/weeklyupdate/ or read it online.

Application and Admission Process

• International application procedure
Most international students make initial contact with the Office of Admissions by letter, email, or by using the internet. Still, other students make contact in person or through a friend or relative. Admissions staff responds to international student inquiries by sending a packet that includes an international student application for admission. The packet also includes a brochure prepared for prospective international students, which contains information about English requirements, financial responsibilities, housing, general information about the University, and a list of majors offered within each of the colleges. The items in the international admission packet are available on the Office of Admissions website (www.admissions.tc.umn.edu/).

All applications for admission to the College of Liberal Arts are processed in the Office of Admissions. An application from an international student, like one from a U.S. citizen, is considered complete when the Office of Admissions has received;

• an application form with all essential information provided,
• an application fee,
• official transcripts with certified translations from all secondary and postsecondary institutions attended,
• English proficiency exam results if English is not the student’s native language and,
• the Financial Certification Form for all students who require an I-20 from the University of Minnesota in order to obtain an F-1 student visa.

The I-20 is a U.S. immigration forms for non-immigrants issued by a U.S school indicating that a student has been admitted to study at that school. The I-20 is required for an individual to obtain a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate in his or her country. It is also required for a student to transfer from one educational institution to another in the United States.

• Admission criteria
A decision to admit a student is based on the student’s past academic record. After the initial admittance decision is made, the Office of Admissions then considers the applicant’s English proficiency and financial resources.

1. Academic record: In general, CLA requires international students to present the approximate equivalent of a B average from an international secondary school or the equivalent of 2.5 GPA from a U.S. college or university or an internationally recognized college or university. A higher college GPA is required for certain majors (for example: pre-computer science, pre-management, pre-pharmacy, pre-health science, and pre-education).
2. English proficiency: The University of Minnesota accepts the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB).

Most undergraduate programs at the University of Minnesota require a specific minimum score (see the chart below). Some undergraduate programs may admit students with lower scores, but will require an additional test prior to registration. The results of this test will determine if any additional English courses will be required.

An official report of the TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS scores should be sent to the Office of Admissions. Our TOEFL institutional code is 6874.

Students who have taken the ACT exam and scored 18 or higher on both the English and the Reading sections or 430 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading (verbal) section will not be required to take an English language test.

These students may register for a full course load and are not required to take English as second language (ESL) courses. Students who score below these figures will have an AZ hold. An AZ hold requires students, prior to registration each semester, to meet with a staff member at International Student and Scholar Service (ISSS) or the English Language Program, and enroll in part-time ESL courses. The staff member then removes the AZ hold temporarily to enable the student to enroll for academic classes. Staff will ensure that the AZ hold is not released permanently until the student is proficient in English and able to handle full-time academic studies. For more information on the AZ hold, see holds.

1. Financial resources:

To issue a Notification of Admission, or I-20 form, admissions must ascertain that an international student has the necessary financial resources for at least their first year of study in the United States. Each student must complete a financial certification form for this purpose.

• Notification of Admission (the I-20 form)
Once a student has been admitted and has shown evidence of English proficiency and financial capability, the Office of Admissions sends him or her a letter of acceptance. After the student confirms their attendance, admissions will send the student an I-20.

Students are warned that acceptance to the pre-professional program (CLA) does not imply admission to the professional program. Admissions also sends the student a welcome brochure from the International Student and Scholar Services about housing, orientation, arrival, and other concerns.

After Arrival

• Housing
The International Reception Center (IRC) is temporary on-campus housing available to all newly admitted international students before the start of the fall semester. The IRC is held in the Centennial residence hall. A reservation is not needed. This opportunity for housing is available only to students. Spouses and children are not eligible to stay at the IRC. International students can stay at the IRC approximately between July 18th and August 31st. This gives student time to look for permanent housing. The cost of staying at the IRC is approximately $18 per night for a double, and $21.50 per night for a single. For more information about temporary housing, go to: www.isss.umn.edu/new/temphousing.html

• International Student Document Check and Orientation Program
International students are required upon their arrival to visit International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to show their immigration documents and sign up for the mandatory international student orientation program (ISOP), which is held before the beginning of each semester (except summer). At document check, ISSS staff members check students’ U.S. immigration documents and temporarily remove the international student hold (AI hold) preventing students’ registration. At ISOP, staff members provide information to help students adjust to life in the United States and at the University of Minnesota. They also give students the information they need to help them maintain their legal student status and to understand University policies and procedures. Upon the completion of ISOP, the international student hold (AI hold) will be permanently removed.

Other Document Information
Control over the admission and duration of an international student’s stay in the United States is generally vested in two governmental agencies: the Department of State, which issues visas allowing the student to enter the United States, and the Department of Justice, which regulates through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (now part of the Department of Homeland Security [DHS]) subsequent extensions of stay after the original entry as well as work permission and reinstatement or adjustments of legal status. Regulations change frequently; it is important that international students keep current on rules and regulations. International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) informs and advises international students on government (immigration) regulations. Final responsibility for complying with the law and regulations, however, rests with the student.

Individuals who enter the United States usually have four documents as evidence of legal status: a passport, the visa stamp in the passport (entry visa), an I-94 form (a white 3 x 4 card stapled into the passport), and the I-20 if an F-1 student (For more information: http://www.isss.umn.edu/fstudent/default.html) or the DS-2019 form if a J-1 student (For more information: http://www.isss.umn.edu/jstudent/Jstudent.html). These documents indicate visa type and legal status and are necessary for a student’s stay in the United States and also for his or her temporary departure from and reentry into the United States.

• Passport
The passport is evidence that a student’s government has authorized the student to leave and reenter his or her home country. It is issued for a specific period of time. When visiting ISSS to discuss their legal status, students should bring their passport as well as I-94 and I-20 or DS-2019.

Students must maintain a valid passport at all times. Federal law does not allow an F-1 visa holder to enter the United States or to be employed in the United States if the passport is expired. Passport extension requests should be filed six months prior to the expiration date. Students should contact their consulate in the U.S. for passport renewal information. Addresses and telephone numbers for: <http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/fco/>. Students should record their passport number in case they lose the document.

• Visa
The visa, issued by a U.S. consulate abroad, authorizes a non-citizen to enter the United States for a specific purpose, usually for a set period. Most international students hold either an F-1 or J-1 visa. Both are temporary non-immigrant visas.

Note: If an adviser sees a student on a visa other than F-1 or J-1, the student should be referred to ISSS (190 Humphrey Center) for clarification of his or her legal status.

1. F-1 visas: The F-1 student visa is issued by a U.S. consulate abroad when the applicant presents an I-20 form (which verifies that the applicant has been admitted to a U.S. college or university and evidence of financial support. The applicant is required to have sufficient funds to cover expenses for at least one year, to agree to carry a full-time program of study, and to know English well enough to pursue that program. The applicant must further agree not to work for wages in the United States without permission from ISSS or immigration service for off-campus employment, and to return to his or her country when the program is completed.

2. J-1 visas: The J-1 (or “exchange visitor”) visa is issued to a participant in an exchange visitor program. The participant may be a student, trainee, teacher, professor, research scholar or specialist, professional trainee, or international visitor in a field of specialized knowledge. Most J-1s in CLA will be in the “student” category. Students in the J-1 “student” category are required to carry a fulltime course of study, know English well enough to pursue the intended program, have sufficient funds to cover expenses, and return to his or her country when the program is completed.

3. F-2 and J-2 visas: The spouse or child (under age 21) of a student on an F-1 or J-1 visa enters the United States on an F-2 or J-2 visa and may stay as long as the F-1 or J-1 student’s status is valid. F-2 dependents are not allowed to take courses or be employed on- or off-campus. People on J-2 visas are allowed to take coursework with no restriction on credit minimums. J-2 visa holders may work if they have been issued employment authorization by the immigration service.

• Extension of visa

1. F-1 visas: International students with F-1 visas should have “D/S” (which stands for Duration of Status) written or stamped on their arrival-departure card (known as the 1-94 card). This means that they remain in status with the Immigration Service if they continue to register for a full course of study each academic semester (summer not included) and they do not remain in their program beyond the completion date noted on their I-20. If a student needs more time to complete the program, she or he should see an ISSS adviser at 190 Humphrey Center, before the end date on their I-20 to discuss applying for a Program Extension. Delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons to apply for a program extension.

2. J-1 visas: J-1 visa holders must renew their stays before the expiration date of their DS-2019 documents. The extension should be processed by their J-1 sponsors that issued their DS-2019 documents.

Advisers and students should contact ISSS (626-7100) with any questions concerning the extension of student visas.

• Employment Authorization: International students on F-1 or J-1 visas can work on campus without work permission up to 20 hours a week during an academic semester and up to 40 hours a week during a break period. F-1 or J-1 visas may be eligible to participate in off-campus employment to gain practical work experience in their field of study. Students must be in good standing at the University and meet other eligibility criteria.

1. F-1 Students-Practical Training: There are two types of practical training available for F-1 students - Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). F-1 students applying for either type of practical training are required by ISSS to obtain a signature from their college adviser on the Student Request/Academic Adviser Verification form. CPT is authorized by ISSS. OPT requests have to be first recommended by ISSS and then authorized by the immigration service (USCIS), which generally takes about 3 months, and students are not allowed to start employment without USCIS authorization.

2. J-1 Students-Academic Training: Work authorization for J-1 students is called academic training. J-1 students who wish to pursue academic training are required by ISSS to obtain a letter from their college academic adviser that follows the guidelines provided in the Academic Training application. Students should visit ISSS to meet with an advisor to get the specific details on how to apply for either type of practical training or academic training.

Advising Issues for International Students

• Minimum credit load
Undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota on F-1 or J-1 visas are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits each semester. [For questions on minimum enrollment contact an ISSS adviser at 626-7100]. Students who drop below 12 credits in any one term may be “out of legal status” and are placing themselves in potential jeopardy. Non-degree seeking students are also required to take at least 12 credits each semester.

However, the University’s 13 credit requirement for all undergraduate students who started Fall 2002 or later does apply to international students. International students who started Fall 2002 or later will still be billed for 13 credits unless filing an approved exemption.

Neither minimum credit requirement is in effect during summer sessions in compliance with immigration regulations and University policy.

• Exceptions to the 12 credit “legal student status” rule
Exceptions are granted by ISSS with approval also required by academic advisers, but students must have appropriate documentation to support the request for an exception. The following are some of the acceptable reasons for not meeting the minimum credit load requirement: improper course level placement; documented health problems; inability to understand the teacher because of language difficulties. In some cases involving special academic problems, the academic adviser may need to provide written verification, on letterhead, of the reason. Also, please note that F-1 students (the majority of international students) may only use an exception for “academic difficulty” during one semester as an undergraduate student. Students and academic advisers should carefully read the Reduced Course Load Form before signing. Students should be advised to maintain full-time enrollment until final approval for canceling is secured from ISSS.

The Reduced Course Load Form should be completed and carried by students to ISSS after being signed by either the department or college academic adviser. They must submit the form to an ISSS adviser during walk-ins or at a scheduled appointment time. The form can be obtained by the student at ISSS or downloaded from the ISSS website.

It is not necessary to submit an exception form for an incomplete.

• Procedures for international undergraduate students attempting to register for less than 13 credits
In order to register for less than 13 credits in any semester, or if they intend to drop below 13 credits due to withdrawal or cancellation during the semester, students must fill out, have signed by an academic adviser, and submit the form(s) below, depending on how many credits the student will be registered for:

1. If total credit load is less than 12 credits, students must submit 2 forms:
   1. The ISSS’s Reduced Course Load Form must be signed by an academic adviser and submitted to ISSS before the semester begins. (If approved, this will allow students to maintain immigration status with a reduced course load.)
   2. The Request for a Reduced Credit Load form must be submitted to the student’s college office. (If approved, this will allow students to pay for the actual number of credits enrolled in rather than the higher uniform rate for 13 or more credits. It will also preserve the student’s place in the registration queue.)
2. If total credit load is exactly 12 credits, students must submit the Request a Reduced Credit Load form to the college. (If approved, this will allow students to pay for 12 credits rather than the higher uniform rate for 13 or more credits. It will also preserve the student’s place in the registration queue.). Students DO NOT need to submit an ISSS Reduced Course Load form.
3. If total credit load is 13 credits or more, students DO NOT need to submit either exception form.

The above guidelines also hold if students drop below 13 credits because of withdrawal or cancellation. Students should consult with both an academic adviser and an ISSS adviser before dropping below 13 credits and should be advised to maintain full-time enrollment until final approval for dropping or canceling is secured from ISSS.

• IDL coursework and English as a Second Language (ESL) credits
International students are allowed to take one Independent Distance Learning (IDL) course per semester, but they must finish that course during the semester even if it is a nine-month course. Term-based IDL courses do count as IDL courses, and count toward the one allowed per semester.

The immigration service allows ESL courses to be counted toward the full-course-of-study requirement.

• Transfer to another institution
An international student may transfer to another institution, including other UMN campuses, if the student has maintained a full course of study at the U of MN and has otherwise maintained legal status. A student planning to transfer should look on the ISSS website for general information and then contact ISSS for information on the visa transfer process before finalizing transfer plans.

• Concurrent Enrollment
Generally, international students need to maintain full time status at the UMN, but occasionally, a situation arises in which a student wishes to enroll, but not transfer to, another institution to complete their full time status. These situations are considered on a case by case basis, and must be referred to an ISSS adviser.

• Communication concerns
Refugees and international students, even those who are proficient enough in English to be exempt from ESL courses, often have difficulty expressing themselves in English to an adviser or faculty members.
Creating a friendly, nonjudgmental atmosphere will help students more freely express themselves in English. Advisers may wish to bear the following suggestions in mind:

1. The adviser should speak clearly and should be careful not to use complex vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.
2. If a number of steps must be accomplished in a given task, it is best to note those on paper for the students to take with them at the end of the interview.
3. It is easy to assume understanding when it does not exist. Asking the student to repeat instructions will help the adviser determine whether the student genuinely understands the procedure or issue. If the student seems not to have understood, rephrase the information using simpler terms. Do not repeat the information in a louder voice.

• Cultural concerns
Coming from an education system that strictly prescribes a curriculum and offers few electives, some international students have a very difficult time understanding that they must make many of the choices about their academic programs. The adviser should make very clear the differences between an open choice academic program (typical of most U.S. universities) and a fixed program, and discuss what is expected of the student. The adviser should also identify required courses, sequential courses, and those with prerequisites.

To many international students, the position of adviser is one of high status, warranting extreme respect. The adviser is seen as being able to tell the student the right thing to do. This results in some students taking a very passive or dependent stance with an adviser rather than expressing any disagreement. The student may appear to agree to do things an adviser suggests, without internalizing or questioning his or her ability to follow through, often resulting in frustration and inaction. Explaining carefully the role of an adviser in the United States—what the student can expect from the adviser and vice versa—usually alleviates this problem.

Students with academic problems often have personal problems as well. These can range from financial, legal, or health concerns to more personal issues about family, friends, decision-making, culture shock, or loneliness. CLA advisers should remember that their task is academic advising. Many ISSS staff are trained counselors who are equipped to handle problems of culture shock, study skills, financial aid and other more serious situations. The CLA adviser should, of course, discuss nonacademic problems with the student in enough detail to gauge the seriousness of the problem and determine the most appropriate referral. ISSS staff would welcome working collaboratively with CLA advisers that may have concerns about international students that they are advising.

ISSS is generally the first referral for any nonacademic problem, and the University Counseling and Consulting Services, the Learning and Academic Skills Center, or the Boynton Health Service counseling system might be appropriate referrals as well.

Other Affiliated Organizations

• The Minnesota International Student Association (MISA)
825 Washington Ave. SE CMU 105
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 625-6119
E-mail: misa@umn.edu
http://misauofm.org/

The Minnesota International Student Association (MISA) is a student organization with over 4000 students and an alliance of 12 other strong and representative student associations at the University of Minnesota. Through this network of member associations and the help from the University, MISA represents and defends the interests of international students.

MISA strives to promote cultural awareness and international understanding on the U of M campus and the surrounding community. One of the means by which MISA achieves this objective is by its cultural grant program to promote, advocate and advance the international students rights, interests and privileges in the US. The major objectives of MISA are to foster international education and cross-cultural awareness; to provide a representative channel through which special interests and problems of foreign students and international concerns of all students may be brought to the attention of the University administration, the student body, and the community; and to coordinate international activities and programs that enhance intercultural interaction. MISA sponsors a fall welcome party, fall and spring trips, barbecues, films, and sports teams.

MISA activities are announced in the Minnesota Daily and in the association’s newsletter, which is sent to members. MISA also publishes a magazine, International Student. Information is also available from the MISA office.

• The Minnesota International Center (MIC)
Minnesota International Center
711 East River Road
Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
Tel: 612.625.4421
Fax: 612.624.1984
Email: mic@umn.edu
http://www.micglobe.org/

MIC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community organization whose purpose is to promote global exchange and understanding between Minnesotans and the world. MIC works closely with international students, scholars, faculty, and departments of the University of Minnesota and other area campuses. There are many programs and opportunities at MIC for internationals interested in learning learn more about the people and communities of Minnesota beyond the campus confines.

Opportunities for international students and scholars include being hosted for dinner in a Minnesota home; sharing one’s culture with kids in Minnesota schools; trips to smaller communities outside the Twin Cities; foreign affairs lectures and public forums; and many internship and volunteer opportunities.