OPT/STEM Reminders: Spring 2024

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To F-1 OPT and STEM participants:

Please take a moment to review all of the below information/updates as one or more may pertain to you.
NEW OPT PARTICIPANTS IN PARTICULAR, please ensure that you read all carefully and familiarize yourself with your reporting requirements!

Email Address Updates & UConn Google Use Retirement
Please be aware that UConn is currently in the process of  transitioning away from Google. This means that alumni access to the google drive and UConn email will discontinue as of April 30, 2024.  Please visit the link here to find information on forwarding your UConn email to a personal mailbox: https://its.uconn.edu/google-to-microsoft-365-transition/

Note that the email in your SEVIS record is the same as your “campus” email address in StudentAdmin.  If you no longer have a “campus” email then it changes to your “personal” email type.  If your “campus” address in StudentAdmin is currently a UConn email, you will need to either forward the email to a personal account using the instructions linked OR change the “campus” email address to a personal email address to ensure that you continue to receive important messages from SEVIS.  When you update your email address in StudentAdmin, it will then update in SEVIS as well.

Reporting Reminder
Remember that during your OPT and STEM periods, you are required to report any changes in employment within 10 days of the change. All changes in employment are reported using the OPT Employment Update links on the OPT and STEM pages. If you are currently on a STEM extension, be sure that you understand and follow the additional STEM validation reporting requirements. Additionally, be sure to send us a copy of your OPT and STEM OPT receipt notice, approval notice and EAD when they are issued.  You can submit this to us by submitting the Immigration Document Update in the ISSS Portal.

H1B Filing & Cap Gap
If your employer has filed an H1B petition on your behalf and your OPT/STEM will end prior to the H1B start date, you may request a Cap Gap I-20 from ISSS. Please visit our cap gap information page for more information and instructions for requesting the document.
If you will move directly from OPT/STEM to H1B (no cap gap), you will need to report the change using the Program Update link on our website. Do this in prior to the H1B start date of Oct 1.
Note that if you will transition from STEM to H1B, you will also need to submit a final evaluation with STEM Validation Report in Sept (prior to the H1B start date).

STEM Validation Reporting
If you are currently on a STEM extension, be sure that you understand and follow the STEM validation reporting requirements. If you are due to submit a Validation Report, you must do so through the link on the ISSS website. Validation Reports are due every 6 months during the 24-month STEM period (at the 6, 12, 18 and 24 month points).

Travel during OPT/STEM
Keep in mind that all F-1 visa holders and their dependents who travel outside the U.S. while OPT or STEM should report their travel to ISSS by completing a Travel Information Record to notify us of the plans, even if a travel signature is not needed. During your OPT/STEM period, travel signatures are valid for six months from date of issue. Check page 2 of your most recent I-20 to see if you already have a valid signature. If you do need one, please follow the instructions at the link and note that signatures can be issued electronically if you are not in the area.

Address Updates
As a reminder, F-1 visa holders are required to update addresses within 10 days of any move. Follow the instructions here to update an address.

Please contact your ISSS Advisor if you have any questions about these reminders.

Thank you!
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
https://international.global.uconn.edu

SEVP Portal Access and Display Issues

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Attention UConn Sponsored F-1 OPT/STEM Students:

UConn ISSS has received several reports from students on OPT and STEM OPT Extension that they are no longer able to access the SEVP Portal or that their employment information is not properly updated in the SEVP Portal.  Please understand that these problems are occurring at schools all over the U.S. and that this is a known technical issue with the SEVP Portal.

SEVP will be closing down the portal today to implement the fix and students should be able to login again and see their employment information by April 29.  In the meantime, ISSS can still access and update the SEVIS database with your employment information.

Be sure to continue submitting any employment updates to ISSS directly via the OPT Employment Update in the ISSS Portal.  Submit any personal address changes to ISSS via update your address in the ISSS Portal.

Continue to submit your address and/or employment updates to ISSS to ensure your data is properly updated in SEVIS.

Thank you,
UConn ISSS

Academic English Support Course for International Students

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The University of Connecticut American English Language Institute (UCAELI) will offer (2) special 6-week courses this semester designed to provide academic support to international students. These courses will feature strategies for developing English skills and academic skills in English to promote success. These are great courses for students who are struggling in their university courses because of English and/or because of a new academic culture. These courses will take place at the Storrs campus.

 

Topics in Academic English I
March 22 – April 26, 2024 (6 weeks)
Fridays, 3pm – 5:15pm

Deadline to Register – 3/21

 

Developing Reading Skills to Improve Speaking and Writing. 

This course will focus on the academic English skills needed to respond in speaking and writing to reading passages. Students will explore how to use readings to improve their sentence structure and vocabulary. The course will also review strategies on how to deal with long readings with many new vocabulary words and how students can use the material to demonstrate comprehension effectively.

 

Topics in Academic English II
March 18 – April 22, 2024 (6 weeks)
Mondays, 3pm – 5:15pm
Deadline to Register – 3/17

 

Using Lectures to Improve Listening, Speaking and Writing. 

This course will focus on integrating what is covered in lectures and discussions with listening, speaking, and writing skills. Academic strategies will include note taking and how to use course content, especially new vocabulary, to improve English proficiency.

 

Please visit our website for more information about these courses and to submit a request form to enroll.

https://englishlanguage.institute.uconn.edu/current-students/

 

Let us know if you have any questions, we are here to support your English language development.

Email contact, ana.s.colon@uconn.edu

 

—

Ana Colón-Wallace, M.A. 

Program Assistant, UCAELI

 

UConn Global Affairs

Center for International Student & Scholars (CISS)

2019 Hillside Road – Unit 1198

Storrs, CT 06269-1198

Phone: 860-486-0307
www.ucaeli.uconn.edu
www.ita.uconn.edu

Important Information for GAs Graduating Spring 2024

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This information was originally sent to all GAs on an F-1 or J-1 visa on February 21, 2024 and will be sent out again before the end of the spring 2024 term. If you are not graduating this spring, this information will not apply to you, but is still important to understand for the future.

Dear International Huskies,

Federal government regulations allow graduate students on F-1 and J-1 visas to hold on-campus employment while they are pursuing their degree. If you complete your degree requirements during Spring 2024 and if your degree is conferred in May, you will no longer be pursuing your degree after May 5, 2024.

If you hold an Academic Year 2023/2024 or Spring 2024 appointment at Storrs or a regional campus (excepting UConn Health), the final date of your appointment is May 21, 2024. If your degree is conferred in May and you hold an F-1 or J-1 visa and your assistantship appointment is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Graduate Employee Union (GEU), the time from May 4, 2024 through May 21, 2024 should be treated as time off. Please work with your supervisor to ensure you finish the duties associated with your assistantship before May 4, 2023. You will still receive your full Spring 2023 GA stipend.

In addition, ISSS will be updating your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date to May 4, 2024 if you are graduating in May and hold a GAship this term. This means your grace period to depart the U.S., or your first eligible date to begin post-completion practical training will begin May 5, 2024. Please plan for this accordingly. ISSS will adjust your I-20 or DS-2019 end date automatically based on notification that you have applied for graduation, or at the time you apply for post-completion OPT (F-1 students) or Academic Training (J-1 students), whichever comes first. ISSS will notify you when your adjusted I-20 or DS-2019 is ready to download from your ISSS portal account later in May.

Please reach out to ISSS at international@uconn.edu if you have any questions about this change as it relates to your visa status, I-20, grace period, or practical training timeline.
Kent Holsinger
Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Biology
Vice Provost for Graduate Education
and Dean of The Graduate School

 

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student and Scholar Services

Tax Filing Options for International Students

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This message was originally sent to the international-l listserv on February 8, 2024.

Dear International Students and Scholars,

The tax filing season has begun and if you earned income in the U.S. in 2023 you are responsible to file a tax return by April 15, 2024.  Pay special attention to the information below.  The VITA program at UConn and Sprintax software are available to students and scholars to help you fill out required tax forms.  If you did not earn any income, but were present in the U.S. skip down to the bottom for instructions on submitting the 8843 form.

  • The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is an in-person tax preparation clinic run by trained UConn student volunteers and they will help you fill out your tax return documents. Register with the VITA program at the link below.  The VITA program will begin scheduling appointments in mid-February.  Please register with the UConn VITA website if you wish to be notified when the appointment calendar is open.  https://accounting.business.uconn.edu/vita-program/
  • Sprintax is a software that specializes in nonresident alien tax returns.  UConn can provide you with a code to use to file your federal tax return for free but there is an additional fee to file your CT state return. To learn more visit: https://international.global.uconn.edu/taxes/ email international@uconn.edu with your name and student ID number.
  • UConn Income Statements (W-2 form) will be available online at https://ess.uconn.edu/ navigate to Payroll > View W-2/W-C Information
  • If you had on campus employment and claimed the benefits of a tax treaty you will receive a 1042-S from the State of Connecticut in CORE CT by late February 2024.  If you are no longer employed at UConn and cannot log in to https://ess.uconn.edu/ please visit the Payroll Help Desk and explain your problem https://payroll.uconn.edu/payroll-help-desk/. The 1042-S will be mailed to the home address listed in Core-CT.  You will need to wait to file your income taxes until after you receive this form. If you do not receive this form by February 29, 2024 visit the Payroll Help Desk and explain your problem https://payroll.uconn.edu/payroll-help-desk/. 
  • If you will be receiving a 2023 Form 1042-S for a scholarship or fellowship, UConn’s Tax & Compliance Office notified you by email on Thursday, January 25, 2024.  Check your email! Your Form 1042-S for a scholarship or fellowship will be mailed to the mailing address that is listed in Student Admin.  If that is not the correct address, please contact taxcompliance@uconn.edu  as soon as possible with your correct mailing address.

If you did not earn income in the U.S., but are a nonresident for tax purposes there is still one tax form you must file, the form 8843 – see below for information on how you can learn to file the form 8843.  https://accounting.business.uconn.edu/undergraduate/vita-program/form-8843-filing-instructions/

Watch a video with instructions on how to submit the form 8843: https://international.global.uconn.edu/taxes/

Best regards,

___________

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

 

CISS Hours and Activities During Winter Break

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Dear Students and Scholars,

The Center for International Student & Scholars in Storrs will be open and staff will be working during winter break with the following exceptions:

  • CISS will be closed on 12/19/2023 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • CISS will be closed  from 12/25/23-01/01/24.  Be sure to submit any urgent requests by Wednesday, 12/20/23, otherwise requests will be processed upon our return on Tuesday, 1/2/24.

Regional Campus Students
The ISSS Hartford and ISSS Stamford offices are closed from 12/13/23 – 1/02/24.  Students from any regional campus can reach out to the CISS in Storrs for assistance by calling 860-486-3855 or emailing international@uconn.edu with any questions or concerns.

Storrs Campus Students
Will you be on-campus during winter break?  Two things: 1) Don’t forget to sign up for winter break housing with ResLife. 2) If you will be on-campus, let us know.  CISS is planning the following activities to keep you busy and connected with other students.

  • December 20: 3:00 PM CISS Ana & Hazuki – Snacks, games, Gingerbread style house construction contest
  • December 21: Learn to Knit w/ Arthur 4:00-6:00 PM
  • December 22: Lights in Motion with Ana 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM, van
  • December 29: Lights in Motion with Ana 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM (If more interest)
  • January 3, 2023: TBD
  • First Thursday: January 4th: Paint with Afra
  • January 5: Spare Time (Vernon) with Ana, 3:00 PM, van
  • January 8: Post-Completion OPT Workshop (Virtual) with Arthur @ 4:30 pm
  • January 11: Learn to Knit w/ Arthur 4:00-6:00 PM

There are lots of community events happening all over Connecticut during winter break.  Check out these events:
Hartford area- https://ctvisit.com/events?field_date_value2%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=&field_date_value%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=&keys=hartford&selected_region=global

Stamford area – https://ctvisit.com/events?field_date_value2%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=&field_date_value%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=&keys=stamford&selected_region=global

Storrs area – https://www.mansfieldct.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=31

Reminders:
Report any international travel using the Travel Information Record.
Don’t forget to be back on campus for the start of spring term.  Classes begin on January 16, 2024. 

Have a great break!

___________

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

 

UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Student & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Rd., U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855  |  FAX: 860.486.5800

 

New Location: Center for International Students & Scholars

International Students Selecting Classes for Fall 2023

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Dear Students,

ISSS wants to share some resources and remind you of  the enrollment parameters required for international students for fall 2023 term.   Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Review the minimum full-time enrollment rules for international students and remember which courses count as in-person: In-Person (P), Hybrid (HB), and By Arrangement (AR) are all considered in person.

F-1 Visa Holders (undergraduate students) must be enrolled in at least 12 credits each term.  Only one course (3 credits) can be online.  The other 9 credits must be in-person.

F-1 Visa Holders (graduate students) must be enrolled in at least 9 credits each term (6 credits w/ a GA). Only one course (3 credits) can be online.  The other 6 credits (3 credits w/ a GA) must be in-person.

J-1 Visa Holders (graduate students/graduate exchange students) must be enrolled in at least 9 credits each term (6 credits w/ a GA). Undergraduate exchange students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits each term.  No online courses can count towards the full course of study.  

If fall 2023 will be your last semester and you only need to enroll in one course, it must be an in-person course and must be offered at UConn. If you have any questions about this information please reach out to your ISSS Advisor.

I wish everyone a strong finish to the semester and a happy summer break!

Best regards,

___________

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

Important Information for Students Graduating in Spring 23

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This announcement was originally sent out on April 19. 

Dear Students,
Greetings from ISSS! This message is going out to all students, but only applies to those students graduating in Spring 23.

Congratulations!  If you are graduating in Spring 23, ISSS will need to shorten your I-20 or DS-2019 end date to the end of the semester.  Your new end date will be 05/06/2023. PLEASE NOTE: your last day of on-campus work permission will be 05/06/2023.  You must stop working on-campus after this date.  Your grace period begins the day after on 05/07/2023.  If your most recent form I-20/DS-2019 has a future program end date, it will no longer be valid. If there is any chance that you will not finish by 05/06/2023 you must contact your ISSS advisor before this date.

F-1 Students:

Be advised that you have a 60-day grace period to remain in the United States before your F-1 status ends.  Your 60-day grace period starts from the date you completed your program as indicated above.

J-1 Students:
Be advised that you have a 30-day grace period to remain in the United States before your J-1 status ends.  Your 30-day grace period starts from the date you completed your program as indicated above.

Graduate Assistants Completing in Spring 23:

You can read more about the policy for GA’s last day of work here. This was shared with all students at the beginning of the semester.  Please work with your supervisor to ensure

that you finish the duties associated with your assistantship before May 06, 2023. You will still receive your full GA stipend for spring 2023, but the time from May 6 through May 22, 2023 will be treated as time off.

 

To process your F-1 SEVIS record, ISSS needs you to take one of the following actions before the end of your grace period:

  1. Prepare to depart the U.S.- submit Program Update-Compete/Shorten Form
  2. Request another form I-20 or DS-2019 to begin a new degree program at UConn – submit Continuing Student I-20/DS-2019 Request;
  3. Transfer to another school to start a new program-submit SEVIS Transfer Out Request
  4. Report a change in your non-immigrant status from F-1 to another visa status – submit Program Update-Change Visa Status Notification
  5. Apply for work permission to stay in the U.S. and work in your major field.

F-1 Students: Apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work in the U.S. in your major field.  You must apply for OPT before you depart the U.S.

J-1 Students: Apply for Academic Training (AT) to work in the U.S. in your major field.  You must apply for Academic Training before your DS-2019 expires.

Please contact your international advisor if you require further assistance. You can reach us at (860) 486-3855 or by email at international@uconn.edu

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.  We hope that all of our spring graduates found their time at UConn academically satisfying and personally fulfilling. Good luck with your future endeavors!

Best wishes,
___________

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

ISSS has moved – New office location

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ISSS on the Storrs campus has moved to a new building.

Our new home is the Center for International Students and Scholars located at 2019 Hillside Rd. Storrs, CT 06269. Look for the Center for International Students and Scholars at maps.uconn.edu.

The office is open Monday-Friday from 9:00-5:00.  We look forward to seeing you soon.