3. Office of International Affairs
Mission
To develop, facilitate, and oversee high
quality innovative international programs,
initiatives and partnerships by providing
leadership, coordination, and service to
students and faculty both on and off campus.
4. Office of
International
Students and
Scholars
OISS
Jim Vatral
Deborah Pabon
5 student workers
Office of International Affairs
OIA
Dr. Anthony J. DeNapoli, Executive Director
Dr. Alejandra Parra, Associate Director
NSU Schools,
Colleges, and
Centers
Office of Enrollment and Student Services
ESS
Study Abroad
5. NSU Overall Facts and Figures
International Enrollment on campus: over
1,231 students (student visa)
116 countries represented on campus
6. NSU in the world....
Asia
The
Caribbean
Europe
Latin
America
Africa
USA
10. AFTER YOU ARRIVE:
Check-In at the Office of International Students and
Scholars and bring your:
•I-20
•Passport
•Visa
•Local Address
•Local Phone Number
•Nova email address
•Certificate of Virtual Pre-arrival Orientation
11. IT’S EASY TO MAINTAIN
YOUR LEGAL STATUS
What document gives you your legal status as
an F-1 Student?
13. SEVIS I-20 Academic Level
Academic Program
Length of Program
Initial attendance/Continued attendance/Transfer in progress
Your I-20’s program’s end date should not expire prior to completing your
coursework or you will fall out of status. If you will not complete your studies
before this date, please contact our office for instructions on how to extend this
time
16. Information recorded in SEVIS
and reported to USCIS
• Dropping below full course load
• Failure to enroll in classes
• Termination of program (graduation;
withdrawal)
• Change of address for F-1 and F-2’s
•Program start/end dates
•Term start/end dates
•Educational level
•Program or major
•Program extension
•Authorized vacations
•Transfer to/from NSU
•Off-campus employment/employer information
17. Maintaining legal F1 status
• Full Course of Study
Undergraduate: 12 credit hours
(9 credits for Nursing)
Master’s: 6 credit hours
Doctoral: 1 class
• On-line classes – only one per term
towards your program of study
• Local Address – report any address change
to the OISS within 10 days
18. International students need
OISS approval for:
• Employment
• Reduced Course Load
• Dropping/Withdrawing
• Change of Major/Program
• Off-Campus Employment
19. • Not checking in at the OISS
• Registered below a full course load
• Not enrolling
• Withdrawing or dropping classes without
authorization
• Taking only online classes
• When I-20 expires before program
completion
• Working without authorization
• Changing address and not reporting the
changes to the OISS within 10 days
How does a student fall out of status?
20. PAYMENT INFORMATION
Once you register for classes:
• Your student account will be billed for tuition and
student fees.
• You will receive an E-Bill sent to your NSU e-mail
address.
• Pay all required tuition and fees no later than 30
days after the start of the term to avoid a
$100.00 late charge.
• You can pay online or in person at one of our One
Stop Shops.
22. WHAT IF I FALL OUT OF STATUS?
Apply for reinstatement.
Leave and re-enter the
country with a new I-20.
Or, you can…
You can…
23. Travelling
To your home country
• valid I-20
• valid visa (except
Canada or Bermuda)
• passport which is valid 6
months into the future
from the date the
student intends to re-
enter the USA
Other than home country
• valid I-20
• valid visa (except
Canada or Bermuda)
• passport which is valid
6 months into the
future from the date
the student intends to
re-enter the USA
Important: Check with the Embassy
of that country for any additional visa
requirements
24. Can an international student work
while in the USA?
ON CAMPUS
20 hours (part-time)
37.5 hours (full time)
OFF CAMPUS
CPT
Curricular Practical Training
OPT
Optional Practical Training
Economic hardship
25. • Social Security Number
• Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)
And related to that….
26. • Never destroy your “old” immigration
documents.
• Always keep copies of your important
documents.
• Your responsibility to know the regulations.
• ALWAYS check your Nova email account.
• Never act on “information” from friends,
relatives, or the grapevine
• Make sure all your documents are up-to-date and
valid before you travel internationally.
Information to remember….
27. Also remember…
• Do not use a tourist visa for re-entry
• When in doubt, seek advise at the OISS
• In case of emergency contact OISS
• If detained and questioned at the point-of-entry,
only answer their questions.
• Academic performance
– SUSPENDED or DISMISSED I-20 is IMMEDIATELY
terminated and you must leave the country
immediately
28. After Completion
If you complete your program and do
not apply for OPT, you have 60 days
in which to
• Transfer to another university
• Begin a new program at NSU
• Depart the United States
33. Driving in Florida
To apply for a Florida Driver’s License
• Visit the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) Office or check online at
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/
• Make an appointment and bring with you the following documents:
SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019
Valid passport
F-1 or F-2 visa
Social Security Card if issued
Two proofs of address (Official transcripts,
Bank correspondence, Bills e.g. FPL, cable
• Please get CAR INSURANCE (mandatory in the USA)
• Get a PARKING DECAL to park around campus
34. Health Insurance
Please go to the Health Center webpage for information
http://www.nova.edu/smc/health_insurance.html
It is highly recommended that you get
Health Insurance while you are
studying in the USA!!!
36. VERY IMPORTANT!!!
You are responsible for:
• maintaining your PERSONAL INFORMATION
(address, phone number) up-to-date
• Using your NSU E-mail account (official mode
of communication)
• Maintaining a GOOD academic standing….
• Maintaining your I-20 current
