| January 2022 Newsletter |
International Students & Scholars Newsletter

Welcome Message from the Executive Director of the Office of International Affairs

Welcome new international students and welcome back returning students! My name is Mary Weishaar, Executive Director of International Affairs. Around 700 international students are studying at SIUE this semester! Please study hard, ask questions if you are unsure of something, become involved in campus life and make new friends at SIUE! Our International Affairs Team supports your path to success at SIUE. If you have questions or concerns, please contact our office and we will either answer the question or connect you with someone who can assist.
Upcoming Events
Spring 2022 OPT Application Workshop
Do you plan to participate in Optional Practical Traning (OPT) after completing your program? Then join ISSS OPT Application Workshop to learn more about the deadline to apply for OPT, eligibility requirements, cost, USCIS adjudication timeline, etc.
When: Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Time: 12:00-1:00pm
Venue: Virtual (Zoom)
Reminders
As a reminder, you are required to enroll in a full course load to maintain your immigration status. For immigration purposes, full-time enrollment (during fall and spring semesters) is defined as:
  • Undergraduate students: 12 credit hours (4 courses)
  • Graduate students: 9 credit hours (3 courses)
  • Graduate students with a graduate assistantship: 6 credit hours (2 courses)

Summer enrollment is optional unless it is your first or last semester. Full-time summer enrollment is 3 credit hours and it cannot be an online course if it's your first or last semester.

There are limited circumstances in which a reduced course load is okay. Visit Reducing Your Course Load for information. 


Travel Signature Request
International students in F-1 or J-1 status must get a travel signature on their I-20 or DS-2019 if returning to complete their studies after traveling outside the U.S. Signatures are valid for six months. If your signature has expired and you are planning to travel, you must get a new signature. Please see Traveling outside the U.S. If you have been issued a Form I-515A contact your DSO immediately.

Please submit a Travel Signature Request a couple of weeks before you travel.
Register for a Sprintax Webinar!  
Sprintax is offering free webinars for international students starting this month and through April 2022.

2021 Tax Season-Watch for information about Sprintax codes in a separate email
Are you receiving Scam calls and/ or emails about job offers?

  • Forward any suspicious job offer emails to phishing@siue.edu
  • Never share your personal information such as Social Security Number (SSN), address and Date of Birth (DoB) with anyone on the phone or through email.
  • Contact ITS if you believe your personal information has been compromised

Here are some important information on how to avoid scammers

Always remember the U.S. government entities will not call you to ask for any form of payment of any kind

Have you updated your information in CougarNet?
Do not forget to log into CougarNet to update your cell phone number and other personal information. Don’t forget to log into CougarNet to report your cell phone number and any changes to your contact information. Log in here to update your information.
Spring 2022 Graduation Registration Deadline is March 1 
Have you applied for Graduation yet? Students who will be completing their academic program in May 2022 and who are planning to attend Spring 2022 commencement need to submit an application by March 1st, 2022. 

Questions? More details are available at the Office of the Registrar website. You can also call the Graduation staff by phone at 618-650-2263 or 618-650-2282, or by email at graduation@siue.edu.
Get involved!
TANDEM Language Program
Tandem is a language exchange program facilitated by the Foreign Languages Training Center (FLTC) which pairs international students with other SIUE students who are studying a foreign language. The Language Partner Program will begin pairing students in the coming weeks and students can sign up here.

For more information and upcoming events, follow TANDEM on Facebook or email Susan McDonald at sspence@siue.edu
Student FitnessCenter Reservations
Are you interested in playing badminton, ping pong (table tennis), basketball, soccer, running, lifting weights? SIUE Campus Recreational Center has something for every student. Come join other students at the Campus Recreational Center and explore the various recreational sporting activities available at the center. All work and no play...

Office of International Affairs
International Student and Scholar Services
Student Success Center 0300 (lower level)
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1616
(618) 650-3785