Aug 29, 2023

ISSS Announcements

Welcome!



ISSSNews is a weekly e-newsletter sponsored by International Student & Scholar Services with the purpose of communicating news and updates on immigration regulations, opportunities and events of interests to the international UMD community. Make sure to check out ISSSNews for the latest information.

ISSS Will Be Closed On Sept. 4 in Observance of Labor Day

The Labor Day holiday will be Monday, Sept. 4th. ISSS will not have services such as online chat and appointments, but iTerp is available for electronic requests. We will recommence normal services on Tuesday, Sept. 5th. We hope that everyone has a safe long weekend.

Attention F-1 Students: Full Time Enrollment

All students must enroll in at least 12 credits as an undergraduate and 48 units if you are a graduate student to maintain status.

IMPORTANT: F1/J1 students must enroll in face to face or hybrid delivery. Only one online course can be counted toward full time enrollment. For more information, please review our Maintaining Status information. 

If this is your final semester, and you require less than full-time enrollment to complete your program, you may pursue part-time authorization. This can be completed in iTerp. Note that if you want to pursue CPT and are enrolled less than full time, the part-time authorization request in iTerp must be completed by you and your advisor before we can authorize. Please complete your request as soon as possible. You should be enrolled full-time or request part-time enrollment authorization by September 7th. This allows time for ISSS to review requests and enrollment prior to the end of schedule adjustment.

Are You A New Student?

If you are newly arrived to UMD, please ensure that you:

1. Register for your classes  
2. Complete Immigration Videos & Documents Check in iTerp. Please ensure you complete Documents Check! This is required to activate your SEVIS Record. This must be completed so that we can activate your SEVIS record, so don't delay!

Who Can Apply For A Social Security Number (SSN)?

Social Security numbers are issued for tax purposes only. They are used to identify you within the government’s tax and pension system. Only those with authorized employment are eligible for Social Security numbers.

Visit our ISSS website for detailed information on how to get a Social Security number.

Use the Social Security Office Locator to locate offices in your area to see what offices may have available appointments or walk-ins.

Applying for Social Security requires a government agency to verify your arrival in the U.S. and your immigration status-- you must wait at least 14 days after entering the U.S. to apply for a SSN. In addition, you must wait 3 business days after you receive confirmation that your SEVIS record has been activated. Part of the SEVIS activation process includes completing the mandatory online immigration videos and documents check. Do not apply too early or it will require secondary verification, resulting in longer delays.

You must apply for the SSN in any of these cases:

1. You have an offer to be a Graduate Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant
2. You get an on-campus job or off-campus paid internship in the future (once you have the offer)
3. If you will apply for a Maryland Driver's license and do not have a job, you are required to obtain a letter of ineligibility from the Social Security office

International Student Career Series

The international student career series is a group of workshops/programs facilitated and curated by professional staff that focus on specific career needs of international students. Learn more and register for events and workshops here. 

THANK YOU

Thank you International Orientation Leaders (IOLs) for volunteering your time with ISSS to welcome our new international Terps. Your dedicated efforts are greatly appreciated.

If you didn't get a chance to meet our IOLS, learn more about them here and consider volunteering next semester!

Fall 2023 Gradulting Workshop Series

Searching For Arabic Language Partners

The Arabic Flagship Program at the University of Maryland is seeking to hire Arabic Language Partners (from Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, or Syria) with formal education in Arabic to assist with tutoring students of Arabic as a second language with their speaking skills in Arabic. 

To apply to be an hourly-paid language partner, please send your resume to: arabic@umd.edu

Summer Green Line Construction



Service on the Metro’s Green Line from the College Park Metro Station will shut down July 22 to September 4 as part of a large summer maintenance plan. This will affect stations Fort Totten, West Hyattsville, Hyattsville Crossing Metro Station, College Park - U of MD, and Greenbelt. During this time, buses will replace trains. Please check https://www.wmata.com for all updates regarding this change. Keep these closures in mind as you make your Summer & Fall commute plans!