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March 2024 Newsletter
International Students & Scholar Services
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Ready to Apply for OPT?
If you are completing your degree requirements in Spring 2024, join one of our OPT Workshops!
To participate in our workshops, you must first complete the Online OPT Application Training and submit the Acknowledgement of Training at the end of the module! After you have completed the training and the acknowledgement, our office will contact you with the details of the workshop.
- Wednesday, March 6th - 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 19th - 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 27th - 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
OPT Eligibility Requirements and Timeline
In order to be eligible for OPT, the following must be true:
- I have maintained my F-1 status.
- I have been enrolled full-time for at least two consecutive semesters.
- I am in my final term enrolled in required courses for my degree program.
- I have at least a 3.0 GPA if I am a graduate student or a 2.0 GPA if I am an undergraduate student.
- I have not been approved for OPT in the past at the same degree level or at a higher degree level.
- I have not used 12 months of full-time CPT
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I agree to report to SIUE via the OPT Reporting Form within 10 days of any change in address or employment status regarding your employment.
For more information about applying for OPT, please refer to our OPT website.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum in the student's course of study. CPT work authorization can include internships, cooperative education or any other employment that is related to the student's degree program. CPT for F-1 students is intended to provide work experience in situations where the work serves as an integral part of a student's academic program, prior to completion of that program.
CPT is authorized on a semester basis and is employer specific. Only one employer per student per term will be authorized. If you hope to work for another semester, you need to reapply with all new required documentation. Check the CDC website for deadlines and visit our website to learn more about CPT eligibility and the application process.
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Time to File Taxes - Sprintax Codes Available | |
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Students are legally required to file a tax return if they received US income during 2023. Even if you did not work or receive an income in the US, students are still required to file a Form 8843 with the IRS.
The deadline to file for taxes is Monday, April 15, 2024. However, we encourage you to file your tax before this deadline.
Students can purchase Sprintax codes for $3, plus a processing fee, through MUC Hometown Ticketing. A separate email has been sent to your SIUE email address with more information on using Sprintax and filling your US taxes. You can also find more information, including other Sprintax webinars, on our website.
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Summer and Fall 2024 Registration | |
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Summer and Fall 2024 registration opens on Monday, March 25, 2024. Please check the Registrar's calendar for all registration dates. Students will have access to register via CougarNet after they have met with an academic advisor or GPD and planned their course for the upcoming semester. Students will have an advising hold on their account until they see their advisor. Students may have additional holds on your account, so check and contact the appropriate unit for removal.
For example:
Course Load Requirements
International students (F-1 and J-1 status) must register for a full course load each semester (not including summer). Students who drop below the required course load without approval will have their immigration record terminated. For immigration purposes, full-time enrollment (during fall and spring semester) is defined as:
- Undergraduate students: 12 credit hours (4 courses)3 hybrid/on-campus and 1 online
- Graduate students: 9 credit hours (3 courses) )- 2 hybrid/on-campus and 1 online
- Graduate students with a graduate assistantship: 6 credit hours (2 courses) 1 hybrid/on-campus and 1 online
If summer is your final semester, you must be enrolled in at least one on-campus class. Enrollment in all online courses during the summer are allowed only if you are enrolling in the Fall 2024 semester.
Continuing international students enrolling for the Fall 2024 semester must be enrolled in a full course of study by Friday, August 16, 2024.
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University 500 (UNIV 500)
Graduate international students who are enrolled in their final courses in the spring semester but will not have not completed their exit exam, project or thesis defense by the end of the spring semester (May 4, 2024) are encouraged to enroll in Univ 500 during the summer semester to maintain university resources, such as library, advisement, and SIUE email accounts that are need to complete graduation requirements. Students incur a Health insurance charge, as well as the administrative fee, for each semester they are only enrolled in UNIV 500. UNIV 500 is a zero credit hours course and does not satisfy enrollment requirements for international students.
Students who wish to not enroll in Univ 500, and not be charged the administrative fee and health insurance charges, will need to complete the Graduate Student Request Form to request a waiver for continuous enrollment.
Most students on OPT choose not to enroll in Univ 500 because of the SIUE health insurance charges incurred. While in the U.S. we do recommend students carry medical insurance to help cover the cost of medical bills. Many students on OPT are offered the option of purchasing health insurance coverage through their employer.
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Want to know what events are coming up? Need to find a recording of a past event?
Check out the ISSS Events website to see what events are coming up this semester. You can also find recordings of past events, including the SIUE Sprintax Webinar and the Beyond Graduation presentation by Miha Britt, immigration attorney.
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Planning to participate in the Spring 2024 commencement? Visit the Commencement website to view the events schedule and learn how to participate in the event.
If you have any questions regarding SIUE Commencement, please contact commencement@siue.edu.
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Inviting Family?
Please be advised that a letter of invitation is not required to apply for a nonimmigrant tourist visa per the U.S. Department of State U.S. Consular Affairs if you plan to invite your family to your graduation. Therefore, the Office of International Affairs and the Registrar no longer provide invitation letters for graduating international students. Students can provide a copy of their most recent I-20 or DS-2019 and a copy of their unofficial transcript, which can be obtained from CougarNet in lieu of a letter an invitation letter. Visit our website for more information.
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Intensive English Pathway (IEP) - English Workshops
SIUE's international students are invited to attend English workshops to practice their verbal and written skills. Workshops are held from 2-2:45pm on Tuesday and Wednesday of each week, with the same lesson available to suit different students' schedules. All international students are invited to join any day at no cost and can stop by anytime without registration.
Details can also be found on the IEP website. March workshops include:
- March 12 & 13: Writing - Plagiarism (Part 4) Quotations
- March 19 & 20: Speaking - Specific sounds, V and W
- March 26 & 27: Writing - Plagiarism (Part 5) Summarization
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International Hospitality Program
The International Hospitality Program is happy to assist international students with obtaining household goods and furniture items. To make a request, please fill out THIS FORM. Requesting an item does not guarantee that IHP has it or that you will receive all of the requested items.
You can find out more about the organization on our website.
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Additional Scholarship Opportunities
SIUE offers more than 450 undergraduate and graduate awards provided by generous donors, professional organizations and University partners.
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Mobile Food Bank
The ST. Louis Area Foodbank is hosting a monthly "Food on the Move" food truck in Madison, IL. The dates for each event is listed below, with the next one on March 25.
Students will need to provide their zip code and number of people in their household. Bring your own bags or totes to carry your items.
Location: Madison City Hall (615 Madison Avenue, Madison, IL 62060
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Cougar Cupboard
The Cougar Cupboard is a non-profit food pantry located at SIUE serving students, faculty, and staff members.
Students must register for an individual appointment – EVEN if you see few or no reservations. This ensures staff knows you are coming. Sign-ups are available on the Cougar Cupboard webpage.
Questions? Email the Cougar Cupboard at cougarcupboard@siue.edu. Follow the Cougar Cupboard on Facebook and Instagram for updates!
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Career Development Center
The Career Development Center (CDC) helps students acquire information and skills necessary to transition from university life to the real world of work. Whether you have a clear idea of where your career is headed or no idea whatsoever, the CDC has something to offer you. Feel free to contact their office at (618) 650‑3708 with questions or to schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor.
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