International Students Info

International Student Employment Guide

Sample CPT Packet

Sample CPT Letter

Employer Guide for International Students

J-1 Form

Enrollment Policies

Reduced Courseload

International students must meet all of the same requirements as U.S. residents.

They must also meet specified language proficiency levels – first by the College and then by MSU. The following websites provide lots of information about the process for International students: The Graduate School website: https://grad.msu.edu/apply

Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) website: http://oiss.isp.msu.edu/

College of Music applicants must meet all College and MSU language requirements prior to acceptance.

All international applicants and applicants whose first language is not English must be able to be proficient in English as a condition for regular admission to Michigan State University. The College of Music does not allow Provisional Admission.

If they have not met those requirements, students must postpone their application and re-apply to the College of Music and MSU. When they have passing TOEFL scores or after attending and passing testing/classes at the English Language Center on MSU’s campus (http://elc.msu.edu/), they can be accepted to the College of Music and MSU.

103 International Center, oiss@msu.edu fax 517-355-4657, phone 517 353-1720

Website http://oiss.isp.msu.edu/

** The OISS office provides new student orientation and other social/cultural programming throughout the year to assist International Students. On their website you can find information and/or website listings on:

• Getting Started
• Immigration Information
• Traveling to MSU
• Immigration Related Information
• Traveling to the US
• Change of Status
• University Housing
• Maintaining Legal Status
• Living at MSU
• Internationalizing Student Life
• Living in an American Society
• International Student Groups
• Living in the East Lansing/Lansing Community
• Counseling Center
• Health Care Information (Olin Health Center)
• Community Volunteers for Int’l Programs (CVIP)
• Financial Aid Office
• English Language Center
• Grants and Scholarships for International Students
• Volunteer English Tutoring Program (VETP)
• Conversion Tables
• Travel
• American Holidays
• Campus Center
• CATA Bus Information
• Career Services and Placement

Website: Office for International Students and Scholars :: Orientation Overview (msu.edu) 

As indicated on the materials you received from the University Admissions Office, you are required to check-in with the Office of International Students and Scholars [OISS]. If you arrive prior to that date, please go to Room 103 of the Center for International Studies to check-in. You will receive a packet of information and forms that you must complete to begin your career as a student in our university. 

If you have questions about being a new student at MSU, please contact OISS at e-mail oiss@msu.edu fax number 517-355-4657, telephone 517-353-1720 or go to their website http://oiss.isp.msu.edu/. 

SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information center.

http://www.ice.gov/sevis/index.htm

It is an internet based system in which the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) maintains information on nonimmigrant students holding F, M, and J visas. Under SEVIS, MSU is required to provide regular electronic reports to the INS.

OISS is required to report on students within 21 days of the start of a semester, INS is required to audit higher education institutions compliance records every two years. If a school is not complying they face a one-year suspension from admitting international students.

Students may NOT use a P.O. Box or an office address. They must use the address that describes their residence. In addition, students are required to notify the DSO (Designated School Official at OISS) within 10 days of any change in their name or address. The DSO has 21 days to notify the INS.

OISS is required to report the occurrence of any of the following events:

• Any student who has failed to maintain status or complete the program
• A change of the student or dependent’s legal name or U.S. address
• Any student who has graduated early or prior to the program end date listed on the SEVIS I-20 Form
• Any disciplinary action taken by the school against the student as a result of the student being convicted of a crime
• Any other notification request made by SEVIS to the DSO with regard to the current status of the student
• Whether the student has enrolled at the school, dropped below a full course of study without prior authorization by the DSO *, or failed to enroll
• The current address of each enrolled student
• The start date of the student’s next semester

All students who are on F and J visas are required to be enrolled full time by the close of open enrollment of each semester. Full time at MSU is: (cr = credits).

• Masters w/o assistantship: 9cr
• Doctoral w/o assistantship: 6cr
• Master’s w/ assistantship: 6cr
• Doctoral w/ assistantship: 3cr

PLEASE VISIT YOUR ‘MyOISS’ PAGE TO COMPLETE THIS FORM.

PLEASE NOTE: Federal regulations severely limit students’ ability to be under enrolled. If they drop below full- time enrollment without authorization, OISS is required to report this, and they will be considered out of status.

Effective Fall 2019, students can only use the RCL form 2 times during their studies – their FIRST and LAST semesters only.

If students will not meet the enrollment requirement, they must complete this form. One section is completed by the student and one section is completed by the College of Music Graduate Advisor.

The student is responsible for submitting the form to OISS.

First semester: Reasons 1 through 4 are valid uses. Students need to carry at least half of the required credits to use the reasons below (5 credits for master’s students; 3 credits for doctoral students).

• Initial difficulty with reading requirements (used in first year of study only)
• Initial difficulty with English language (used in first year of study only)
• Unfamiliar with American teaching methods (used in first year of study only)
• Improper course placement (appropriate any time during course of study only)

** The students are responsible for their course placement and for making progress toward the degree.

Last semester: During their last semester, the ‘Last Semester’ exemption may be used. The student must graduate this semester. Students must be enrolled, but cannot be enrolled in on-line coursework.

** Medical conditions that prevent full time study may be used with the advisor’s signature and a note from a medical doctor or a board certified psychologist. This reason has a 2-semester limit and is determined on a case- by-case situation.

https://oiss.isp.msu.edu/forms/

OISS is required to report this by law, to report F-1 or J-1 students planning to take a semester off, excluding summer semester. Students must submit this form to OISS PRIOR to taking fall or spring off.

** Students must fill out the form completely and thoroughly

** OISS will not authorize it if they are not complete

** The student is responsible for dropping any/all enrollments prior to leaving MSU.

** The student is responsible for continuing to check the MSU e-mail while they are away.

Options:

I am taking a SEMESTER OFF and REMAINING IN THE UNITED STATES

Students must have been full time in the previous summer semester. Full time campus employment and housing may not be available to you. That is up to University Housing.

or

I am taking a SEMESTER OFF and LEAVING THE UNITED STATES

Students need to read the options carefully and mark which is most appropriate.

If you are absent for more than 5 months, contact OISS 2 months before you return to confirm that your I-20/DS-2019 is valid for reentry or to obtain a new I-20/DS-2019.

If an international student violated their legal immigration status, they may apply to the INS for a reinstatement if the “violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond the student’s control” such as an illness, injury or natural disaster. If the institution was in error in reporting the student as out of status, this would be considered out of the student’s control and they would be eligible to apply to the INS for reinstatement.

The student may not apply for reinstatement under any circumstances if he/she has been out of status for more than 5 months. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

If you have been offered a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, you are required to attend a university-wide orientation program. You will be notified by the department as to the procedure for signing up, if you are required to do so. 

Because International Graduate Assistants are required to arrive on campus early, the university will provide lodging and meals for them during the International TA Orientation. Those attending the orientation will receive additional information in the mail from the University’s ITA program. If you have questions, you may ask them by e-mail.

Please check out their website: https://grad.msu.edu/tap

International students who are Graduate Teaching Assistants are generally required to take the SPEAK test to demonstrate their knowledge of the English language, their ability to understand spoken English and to speak in English. 

• Teaching Assistants in Musicology and Music Theory are required to take this exam. 

• Teaching Assistants in Performance, Composition, Conducting and Jazz Studies do not have to take it. 

** NOTE: International students may NOT be paid in any manner (paycheck, cash, food, housing, etc.) for employment or volunteering (including internships) – without first determining if they are eligible for CPT and completing the appropriate paperwork. Failure to do this correctly could adversely affect VISA status. This could result in being turned away at entry to the US or in being deported. **

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment authorization directly related to an F-1 student’s academic program. CPT is typically done on a part-time basis (up to 20 hours a week) during the school year and on a full-time basis (over 20 hours a week) during vacation periods. The work must be related to field of study. (For musicians, this would be performing, teaching, and/or administrative work or internships.)

Who is Eligible for CPT?

The F-1 student who has been in full-time student status for 9 months preceding the CPT application is eligible. Typically, this means international students in the second year of their degree program or international students who have just completed a degree at an American university. F-1 students on full or part time CPT during the school year must be registered full time. Students may not take a reduced course load and then apply for CPT.

Students who are finished with program requirements and who are merely delaying graduation to make use of CPT will not be granted CPT.

How to apply for CPT:

• Obtain an official offer of employment from the employer. This is a letter from the employer that outlines the nature of the employment, duties, time frame and pay.
• Fill out the appropriate CPT form from the College of Music website link. Submit it to the College of Music Graduate Advisor (110 MB) with the offer of employment letter for approval.
• Take the signed CPT form and employment letter to OISS. The student is responsible for submitting the form to OISS.
• Signed form and employment letter MUST be submitted BEFORE employment begins.

CPT forms need to be completed for each semester and break even if the offer of employment is for the entire year.

More Information about CPT:

You must have an offer of employment to apply for CPT.

Even off campus non-paid internships may require authorization by OISS. The Graduate Advisor first recommends the CPT. It is then authorized by the “Designated School Official” (International Student Advisor) in OISS. Students who have completed their applications and have all materials ready should make an appointment with OISS to have the CPT processed.

If you change employers while on CPT, you need to file a new CPT application.

You are authorized for specific dates of employment on your I-20. You may not begin before the start date or continue working after the end date. If you expect that you will need to work past your end date, you must reapply for CPT and be approved by OISS. OISS will only authorize CPT for a semester at a time unless you are in a required internship program that extends beyond the semester.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is practical work experience in your field of study. OPT employment authorization is granted for 12 months typically after completion of a degree. There are no OPT extensions beyond 12 months.

Students are eligible if they are in F-1 status and have been enrolled on a full-time basis for at least nine months; and who will be completing a course of study this semester or in the near future; and whose proposed OPT employment will be directly related to their course of study.

A student can apply for an OPT up to 90 days prior to the end of their program end date and up to 60 days after program end date. Though it is possible to file the I-765 (OPT) after graduation, we do not recommend doing so as the USCIS processing times vary and you may lose some of your 12-month employment authorization.

** If you plan to spend your last semester outside of the US, you might not be eligible for OPT. Please consult with an OISS advisor. **

All students on OPT are required to report any change of name or address, or any interruption of employment to the OISS at Michigan State University.

More Information about OPT:

During post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment.

The employment does NOT have to be paid employment. Therefore, a student who is engaged in “free- lance” employment (including performance majors with regular “gigs”), interning, or volunteering in a position directly related to the academic field would be considered “employed” for the purposes of OPT employment.

Students may not accrue an more than 90 days of unemployment during any post-completion OPT.

Employment authorization will begin on the date requested or the date the employment authorization is adjudicated (approved), whichever is later.

Students must comply with the employment reporting requirements.