[Intl-stu] Please read regarding sub-terms this spring

[International Students]

YOUR LEGAL STATUS WILL BE AFFECTED

 

International Students that have degrees with  Sub Term classes (for example…College of Business, Computer Science, College of Education and Human Services, Technology Management) 

 

To maintain your visa status please read over the below information carefully and contact the ISSO with any questions or concerns.  Attached is a Frequently Asked Questions form that will provide more information:

 

1.      Graduate students-If registering for 9 credit hours you MUST register in both sub terms, you cannot register for all 9 hours in one sub term.  For example…you may have 2 face to face classes in one sub term and 1 online course in another.

2.      Undergraduate students- If registering for 12 credit hours you MUST register in both sub terms, you cannot register for all 12 hours in one sub term.  For example…you may have 2 face to face classes in one sub term and 1 online course and 1 face to face class in another.

 

International students MUST enroll in courses for both sub-terms.  Students may not take their required full course of study in one sub-term and not enroll in courses for the other sub-term.  Example…students may not enroll in 9 credit hours (or 12 credit hours) in sub-term one not enroll in any courses in sub-term two.  The only exception would be students in their final semester with less than required hours (3-6 hours graduate, 3-9 hours undergraduate).  

 

Please note that if you are registered for BOTH 16 week classes and 8 week sub term classes, this semester you are in legal status. 

 

Exceptions are as follows:

 

1.      Graduate/PHD students graduating  May 12, 2012-You may register for 3-6 credit hours in one sub term BUT if you ONLY register for your final 3-6 credit hours in Sub Term 1 your program end date for your I-20 will be the last day of Sub-Term 1 (3-12-2012).   Your 60 day grace period will begin from March 16, 2012 and will end on May 11, 2012, the day before Commencement Day, and you must depart the U.S. on that day.

 

2.      Undergraduate students graduating May 12, 2012- You may register for 3-9 credit hours in one sub term BUT if you ONLY register for your final 3-9 credit hours in Sub Term 1 your program end date for your I-20 will be the last day of Sub-Term 1 (3-12-2012).   Your 60 day grace period will begin from March 16, 2012 and will end on May 11, 2012, the day before Commencement Day, and you must depart the U.S. on that day.

 

3.      All graduating students applying for OPT-  USCIS interprets your I-20 program end date as the last day of your last class and NOT the graduation date.   If you are in your final semester and ONLY enrolled in Sub-Term 1 courses then your I-20 end date is March 12, 2012.  Your OPT start date will need to be within 60 days of March 12, 2012 ( no later than May 12, 2012).  This will mean students ONLY enrolled in Sub-Term 1 courses will need to apply for OPT sooner.   The ISSO will begin seeing students (ONLY students in their final semester and enrolled for courses ONLY Sub-Term 1) for appointment on 1-30-2012.

 

4.      Graduate students with graduate assistantships- If you are in your final semester and are ONLY enrolled in courses for Sub-Term 1 then your GA will end in Sub-Term 1 (March 12, 2012).  If you are taking courses for both Sub-Terms then your GA will continue for the semester.  If you are in your final semester and enrolled in courses for Sub-Term 2 ONLY then you will need to refer to the graduate school regarding your GA position.  

 

Please contact the ISSO with any questions or concerns.  

 

John Mark Jones, Director

International Student Services

Texas A&M University-Commerce

PO Box 3011

Commerce TX 75429

(P) 903-886-5097

(F) 903-468-3200

 

	 

	 

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