7 International Student and Scholar Services

7.1 Directory

International Student and Scholar Services 
(979) 845-1824
Pavilion Room 110
1226 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1226
Fax: (979) 862-4633

http://iss.tamu.edu
Bill Taylor – Director

7.2 Overview of International Student and Scholar Services

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) advises over 6,000 international students from 120 countries. ISSS works with international students at the College Station campus, Galveston, Health Science Center locations, McAllen Higher Education Center, Bush School D.C. Teaching Site, and the School of Law. An international student is defined as a student who is not a United States citizen or permanent resident. ISSS assists students in complying with the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security regulations and updates the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

While the majority of international students come on F-1 or J-1 visas, some will have other visa types. The information provided is geared for advising students with F-1 or J-1 status.
ISSS also provides resources to students on adjusting to the United States and the local community, workshops (on-line and in-person) on various subjects such as work authorization and taxes and adds/removes the mandatory health insurance charges.

7.3    Information about F-1 and J-1 Status

Steps after Admission to the University

When international students are admitted to the University, they will need to follow the instructions on our website at https://iss.tamu.edu/Prospective-Students. If the student will need a U.S. F-1 or J-1 visa to enter the United States, the student then applies for the I-20 (F-1 status) or the DS-2019 (J-1 status).  The student then sets an appointment with the U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for the visa.  New incoming students may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days from the start date on the I-20 or DS-2019.

ISSS offers an on-line orientation to students to learn about what to do at the port-of-entry, arriving to the local community and other subjects. https://iss.tamu.edu/New-International-Student-Orientation. 

After arriving in the United States, all international students must complete their check in process in Terra Dotta.

Maintaining F-1 or J-1 status

It is important for F-1 and J-1 students to maintain their immigration status while pursuing their academic program.  Here are the main ways an F-1 or J-1 student can maintain status:

1. Keep their documents up to date.  Do not let the I-20 or DS-2019 expire prior to graduation.  Do not let the passport expire.  Please note that in most cases, the visa stamp can expire while the student is in the United States without effecting their status.  
2. Maintain full-time enrollment.  If a student needs to drop below full-time enrollment, then the student must receive an approved Reduce Course Load request from ISSS first.  If a student drops below full-time enrollment without ISSS permission, then the student may fall out of legal status.  Only 3 hours of distance learning courses may count toward the full-time enrollment for F-1 students. No distance learning courses may count towards full time enrollment for immigration purposes for J-1 students.
3. Obtain work authorization.  
   1. On-Campus Work: J-1 students need to apply for ISSS permission before working on campus and must receive annual renewal of the work authorization.  F-1 students are automatically eligible to work on campus while they are in legal status.
   2. Off-Campus Work: Both F-1 and J-1 students need ISSS permission and possibly federal government permission to work off-campus.  It can take months for the student to receive the appropriate work authorization.  

Mandatory Health Insurance

Texas A&M University System rules require students with F-1 or J-1 status to purchase the System Student Health Insurance Plan.  The Department of State requires all exchange visitors (J-1 status) to maintain health insurance at all times. Please visit the ISSS web page for more information: https://iss.tamu.edu/Health-Insurance. 

Travelling Inside and Outside the United States

International students should carry their passports, I-20 or DS-2019s and a copy of their I-94 while travelling inside the United States. They will need a travel signature from ISSS on their I-20 or DS-2019 before leaving the United States. A travel signature is valid for one (1) year, or the I-20/DS-2019 program end date, or the student’s graduation date, whichever comes first. Travel signatures for students on F-1 OPT are valid for 6 months. They should check with ISSS to see if travelling outside the United States will have any effect on their immigration status.

7.4    Academic Departments and ISSS

ISSS must report international student academic progress to the U.S. Government. Many of the ISSS processes for international students involve the academic departments. Academic advisors provide ISSS valuable information regarding the students’ academic status.  

Common ISSS Processes that involve Academic Departments

• Reduced Course Load Requests – permission to drop below full-time enrollment.
• Extensions – permission to extend the I-20 or DS-2019 expiration date for academic purposes.
• Curricular Practical Training – work authorization for F-1 students based upon an internship being part of the academic program.
• Optional Practical Training – work authorization for F-1 students usually toward the end of or following an academic program.
• Academic Training – off campus work authorization for J-1 students.
• On Campus Employment for J-1 students – on campus work authorization approval for exchange visitors.

International Student On-Campus Employment

Students on F-1 or J-1 status are limited to 20 hours per week of employment in the Fall and Spring semesters. Students may work more than 20 hours per week in the summer or between the semesters per immigration regulations. If a student exceeds 20 hours in the major semesters or works after graduation, they may lose their immigration status.

Graduate Assistantship Letters

The following information about the content of award letters is important, not only when the letters are prepared for newly admitted students, but also whenever federal regulations require registered international students to obtain letters proving current financial support, such as when the students must renew visas or apply to extend their allowed time to complete academic programs.
The financial offer letter must be printed on department letterhead and must include the following:

• The student’s name.
• The date of issuance of the offer letter.
• The contact information for the employing department or office.
• The applicable date(s) or academic term(s) of the offer. ISSS cannot accept financial documentation for past terms as evidence of financial support for current or future terms. In order to calculate the financial benefit of a University funding offer, the offer must apply to current or future dates/terms.
• The specific dollar amount(s) being awarded, including any applicable salary or pay rate.
• The frequency by which the financial support will be distributed (e.g., once, each semester, monthly, bi-weekly).
• The benefits (i.e., insurance), if any, that accompany the financial offer. If the letter does not specify insurance or any other benefit, ISSS cannot assume they are included.
• Any waivers or contributions toward the cost of the student’s tuition and/or fees. It is best to be very specific with wording in the letter. Some examples include:
  • The student is receiving a waiver of the out-of-state tuition only and they can pay tuition at the in-state rate.
  • The student’s tuition is being paid but they are still responsible for fees.
  • All the student’s tuition and fees will be paid.

Students who receive funding assistance from Texas A&M University are urged to work with their departments to better understand their aid package. In some cases, aid packages from departments do not cover all necessary expenses in order for ISSS to issue the Form I-20/DS-2019. If Texas A&M University funding does not fully cover the student’s estimated cost of attendance for at least 1 year, the student will be required to show additional financial resources to make up the difference. This could include personal funding, third-party funding, or sponsored student funding. 

7.5    Financially Sponsored Students

Several international students are financially sponsored by companies or governments. International Student and Scholar Services serves as a liaison among the Office of Admissions, academic departments, sponsors, and students regarding matters related to their immigration status and sponsorship.  If the sponsor is paying the University directly, then Student Business Services (SBS) processes the third-party billing.  All invoices are issued by SBS.  

7.5.1 Identifying a Sponsored International Student

A Texas A&M sponsored student is a student who, in pursuing his or her educational objective in the United States, seeks admission to TAMU under any of the following conditions:

• The student’s educational program is the result of a written agreement between the United States government and a foreign government or a written agreement between an American and foreign educational institution, or
• The student receives primary financial support from a source other than personal or family funds or a Texas A&M academic department, or
• The student’s educational objective has been agreed to by both prospective student and sponsor and may not be changed without the written approval of the sponsor.

Note: Financial support for a sponsored student may be provided by the United States government, the government of the prospective student’s home country, an international organization, or other private or public entities. Most sponsored students are selected to study in the United States under programs designed to enhance the development of their countries, and are required to return to their home countries following the completion of the academic objectives for which they are selected for study in the United States. As a result, their educational objectives are clearly delineated in agreements (contracts) the students sign prior to receiving funds for academic study. Each sponsor and/or agency representing sponsors who fund students to pursue academic degrees will have a unique set of requirements.

7.5.2    Restrictions

In addition to federal regulations governing all international students, sponsors may impose their own, such as:

• Course Selection and Full Course of Study

Whereas sponsored students must enroll in required University classes as stipulated by Texas A&M regulations and departmental requirements, students who drop courses or elect to enroll in courses not considered required or related to their sponsor’s academic objectives must obtain their sponsor’s permission.

• Employment/Payment of Tuition by the Graduate and Professional School Grant

Advisors should inquire whether or not a student is permitted by a sponsor to seek or accept employment. In some cases, sponsors permit employment without a penalty; in other cases, sponsors may authorize employment but reduce their financial contribution to the student’s program. All questions on such matters should be directed to the student. Furthermore, all sponsored students must comply with federal employment regulations. Departments offering assistantships should bear in mind that many sponsored students receive stipends for living expenses that may be tax free. 

Sponsored students whose sponsors pay tuition and fees may not be eligible for departmental/grant Graduate and Professional School payment of tuition unless there are special circumstances involved. The student should check with their sponsor should there be questions regarding sponsorship conditions related to payment of tuition and fees.

• Additional Degrees and/or Practical/Academic Training

Advisors should not assume a student may remain in the United States and/or is authorized to pursue degrees and/or training beyond that which was funded by a sponsor. Permission from the sponsoring agency should be secured prior to offering assistance to a student for additional degrees and/or the encouragement to obtain practical training authorization.

7.5.3    Sponsor Visits

Sponsors or their representatives may schedule visits to Texas A&M. These visits are coordinated through the International Student and Scholar Services Office.

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