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Who needs an I-20? |
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New students - Any
non-citizen who wishes to obtain an F-1 (international student)
visa or to change an existing immigration status to F-1 must first
obtain an I-20 to verify your admission to a qualified school.
Most I-20s are requested by students who are outside the U.S.
and plan to apply for a student visa. A significant number of
I-20s are also requested by individuals already in the U.S. on
other kinds of temporary visas - exchange participant, diplomat,
employee of an international organization, among others. Generally,
applicants with tourist visa may not chance to student status
while remaining in the U.S. Please see the international Student
Coordinator for further details.
Transfer students - Students who already have F-1 status
with an I-20 from another school must obtain a new I-20 from
Montgomery College. Each I-20 is valid only for the school named
on the form.
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What is an I-94? |
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Your I-94 is a document issued
by the USCIS to indicate the conditions that apply to your stay
in the United States. An I-94 issued at a port of entry is usually
a white card stapled inside your passport. If you change status
within the U.S. your I-94 will be printed on a sheet of paper
mailed to you. In all cases the I-94 will indicate your immigration
status, "F-1" and either show a fixed expiration date for the
status or the letters "D/S." |
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What is "duration of status"
or D/S? |
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A few classes of immigration
status remain in effect as long as the holder complies with specific
conditions. For post-secondary students F-1 status is almost always
granted for duration of status, meaning that the status continues
as long as the holder is a full time student with a valid I-20
and does not violate a condition of the status. At the port of
entry the immigration officer will mark your I-20 and I-94 with
the notation D/S, indication duration of status.
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What is the difference between
a visa and immigration status? |
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A visa is a
document or stamp in your passport issued by a U.S. embassy or
consulate abroad that permits you to arrive at a port of entry
to the U.S.. It is your permission to arrive only. Immigration
status indicates the specific category of regulations
that will apply to you during your stay in the U.S.. Visas
are issued by American embassies and consulates abroad; immigration
status is conferred in the U.S. by the Immigration and
Naturalization Service. |
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What is the meaning of the
term "in-status?" |
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The term simply means
that you are complying with the conditions for maintaining your
F-1 status as stated on your I-20. |
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Is there more than one kind
of I-20 for F-1 status? |
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Yes. I-20s are designated for
specific purposes, including the following:
• Initial attendance: I-20 for students applying
for an F-1 visa for the first time.
• Transfer: I-20 for students transferring with
F-1 status to Montgomery College.
• Change of status: I-20 to request change from
current immigration status to F-1 without leaving the U.S.
• Reinstatement: I-20 to request reinstatement to
F-1 status by USCIS without leaving the U.S.
• Add dependent(s): I20 to request F-1 visa or status
for dependent spouse or minor children.
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What documents should I bring
when I travel outside the U.S.? |
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To re-enter the United States
after a trip abroad, students will need a valid passport with
a valid visa and a valid I-20, endorsed on the back by the International
Student Coordinator. The signature verifies that the student is
in status and is expected to return to the United States to continue
study at the school issuing the I-20. Students who have applied
for Optional Practical Training should reconsider traveling outside
the U.S. while the application is pending. Please see your International
Student Coordinator for further details. |
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What if I want to travel abroad,
but my visa has expired, or I only have a tourist visa because
I changed status in the U.S.? |
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You must apply for a new visa
at a U.S. embassy or consulate, preferably in your home country.
You need to plan in advance. Check the website of the Department
of State, http://www.state.gov, for information. In many countries
you will need an appointment several days, or even weeks, in advance.
Check very carefully before planning to request a visa in a third
country. |
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Can I transfer from another
college or language school to Montgomery College without losing
my F-1 status? |
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Yes. However, you must apply
for a new I-20 issued by Montgomery College. You will need proof
of completion of high school, of English language level, current
financial support, and verification that you maintained F-1 status
at the previous school. Please note that transfer applications
must be completed by the published deadlines (August
1 for fall semester and December 1 for spring semester) in
order to assure students that appropriate courses will be available.
Please see your International Student Coordinator for further
details. |
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Can I transfer from another
college or language school if I am already out of status? |
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No. You will need to apply for reinstatement
to F-1 status at your current school before transfer to Montgomery
College. |
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What happens if my passport
or visa expires while I am in the U.S.? |
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Renew your passport before it
expires. USCIS regulations require that student visa holder maintain
a valid passport at all times.
On the other hand, an expired visa is not a problem as long as
you remain in the U.S.. However, you will need a new visa to return
to the U.S. after a visit to any countries beyond Canada, Mexico,
or the nearby Caribbean Islands. Most students are permitted to
travel to these adjacent countries and return with a valid I-20,
even though the visa has expired visa. See your International
Student Coordinator for further details. |
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What happens if I fall out
of status”? |
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Students who are out of status
forfeit all privileges of the status, such as on-campus work,
practical training, or the right to reenter the U.S. with a signed
I-20 form. To regain your status you will need to obtain a new
I-20 prior to travel abroad or apply to the USCIS for reinstatement.
Application for reinstatement by the USCIS requires that the student
pay a filing fee. If the reinstatement application is denied,
the student will be advised to leave the United States until able
to reenter with an appropriate status. |
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What if I am having difficulty
that may cause me to lose status? |
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See your International Student
Coordinator immediately. In many cases the loss of status can
be avoided by timely action. However, once a student has lost
status it can only be regained through USCIS, either by application
for reinstatement or by reentry to the U.S. with F-1 status. |
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How much will it cost to study
full time at Montgomery College? |
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A. The total cost of tuition,
room, board, transportation, medical insurance and related expenses
is estimated to be approximately $25,200for the academic year
2006-2007. |
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What is the minimum number
of credits to be considered a full-time student? |
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To maintain status you must
complete 12 credits (billing hours) per semester (or 20-24 contact
hours for continuing education ESL program). Students who are
enrolled full time during fall and spring semesters are not required
to take any courses during the summer term.
Note: Montgomery College does not issue new I-20's
for the Summer Session.
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Are there any
exceptions to the full-time requirement? |
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Students who have medical or
academic reasons for registering for less than a full course load
must contact the International Student Coordinator to see whether
the particular circumstances allow an exception. USCIS regulations
permit exceptions only under very limited and specific conditions. |
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Can I enroll as an F-1 student
to study only English as a Second Language? |
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Possibly. The College can issue
a special I-20 for ESL study only. However, opportunities for
full time ESL study at Montgomery College are limited to students
with a specific range of scores on the TOEFL or Academic American
English Placement Test (for Non-Native Speakers of English ).
See the Continuing Education Department at Rockville Campus for
further information about course availability and procedures.
Students who hold I-20s for full time language study must apply
for an academic level I-20 prior to transferring into a degree
program. |
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What if I cannot complete my
program by the expiration date of my I-20? |
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Students who are unable to complete
their program by the date indicated on the I-20 must have a compelling
academic or medical reason to apply for an extension of stay.
A request for an extension must be discussed with the International
Student Coordinator at least 60 days before the expiration date
on the I-20. |
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Can I apply for financial aid?
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Students with F-1 status do not
qualify for federal financial aid, nor for most state programs.
However, some private scholarships are open to all. For further
information see a financial aid counselor. |
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Can I work on campus? |
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Yes. F-1 students are allowed
to work on campus, up to 20 hours/week during the fall and spring
semesters and full-time during vacation periods (summer, winter,
and spring breaks), as long as you intend to enroll full-time
for the following semester. If transferring from Montgomery College
to another school, you may or may not continue to work here during
the break between semesters. Please see your International Student
for further details. |
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Can I work off campus? |
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Off campus employment for F-1
students is restricted to the following categories: hardship,
curricular practical training, and optional practical training.
Each category must comply with a distinct set of regulations.
See your International Student Coordinator for detailed information.
Be extremely careful about working without permission. Some students
have received immediate departure orders from USCIS for unauthorized
work. Furthermore, reinstatement by USCIS is generally impossible
if you have been discovered to be working without authorization.
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If I work on campus or off
campus do I pay taxes? |
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Yes. Your employer will almost
certainly withhold federal and state income taxes. However, if
you work only part- time most of the taxes will be returned to
you when you file an annual tax return. Also, note that F-1 students
generally are not required to pay for Social Security benefits.
All F-1 students with any earned income in the United States are
required to file a federal income tax return each year. |
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How do I obtain a Social Security
Number (SSN)? |
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You are required to have a job
offer on campus to be eligible for a Social Security number. Your
International Student Coordinator will provide you with a letter
to the Social Security Administration verifying your status as
a currently enrolled F-1 student once you have been offered an
on campus position. |
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How do I report a change of
address? |
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• Contact the Office of
Admissions, Records, and Registration to change your computerized
Montgomery College record
• Report the change to your International Student Coordinator
as soon as possible. |
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What is the difference between
an International Counselor and an International Student Coordinator? |
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International counselors will
assist you with academic advising and broader issues affecting
your academic success. Your International Student Coordinator
will issue your I-20 and advise you on immigration matters related
to your enrollment at Montgomery College. |
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Does Montgomery College charge
a fee for processing the I-20? |
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No, however, USCIS charges a
$100 "SEVIS fee" that must be paid prior to requesting a student
visa or prior to arriving at the port of entry if an F-1 visa
is not required. F-1 visa holders who remain outside
the U.S. for five months must also pay the SEVIS fee. Details: http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.fmjfee.com. |
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The announcement about the
SEVIS fee mentions students on F-3 visas, what is an F-3 visa? |
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F-3 is a new category of visa
established for commuter students from Mexico and Canada. It
would not apply to students at Montgomery College. |
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