Terminology for International Students
- Who is considered an international student?
Any student who needs a Visa to attend school is considered an International student.- If I hold a Green Card, should I apply as an international student?
No, you are considered a permanent resident and should not apply as an International student.- How do I know if I am an undergraduate or graduate student?
If you are a student who hasn’t yet earned a bachelor’s degree, then you are considered an undergraduate student. If you have earned your Bachelor’s degree then you are a graduate student.- What is an F-1 student visa?
According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website the F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program. You must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate and your school must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept international students, see the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website.- What is an I-20 form?
According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website foreign exchange students will receive a Form I-20 from the DSO of the educational institution that accepted the student to study in the United States. That student must have a Form I-20 to apply for a visa, to enter the United States and to apply for benefits (http://www.uscis.gov).- What is SEVIS?
According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is used to track and monitor schools; exchange visitor programs; and F, M and J non-immigrants while they visit the United States and participate in the U.S. education system. See the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.- Who is DSO?
DSO stands for Designated School Official. The campus DSO works with the Admissions Office to issue your I-20 form and create input your information into SEVIS. The DSO must be able to verify that your SEVIS record is accurate and up-to-date during your entire stay in the United States.