Trevor Brown
Last Names: A-L & T-Z
tbbrown@jsu.edu
International House & Programs is closely monitoring immigration updates, and we have collected critical immigration updates in one place. It is very important that you independently stay aware of official updates from the Federal government. In addition, this is not a substitute for qualified legal counsel. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns at igalinat@jsu.edu
The situation in the US is fluid and changes daily. As of April 14, there have been almost 1,300 reports of international students and scholars either having their visa revoked and/or their record in SEVIS terminated, thereby jeopardizing their legal status in the United States. Most of the termination reasons are “Other” with little explanation other than that the student appears to have been identified in a criminal record. Source: https://www.nafsa.org/ie-magazine/students-at-risk
Note, International House and Programs is actively watching records to determine if any persons are impacted at Jacksonville State University .
Travel Signatures on your I-20
Make sure your I-20 has not expired. Signatures on your 1-20 are valid for one year.
If you would like an updated signature on your I-20, please drop off your I-20 at our office Monday- Friday 8:30-4:30 PM. One of the International Programs team members will email you when your I-20 is ready to be picked.
While in the United States:
We do advise you to have your I-20 and a copy of your passport with you at all times. We also advise you to please be vigilant about what you post on social media and other places since we have heard of reports of students’ phones and social media being searched by ICE.
Travelling in the United States
If you have an American Drivers license that has not expired, we recommend you only show that as
your proof of identity. The reason is to not show unwanted attention to yourself, of course if they ask for you for more identity that is when you would show your passport and I-20.
We advise to have your I-20 and passport with you at all times. We also advise you to please be vigilant about what you post on social media and other places since we have heard of reports of students’ phones and social media being searched by ICE.
Travelling Abroad:
At this time, we advise you to be cautious when traveling abroad. Please make sure your I-20 is properly signed and that the travel signature has not expired. Please make sure, before returning to the United States, that your student visa and passport have not expired. Make sure you know what you have posted and saved on your telephone and social media because it is becoming more common for border agents to check your phone.
ICE Encounter:
If you or another JSU student encounter an emergency through ICE, please contact International Programs, Jacksonville State University Police, and Legal University Counsel immediately.
Our contacts are listed below:
International Programs: igalinat@jsu.edu
Jacksonville State University Police: msbarton@jsu.edu
Jacksonville State University Counsel : legal@jsu.edu
Resources for latest news on F-1 student terminations please see these links:
NAFSA Page on Executive and Regulatory Actions Under the Second Trump Administration
Drop-In Advising Hours (5-10 minute inquiries for advisement only - no processing)cfconnell@jsu.edu. Please be sure to provide your full name and JSU ID with your inquiry.
Tuesday & Wednesday, 9 to 11 AM & 1 to 3 PM. NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED. NOTE: No Drop-in Advising on Fridays. Appointment Hours ( Inquiries longer than 10 minutes) Monday & Thursday 10 AM to 12 PM & 2 to 3 PM. NOTE: No Advising appointments on Fridays. Book an appointment with International Programs by emailingInternational students are required to always maintain their legal status. In order to maintain your status, you must
Full Time Enrollment Regulations:
International students must be registered full-time throughout the entire semester. You may not drop below the full-time hours' requirement. Below you will find the academic credit hours that you need to be considered registered full-time as an international student under F1 and J1 visas:
Undergraduate
Graduate-Masters
Exceptions to Full-Time Rules
Initial Reporting to Campus
International students must report to the International House and Programs Office with their travel documents such as passport, visa page, I-20, copy of I-94 and their admission letter by the program start date on I-20.
You can report online using your International Student Portal after your arrival in the U.S.
Reporting Address in U.S.
International students must update their residential and mailing address in their MyJaxState account and their international student portal and make sure to report any changes within 10 days of the change. If you live on campus, make sure to list the building name and room number in addition to the street address.
Insurance Enrollment
ALL International Students are required to enroll in health insurance coverage as approved by JSU. The cost of the insurance must be paid prior to class registration. Insurance coverage must be from January 01- August 01 and August 01 to January 01. For coverage and detailed information regarding the acceptable insurance coverage, please visit:
https://www.isoa.org/Jacksonville_State_University
OPT Reporting
F-1 students are required to report employer information in a timely manner. Any changes in employer information should also be reported immediately.
Regular OPT Reporting. Use your International Student Portal to report your OPT. F-1 students will be issued another I-20 once their employment information is received. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they get the updated I-20.
STEM OPT Reporting. Use your International Student Portal to report your OPT. F-1 students will be issued another I-20 once their employment information is received. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they get the updated I-20.
Major or Degree Changes
Any changes in a student's program of study or degree must be reported so that an update on your I-20/DS-2019 can be made. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that their I-20/DS-2019 reflects the correct major and degree that they are pursuing at JSU.
If you are planning to transfer out to another institution in the United States, you must make sure to request that your SEVIS ID number be released to that institution. It is important that you maintain the same SEVIS ID number while you are pursuing your degree in the United States.
If you are currently registered and attending classes at JSU:
You must be registered for the full course of study as required by your program and be maintaining proper status as required by Homeland Security regulations.
Students transferring in the middle of the semester or after registering for classes must complete the university withdrawal process.
If you are transferring in “initial” status and have not enrolled in classes at JSU:
You must report to JSU in person or by phone, fax or email, or online.
The transfer-in form must be turned in before the start date listed on JSU’s I-20.
The start date of the new university/college cannot be more than 30 days from the date of the student’s arrival in the US. The acceptance letter must indicate the start date.
Steps to transfer-out
I. Collect the documents listed below:
II. Log into your international student portal- (use your MyJaxState credentials to login)
III. Follow the instructions in your portal, complete the request and submit your request.
If the university/college you are intending to transfer to requires you to complete your transfer-in form before the issuance of the acceptance letter, complete your transfer-out request in your portal without the acceptance letter and email us at intlprog@jsu.edu. Once you receive the acceptance letter, log back into your portal, upload your letter and submit your transfer form.
Any international student who needs to leave the US to return home for any reason, but cannot enroll in the next semester or finish the current semester will need to have their SEVIS I-20/DS-2019 record terminated for Authorized Early Withdrawal. This termination is not because of a violation, it is to notify the US government the student has permission to leave the US early to return home. Until the termination is authorized in the government database by an international advisor in the International House & Programs Office, the student must maintain proper F-1/J-1 status (attending class, staying registered, etc…) Once the international advisor approves the termination, the student must leave the US within 15 days from the date of termination.
If a student wants to return home in the summer, the student does not need to be terminated for Authorized Early Withdrawal as long as they have been in their current F-1/J-1 status for one academic year before the summer term.
Failure to follow the above rules will result in the student being terminated for a violation of status which can affect their ability to return to the US.
Procedures
It is recommended the student complete all the steps below on the same day to avoid any complications.
Students: F-1 students are required to be familiar with the information on their I-20 and make sure that the I-20 is valid for the duration of your program. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires that you finish your program of study by the end date on your I-20. The end date on the I-20 is established by the office of the international house and programs to reflect the average length of time it should take a student to complete the degree requirements. If during your studies it becomes necessary to extend your I-20, you must request an I-20 extension before the end date on your I-20.
Eligibility Requirement:
Delays in program completion caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extension. Failure to follow the degree plan is not an acceptable reason for program extension.
Steps
I. Collect the documents listed below:
1. A copy of a recent financial document showing the required balance to complete your studies.
2. A copy of a doctor's note: If you are requesting an I-20 Extension due to a medical condition/illness.
II. Log into your international student portal (use your MyJaxState credentials to login)
III. Follow the instructions in your portal, complete the form, upload required documents, and submit your request.
Once the student form is completed, an automated email with the link will be sent to the academic advisor to complete the Recommendation Form.
International Students will have a Spring and Fall semester insurance hold that will need to be cleared by the International House & Programs office.
Please go to MyJaxState, within the Student section, click on the International student portal, request an Insurance hold removal. ( Follow Instructions)
You must provide your insurance confirmation LETTER (not the receipt or card)
Pay the international insurance by visiting: https://www.isoa.org/jacksonville_state_university
Registration holds do not prevent students from accessing their transcripts.
Questions? Please email intlprograms@jsu.edu with your name and student id number.
In order to get or renew an Alabama driver’s license, you will need to complete the following steps:
Steps
I. Collect the documents listed below:
II. Log into your international student portal (use your MyJaxState credentials to login)
III. Follow the instructions in your portal, complete the form and submit your request.
*Enrollment verification letter for Driver's License purposes can be issued if you are enrolled in the proper number of hours for a given term as required by U.S immigration regulations.
Students can only request a drivers license letter one time every 90 days. We recommend students go to the DMV to get their drivers license as soon as they get the Drivers License Letter.
International House and Programs in partnership with different departments on campus seek to provide a platform for international students to get involved on campus and in the community. Some of the Activities International Students are involved in are:
Welcome Party - New International Students are welcomed with fun activities, music, and food.
Coffee Hour - Hosted by International House & Programs, invites the campus community to the International house to have coffee and conversation with international students.
International Education Week - A cultural awareness week hosted by the International House & Programs. There are many fun educational activities, such as study abroad sessions, cultural workshops, international music social, and more.
Taster's Fair - A cultural food festival where international students cook and serve traditional food from their country. A talent show is organized as part of the event.
Pumpkin Carving - Students are invited to participate in a pumpkin carving activity to experience American culture.
Thanksgiving Dinner - Students are invited to Thanksgiving dinner to experience American culture.You will need to seek assistance from a tax preparer. this is for information purposes only.
Please note that the Office of International House & Programs nor the Office of the Controller are NOT trained to provide tax advice.
All international students and scholars (and associated dependents where applicable) must file the appropriate Federal and Alabama State income tax forms each year in compliance with Federal and State Income tax laws.
Before reading any further, please visit the following link to learn more about Federal and Alabama State income tax: https://www.jsu.edu/controller/international.html
Please note that the Office of International House & Programs nor the Office of the Controller are trained to provide tax advice. You will need to seek assistance from a tax preparer.
International House and Programs nor the Controller’s Office are qualified to advise on the process of filing taxes.
Who Needs to Apply for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
DO NOT apply for an ITIN if you have a Social Security Number
The address is
ITIN Operation
P.O. Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342
When to Apply for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
For more help, please visit these websites:
International House and Programs nor the Controller’s Office are qualified to advise on the process of filing taxes.
How to submit the Form 8843
For more help, please visit these websites:
International House and Programs nor the Controller’s Office are qualified to advise on the process of filing taxes.
Who Needs to File Tax Form 1040-NR
*You can submit the 8843 at the same time you file the 1040-NR*
For more help, please visit these websites:
International House and Programs nor the Controller’s Office are qualified to advise on the process of filing taxes.
Who Needs to File Tax Form 1040-NR
If you do not have a Social Security Number
If you have a Social Security Number
We recommend using one of the online software programs listed below.
For more help, please visit these websites: