Fulbright Foreign Student Program Pre-academic Programs 2015 Injoong Kim – Pre-academic Programs

Introduction to Fulbright & Pre-Academic Programs Pre-academic Programs as a component of Fulbright – participation and purpose? Partnerships – ECA (Program Sponsor)  IIE  AMIDEAST / LASPAU Short-Term English (STE) vs. Long-Term English (LTE) Intro/Statistics “Pre-Ac” is an integral component of the Foreign Fulbright program. Annually, approximately 20% of FF grantees from all six world regions take part in pre-ac programs – either LTE, STE, or FOS. These programs enable that more diverse candidate pools can be recruited from. In general, pre-academic training is a benefit offered to Foreign Fulbright grantees who need additional language preparation before commencing their academic degree programs. In addition, they have the chance to acclimate to the U.S. higher education environment and interact with Americans in a real context. MANY grantees have reported their feeling that having participated in a pre-academic training program allowed them to assimilate more easily into their new academic environment and find a rhythm more naturally in their new environments. Sister Programs IIE partners with LASPAU – Academic and Professional Programs for the Americas and AMIDEAST on pre-academic programs. LASPAU and AMIDEAST also place grantees from their respective World Region in Masters and/or PhD. programs but rely on IIE to help with those who need pre-ac training. This is why some of the processes related to LASPAU or AMIDEAST students are different than those who are IIE-placed. Difference b/w LTE & STE LTE – longer duration, when students come they do not have an admission, required to test to facilitate admission, field-specific class auditing may be requested on case-by-case basis, longer time in-country to acclimate, can be integrated into regular IEP programming STE – higher proficiency students, all participants have admission, testing not regularly required, some integrated into regular programming, some attend Fulbright-specific programs.  

Fulbright Map

Pre-academic Program Objectives English language refinement Academic skills U.S. Academic culture Period of adjustment to the U.S. Fulbright networking opportunities U.S. regional variety

Arrival Processes Pre-arrival Communication Intensive English Programs (IEPs) are encouraged to communicate with grantees prior to their arrival and provide information on: Specific IEP enrollment/registration processes Housing Airport Transportation

Important Documents (IIE) Fulbright Online: http://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/current_arrival.html Report arrival & submit address to Fulbright Upload arrival documents (DS-2019, I-94, J-1 Visa) Upload proof-of-enrollment letter Upload transcript after term Do not upload Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) documents Other Documents Proof of University health insurance (Africa and South/Central Asia) Print out Accident & Sickness Protection for Exchanges (ASPE) card Apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) The proof-of enrollment letter is something that the IEP should issue for each student individually stating that they are currently enrolled full-time and in good standing in the English Program. The program dates can also be listed in this letter.

Important Documents (LASPAU/AMIDEAST) http://laspau.harvard.edu/eltoarrival Report arrival & address along with arrival documents (DS-2019, I-94, J-1 Visa) Student Report/Proof-of-enrollment letter AMIDEAST Report arrival & address along with arrival documents (DS-2019, I-94, J-1 Visa) by sending email to AMIDEAST Placement Officer

IIE’s Role Supervision (J-1 Visa, Fulbright policy, adjustment) Testing Schedule (if relevant and upon request) TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, etc. Grant management Stipend Post-program allowance Books & supplies allowance Tuition & Fees payment Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) Assistance with U.S. Tax Filing

IEP’s Role Basic academic and cultural advising Help with third-party billing Help with arrival reporting, document uploads Networking (Academic, Social, Fulbright) Waive University health plan (if applicable) Update IIE about overall progress

Pre-Academic Program Policies Academic Expectations: Grantees are required to fully participate in, maintain a full-time status, good standing, and meet the academic requirements of their intensive English program. IIE will monitor progress with the help of IEP Staff. Travel: Domestic travel during short-term English programs is not permitted. International travel is discouraged unless it is an emergency. Dependents: At no time during a grantee’s intensive English program may dependents accompany them. There are no exceptions to this policy. Reimbursements: If relevant, tutors or drivers (to testing sites) may be reimbursed upon IIE’s approval. Grantees should seek approval from Pre-Ac Team prior to arranging either service if they are required to take a test during their short-term pre-ac program. Work: Grantees are not permitted to work (earn outside income) during their pre-academic program.

To Do Academic Site Pre-Academic Site Report your arrival Contact your academic site about housing Academic Site Report to your International Student Office - meet your FSA and pick up your check Meet your AA and go over your Student Report together to choose your classes AND submit your academic registration to IIE Report your new permanent address online Read Fulbright Website and upload required documents Understand U.S. tax responsibilities - apply for an ITIN Review ASPE/Seven Corners Health Benefit Plan AND find a doctor http://usdos.sevencorners.com Go to the Bursars Office (Billing Office) with your TOA to verify 3rd party billing Network -Attend International Student Orientation, ListServ, Enrichment Seminars

Work Authorization As a Fulbrighter, you are expected to be fully engaged in your approved academic and cultural exchange program as outlined in your Fulbright grant documents. You must receive prior authorization from your Fulbright advisor before seeking employment. Working without prior authorization will jeopardize your Fulbright grant. Program Policies & Stipend Reduction: your Fulbright stipend may be reduced by any earned income. policies vary from country to country. If approved, work hours are limited to: 20 hours a week during the academic year. 40 hours a week during official academic breaks. Emphasize: Request authorization before beginning employment. Explain difference between Academic Training (pre and post) as well as on-campus employment. Grantee should refer to Fulbright Terms and Conditions.

212 (e): Two-Year Home Residency Requirement Objective: You are expected to return to your home country to share the skills and knowledge that you acquired in the U.S. Requirement: Consequently, you must be physically present in your home country for a total of two years prior to applying for an immigrant visa. Additional Information: http://j1visa.state.gov/ - Explain “aggregate” of two years – give example of accumulating time in-country - Still eligible to come to the States on a non-immigrant or non-work visa, for example on a tourist visa or another student visa

Resources STUDENT SERVICES OFFICER (IIE/LASPAU/AMIDEAST) SSO Fulbright Grant Funding Legal Documents Travel Info /Signature Original Transcripts Report Work Authorization J-2 Visa Process Dependents Working Authorization Academic Training GRANTAX-IIE, LASPAU (International Student Office) FOREIGN STUDENT ADVISOR FSA Campus Involvement Student Advisor Meet People Cultural Exchange Report Dependents GRANTAX-AMIDEAST Local Info – cell phones, banking, events, transportation, etc. ACADEMIC ADVISOR (Department) AA Student Report Registration Academic Support

U.S. Tax Filing Obligations All J-1 exchange visitors must report information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) while in the U.S. Depending on your sources of funding and employment (when approved) in the U.S., you will need to apply for an identification number – either a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for U.S. tax filing purposes. Fulbrighters who will not earn income in the U.S. and do not receive funding through U.S. sources do not need to apply for an SSN or ITIN, but are required to file a Statement for Exempt Individuals (IRS Form 8843). If you have U.S. source income to report to the IRS, your Fulbright advisor will email you about applying for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and filing your U.S. tax forms. - If you will be employed on campus (e.g., a Teaching or Research Assistantship) as part of your grant, you should apply for an Social Security Number (SSN). You will also need a work authorization letter from your administering agency AMIDEAST, IIE or LASPAU. You must inform your Fulbright Advisor that you need a Work Authorization Letter to take up the assistantship. - If you receive funding through IIE and LASPAU you are required to use the GRANTAX service to file your U.S. taxes. You will receive an email from IIE or LASPAU about the GRANTAX service.

Questions & Contact Fulbright Short-Term Pre-academic Program Main Contact: preacademicprograms@iie.org OR Joshua Epstein Senior Program Officer jepstein@iie.org 212-984-5343