Welcome To San Jacinto College

Maintaining Status Full course load—Spring and Fall Full course load—Spring and Fall Cannot drop below 12 credit hours; summer enrollment is optional Cannot drop below 12 credit hours; summer enrollment is optional Most of your classes must be taken at the campus that holds your I-20. Most of your classes must be taken at the campus that holds your I-20.

Maintaining Status (cont’d) Valid Form I-20: DO NOT LET YOUR I-20 EXPIRE! Valid Form I-20: DO NOT LET YOUR I-20 EXPIRE! Valid passport (i.e., valid expiration date) Valid passport (i.e., valid expiration date)

What Happens If You Are Out of Status You need to file for reinstatement with CIS through your SJC advisor within 5 months

What is Reported to CIS Below 12 credit hours Below 12 credit hours Not enrolling Not enrolling Change of name, address, phone # Change of name, address, phone # Change of major Change of major Any employment (OPT, CPT, off- campus) Any employment (OPT, CPT, off- campus)

Reporting (continued) Number of credits completed each semester Number of credits completed each semester Graduation date Graduation date When you transfer and to which school you are transferring When you transfer and to which school you are transferring

Other Factors Affecting Status Class attendance: YOU MUST ATTEND CLASSES OR RISK BEING WITHDRAWN Class attendance: YOU MUST ATTEND CLASSES OR RISK BEING WITHDRAWN

Taking Classes At Other Campuses If SJC holds I-20, must take most classes here If SJC holds I-20, must take most classes here Can be concurrently enrolled; must bring fee receipt to your advisor Can be concurrently enrolled; must bring fee receipt to your advisor Must be full-time between both schools Must be full-time between both schools At end of semester, to bring transcript from other school At end of semester, to bring transcript from other school

Transferring to Another School Notify your SJC advisor Notify your SJC advisor Bring advisor’s report form from the other school to your SJC advisor Bring advisor’s report form from the other school to your SJC advisor Send your SJC transcript to the other school (from Registrar’s office) Send your SJC transcript to the other school (from Registrar’s office) See advisor at other school for additional paperwork and for new I-20 See advisor at other school for additional paperwork and for new I-20

Transferring to SJC Must contact SJC international counselor within 15 days of classes to obtain I-20 Must contact SJC international counselor within 15 days of classes to obtain I-20 Financial documents should be no more than six months old Financial documents should be no more than six months old

Pursuing a Course of Study Changing majors—must follow courses for declared major or request a new I-20 Changing majors—must follow courses for declared major or request a new I-20 Must make normal progress toward a degree Must make normal progress toward a degree Make good grades (avoid probation or suspension) Make good grades (avoid probation or suspension)

Program Extension When is it allowed? When is it allowed? –When you have changed majors –Something, such as an illness, has interrupted your studies See your advisor at least two months before your I-20 expires See your advisor at least two months before your I-20 expires

Probation/Suspension Probation: GPA (grade point average) falls below a certain point Probation: GPA (grade point average) falls below a certain point Suspension: While on probation there is no improvement in GPA. Student is asked not to enroll in next long semester Suspension: While on probation there is no improvement in GPA. Student is asked not to enroll in next long semester

Expired Documents Visa: Legal status is OK; is renewed when leaving and reentering country Visa: Legal status is OK; is renewed when leaving and reentering country Passport: Should be renewed 6 months before expiration Passport: Should be renewed 6 months before expiration

Change of Information Notify your International Student Counselor when you change your: Name Name Address Address Phone number Phone number Failure to do so is a violation of CIS regulations

When? Within 10 days of the change Within 10 days of the change

Employment On-campus only On-campus only –Part-time up to 20 hours per week –Must have social security number Off-campus is not allowed by CIS Off-campus is not allowed by CIS –Exceptions: economic hardship (must have proof)

Training Optional Practical Training Optional Practical Training –12 months of full-time work after completion of program –12 months total for all of your education –Must apply before completion of program Curricular Practical Training Curricular Practical Training –Internship that is part of your degree

Leaving the Country See your international student advisor before you leave! See your international student advisor before you leave! Documents needed: Documents needed: –I-20 signed on back by advisor –I-94 card –Passport –Transcripts –Letter from advisor

Leaving the Country (to obtain new visa) You must have current financial documents in order to renew or change your visa

Returning to the Country See your international student advisor upon returning You will have a new I-94 number that needs to be documented

Obtaining a Social Security Number See your international student advisor for a letter Also take: Also take: –I-20 –I-94 –Passport and visa

Addresses Social Security: Social Security: 320 East Southmore, #306, Pasadena Hours: M-F; 9:00-4:00 Hours: M-F; 9:00-4:00 Driver’s License: Driver’s License: 1610 Preston, Pasadena

Campus Services Counseling Counseling Advising Advising Workshops Workshops Tutoring Tutoring Transfer Center Transfer Center Student Organizations—International Student Organization Student Organizations—International Student Organization

More Services International Student Family Friendship Program International Student Family Friendship Program International Friend Program International Friend Program Financial Aid/Scholarships Financial Aid/Scholarships Housing Housing Insurance Insurance

Degrees/Degree Plans A.A. A.A. A.A.S. A.A.S. Bachelor’s degree Bachelor’s degree Transfer Plans Transfer Plans

Placement Testing (TASP) When you fail a section you must: When you fail a section you must: –Retest or –Take a developmental course until you have completed the series in areas you did not pass What is passing? A skill level of “7” What is passing? A skill level of “7”

Registration REGISTER BY TELEPHONE or ONLINE! REGISTER BY TELEPHONE or ONLINE! Steps for telephone & web registration: see class schedule for worksheet Steps for telephone & web registration: see class schedule for worksheet

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