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

2. 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.

3. Fulbright Map

4. 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

5. 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

6. Important Documents (IIE)
Fulbright Online:
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.

7. Important Documents (LASPAU/AMIDEAST)
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 to AMIDEAST Placement Officer

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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
Go to the Bursars Office (Billing Office) with your TOA to verify 3rd party billing
Network -Attend International Student Orientation, ListServ, Enrichment Seminars

12. 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.

13. 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:
- 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

14. 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

15. 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 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 from IIE or LASPAU about the GRANTAX service.

16. Questions & Contact Fulbright Short-Term Pre-academic Program
Main Contact: OR
Joshua Epstein
Senior Program Officer