International Engagement Newsletter
Weekly Update
Weekly updates for Monday August 24th - Sunday, August 30th
Welcome to our new and returning students! We are so happy to see you!
Thank you!
TAKING CLASSES IN THE U.S. THIS SEMESTER? THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR CLASS ENROLLMENT
Normally to remain in active immigration status, undergraduate students must enroll a total of 12 credit hours with 9 hours being traditional/hybrid and graduate students must enroll in a total of 9 credit hours with 6 hours being traditional/hybrid credit hours. During the COVID pandemic, students who are unable to take the minimum number of traditional or hybrid credits due to the unavailability of appropriate classes in Fall 2020 may seek an exemption from the Office of International Engagement.
A general principle to follow is that international students should enroll in the fewest number of online credits possible to make appropriate academic progress toward their degree. Any undergraduate student enrolled in fewer than 6 traditional/hybrid face-to-face credits, must receive written approval from the Office of International Engagement. Graduates students enrolled in only 3 traditional/hybrid face-to-face credits, must receive written approval from the Office of International Engagement. You may not enroll in 100% on-line credits.
Possible scenarios that can be approved:
- A prerequisite for required course is only offered online
- Scheduling conflicts
- Upperclassmen with limited classes remaining
Fall Shuttles are back!!
Did you recently come back to the U.S?
If you went home for the summer and received a new I-20 via email, please come into the office to pick up your original I-20. Please bring with you the I-20 we sent you via email. If you received a new visa or passport, please bring those with you as well. No appointment required.
INSURANCE MATTERS
Are you Graduating in December? Plan Ahead!
Will you be graduating in December? It is always good to plan ahead. Here are some things to take action on as soon as you begin the semester:
1. Apply for Graduation - although plans for the December graduation ceremony are not finalized, you still must apply for graduation to have your degree requirements reviewed and to set up delivery of your diploma. Undergraduates: On myUCA, go to Essentials - Current students, select the Graduation Application icon. Graduate students: https://uca.edu/graduateschool/graduation/
2. Optional Practical Training - if you are going to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), informational sessions will be held September 15 and 17th. The first date for application processing appointments is September 18th. It is very important to apply early. On October 2, 2020, USCIS is raising the application fee from $410 to $550. To submit your application with the lower fee we must process it no later than September 30th. The OPT Reference Guide is available under the "Employment" tab on the International Engagement webpage.
3. Continuing Your Studies - if you plan to apply for Graduate School or another academic program, apply early. All admission offices are operating more slowly due to COVID-19 restrictions and limited staff.
4. Sash Ceremony - we will be giving all international graduates a home country sash. Stay tuned for how and when the sash ceremony will take place.
Arkansas Fun Fact
Freeman Harrison Owens (1890–1979)
https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/freeman-harrison-owens-66/