WELCOME!
International Student
Orientation
International Services
Office
 Provides advisory services to Southeastern
International Students, scholars, and
professors regarding their educational,
financial, and immigration concerns
 The foreign student advisor acts as an
advocate for the individual on any questions
with USCIS.
 The ISO is the only Southeastern office
authorized to sign US government documents
such as I-20’s and DS-2019’s.
How can we help you?
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Visas
Passports
I-20/DS-2019’s
Taxes
Health Insurance
Employment on and off
campus
 Departure and re-entry
into the US
 Transfer to/from other
schools to/from SLU
 Reinstatement of
Student Immigration
Status
 Documents for
dependents of
International Students
 Change of Program
Level
Terms
 I-94: Small white card stapled to your
passport. 11 digit number on card is the
admission number. If the card is lost, you must
apply for a replacement.
 Duration of Status: (D/S) The period during
which the student is pursuing a full course of
study in one educational program
 Visa: Required for entrance into the US. Can
expire while someone is within the boundaries
of the United States.
Terms
 I-20: Issued by foreign student advisor for student on
F1 visa. Notes program of study and duration of status.
 DS-2019: Issued by foreign student advisor for
students on J1 exchange student/scholar visa.
 Passport: Issued by country of citizenship. Must stay
valid at all times.
 SEVIS: The Student and Exchange Visitor Information
System is a web accessible database used by the
Department of Homeland Security to collect, track, and
monitor information regarding exchange visitors and
international students on the F or J visas.
Rules and Requirements
 Enroll Full Time
-Undergraduate F1 and J1 students
shall carry at least 12 credit hours
per semester.
-Graduate F1 and J1 students
shall carry at least 9 credit hours per
semester
-Summer is considered as an optional semester. It
is not required for you to enroll during this term.
 For exceptions, consult the ISO
Rules and Requirements
 On-Campus EmploymentF1 and J1 students may accept on campus
employment only. Limited to 20 hours per
week while school is in session and 40 hours
per week during holidays, vacations, and
semester breaks.
 For exceptions, consult ISO.
 Working off campus without prior USCIS
approval is a violation of status!
Rules and Requirements
 Travel Inside U.S.
-always carry a valid passport, the
I-20/DS-2019, I-94 card, and ID card.
 Travel Outside U.S.
-have current I-20/DS-2019 validated
for travel by ISO
-ensure visa and passport are up to date
(if visa has expired, you will need to apply
for new one at the embassy)
 Change of Address
-you must contact the ISO if your US address changes
Student Employment
 F1 and J1 students are allowed to work on campus
only.
 State and Federal student positions-determined by
student status. International students can only be state
student workers.
 To look for on campus employment, a student must use
the Student Employment Network on the web site:
www.selu.edu/studentemployment
 Once you find employment, obtain a packet from the
Work Study Office in the Financial Aid building on
North Campus. You will also need to contact the ISO
for a work permit by emailing a request to
international@selu.edu.
Taxes
 International Students and Scholars must pay state
and federal taxes if employed on campus or if receiving
a scholarship that is considered earned income.
 Tax determinations are complex and do not always
follow the categories of immigration law.
 Most F1 and J1 students are considered “non-residents
for tax purposes” during their first five years of
presence in the US.
 Federal and state tax laws are different. Your status or
benefits received at the federal level will have no effect
on your state tax.
Taxes
 The International Services Office at Southeastern
works with the Controller’s Office to ensure that both
the international student and the school is in
compliance with the IRS.
 International tax workshops are provided to the
students each year before the filing deadline to ensure
properly filed forms are sent to the IRS and the state.
 The filing deadline for federal taxes is April 15 of every
year. The deadline for state filing is May 15.
 Keep all tax forms that are mailed to you throughout
the year from the school. (W2, 1098T, etc.) You will
need them for the filing deadline.
Tax Treaties
 In certain instances, you may be exempt from
paying some or all federal taxes because of a
tax treaty between the US and your home
country.
 Federal tax treaties have no effect on state tax
laws.
 Time limits, amount of exemption, and nonimmigrant status determine your benefits.
Tax Treaties
 How to claim treaty benefits:
-consult IRS Publication 901 to see if your country has
a tax treaty with the U.S.
-complete form 8233
-complete certifying statement
-complete W7 if you do not have a social
security number or ITIN
 Forms must be submitted to the International Services Office no
later than September 1.
 For questions or concerns, please consult the ISO.
 www.irs.gov
 www.revenue.louisiana.gov
Health Insurance
 All international students on the F1 and J1 visa are
required by law to be covered.
 Southeastern endorses a Student Insurance Plan
issued by Student Assurance Services.
 All F1 and J1 students are automatically enrolled in the
Southeastern endorsed plan.
 If you have your own health insurance, proof must be
provided BEFORE the first day of class each semester.
The Southeastern plan is waived only if alternate
health insurance coverage is approved by the ISO.
Submit the Health Insurance Waiver Form and proof of
coverage to request the waiver.
Health Insurance
 If you do not enroll for summer courses, you
will not be charged for health insurance and
therefore will not be covered. You must
contact the ISO by May 30 of each year if you
wish to be covered for the summer term.
 Expect some out of pocket expenses
 $100 deductible
 Refer to brochure and website for FAQ’s
Social Security Number
 An SSN is a 9 digit employee tax identification number
issued by the Social Security Administration to those
who qualify on the basis of lawful status and legal
employment.
 Used by employers and employees for the purpose of
reporting individual employee earnings for tax
purposes only.
 Often used for a variety of unofficial purposes such as
opening telephone, utility, or bank/credit card accounts.
 If you are not eligible for an SSN, and you face
difficulty opening an account, please speak to the ISO
for other vendor options.
Social Security Number
 Who is eligible?
-F1/J1 students who have secured valid
on campus employment, an assistantship, or USCIS pre-approved off
campus employment.
-you must be in the US for 10 days before you
may apply
 What is valid on campus employment?
-an on campus job that requires you to
work part time throughout the semester
Social Security Number
 How to apply?
Bring the following to the Social Security Administration
Office:
1. Application (Form SS-5) available online at
www.ssa.gov.
2. Letter from ISO confirming your immigration status
and employment eligibility. Please request by emailing
international@selu.edu
3. Letter from department confirming on campus
employment (must also be shown to ISO)
4. Immigration Documents: valid passport, I-94 card, I20/DS-2019.
Social Security Number
 Processing times for SSN applications is
normally 3-5 weeks. The card will be mailed to
you.
 Be wary of identity theft! Protect your SSN at
all times.
 The Social Security Office is located at:
2100 Robin Ave
Hammond, LA 70403
Ph: 985/345-0335
National Toll Free: 1-800-772-1213
LA Driver’s License/ID
 Anyone driving in the United States must
be in possession of a valid driver’s
license from the state in which they are
currently residing.
 If you will not be driving a vehicle, you
may still obtain a LA ID from the
Department of Motor Vehicles.
How to Apply for a Driver’s
License
 Obtain SSN card or letter from SSA stating ineligibility
for SSN.
 Bring valid passport, I-94 card, I-20/DS-2019
 Bring approximately $30 in CASH.
 Most recent Southeastern fee bill and student ID
 Take a car with proper ownership documentation
(registration and proof of car insurance)
 A study guide is available for the written test prior to
examination in the DMV office.
How to Apply for a LA ID
 Obtain SSN or letter from SSA stating
ineligibility for SSN
 Bring I-20/DS-2019, valid passport, I-94
card
 Most recent Southeastern fee bill and
student ID card
 $30 in CASH
Department of Motor
Vehicles
 The DMV is located at
1320 N. Morrison Blvd.
Hammond, LA 70403
Ph: 985/543-4127
Monday-Friday 8:00AM to 4:00PM
Opening a Bank Account
 Request letter from the ISO by submitting
the Reference Letter for Banking form
found on ISO web site.
 Bring the letter from the ISO, your
passport, I-20/DS-2019, and I-94 to the
bank and follow their procedures for
opening an account.
Questions?
International Services Office
7:30 - 5:00 Mon-Thur
7:30 - 12:30 Friday
Ph: 985/549-2360
Fax: 985/549-5882
Email: international@selu.edu
Website:
www.selu.edu/admin/international/index.html