Welcome
To
San Jacinto College
Maintaining Status
• Full course load—Spring and Fall
• 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.
Maintaining Status (cont’d)
• Valid Form I-20: DO NOT LET YOUR
I-20 EXPIRE!
• 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
• Not enrolling
• Change of name, address, phone #
• Change of major
• Any employment (OPT, CPT, offcampus)
Reporting (continued)
• Number of credits completed each
semester
• Graduation date
• When you transfer and to which school
you are transferring
Other Factors Affecting Status
• 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WITHDRAWN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
• Can be concurrently enrolled; must bring
fee receipt to your advisor
• Must be full-time between both schools
• At end of semester, to bring transcript
from other school
Transferring to Another School
• Notify 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)
• 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
• 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
• Must make normal progress toward a
degree
• Make good grades (avoid probation or
suspension)
Program Extension
• 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
Probation/Suspension
• 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
Expired Documents
• Visa: Legal status is OK; is renewed when
leaving and reentering country
• Passport: Should be renewed 6 months
before expiration
Change of Information
Notify your International Student Counselor
when you change your:
• Name
• Address
• Phone number
Failure to do so is a violation of CIS
regulations
When?
• Within 10 days of the change
Employment
• On-campus only
– Part-time up to 20 hours per week
– Must have social security number
• Off-campus is not allowed by CIS
– Exceptions: economic hardship (must have
proof)
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
– Internship that is part of your degree
Leaving the Country
• See your international student advisor
before you leave!
• 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:
– I-20
– I-94
– Passport and visa
Addresses
• Social Security:
320 East Southmore, #306, Pasadena
713-740-7129
Hours: M-F; 9:00-4:00
• Driver’s License:
1610 Preston, Pasadena
713-473-3232
Campus Services
• Counseling
• Advising
• Workshops
• Tutoring
• Transfer Center
• Student Organizations—International
Student Organization
More Services
• International Student Family Friendship
Program
• International Friend Program
• Financial Aid/Scholarships
• Housing
• Insurance
Degrees/Degree Plans
• A.A.
• A.A.S.
• Bachelor’s degree
• Transfer Plans
Placement Testing (TASP)
• 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”
Registration
• REGISTER BY TELEPHONE or ONLINE!
• Steps for telephone & web registration:
see class schedule for worksheet
The End