International Student Policies
International Students are assigned a secondary advisor from the Global Learning Office to help them navigate their educational experience at Carroll and ensure they remain in compliance with the regulations governing their student visas, as noted below.
Maintaining F-1/J-1 Status
SEVIS
SEVIS stands for “Student & Exchange Visitor Information System” and is a database used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to track international students and visitors in F-1, J-1 or M-1 status. The Global Learning Office (GLO) uses this database to update your student status each semester. It is imperative that the student inform the Global Learning Office whenever their situation changes. If the GLO is unable to verify the students status, they may have to terminate the students record within SEVIS. If this happens, the student will have to apply for reinstatement or leave the country and come back in with a new I-20 or DS-2019.
Course Load
The student must register for and complete a minimum of 12 credits per semester. The only exceptions to this are when the student needs fewer than 12 credits to complete their program that semester, or if they request and are granted permission from the Global Learning Office in advance. The student must request and obtain permission from the Global Learning Office before they withdraw (officially or unofficially). If the student drops below 12 credits, they will be out of status. One on-line or distance education class may count for up to three credits towards the full course of study.
Transferring or Taking Courses from a Different School
A student who wishes to take courses temporarily at a different school must consult with the Global Learning Office to determine if any procedures must be followed to authorize the study. To transfer to a different school, the student must follow proper transfer procedures and consult with the Global Learning Office prior to transferring out of Carroll College.
Changing Major
The student must inform the Global Learning Office of any change in their major (s) or minor (s) status and request a new I-20.
Change of Address, Name, Phone Number
The student must report any change of address, name and phone number to the Global Learning Office within ten days of the change.
International Student Employment
On-campus Employment
The student may be employed at Carroll College in any job on campus. The student may not accept on-campus employment without prior written clearance from the Global Learning Office and Career Services.
Social Security Number
Prior to employment the student will need to apply for a social security number. The Global Learning Office will provide verification of legal status for employment purposes and assistance to obtain a US Social Security Number.
Off-campus Employment
With appropriate authorization from Career Services, students may work off campus. For both F-1 and M-1 students any off-campus training employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorized prior to starting any work by the Designated School Official. There are several types of authorization as outlined below.
F1 Students Only: Economic Hardship Work Authorization
If there is an unforeseen change in the students financial situation they may be eligible to apply for a Severe Economic Hardship Work Authorization from the USCIS. The student must have completed at least one academic year of schooling before they can apply. See Career Services for more information.
Practical Training (CPT/OPT) or Academic Training
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work which is directly related to the students field of study. Most F-1 students are eligible to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) before completion of studies, and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT) during or after a program of study. The student may request 12 months of OPT at each program level (Associate’s, Bachelor's, Master’s, or PhD).
Please note: OPT after completion of studies must be requested before they complete their studies. The best time to complete this request is typically 6-8 weeks prior to expected graduation.
J-1 degree seeking students may apply for academic training to be done following their academic program. The program sponsor must approve this well in advance of the program completion date. The student should consult their program sponsor within 90 days of the completion of their program if they are interested in applying for academic training.
Important Note: On-campus and off-campus employment must not exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session, but may be full-time when school is not in session or during your annual vacation period (off-track).