iBuzz

ISSS Walk-In Advising Hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30-11:30 & 1:30-4:30

Whats the International Buzz?

Here for the Summer?
Keep up to date with everything thats happening at Georgia Tech and in Atlanta with these great resources: Georgia Tech ISSS Twitter: https://twitter.com/GATechISSS Georgia Tech Campus Calendar: https://www.gatech.edu/calendar/ Creative Loafing Atlanta: http://clatl.com/ Access Atlanta: http://www.accessatlanta.com/s/atlanta-events/ Atlanta Summer Internationals Facebook group

Reduced Course Loads for Fall 2013 Semester

When registering for fall semester, dont forget that in order to maintain your F-1 or J-1 student status that you must be registered for and complete at least 12 credit hours (full-time). If you withdraw from a course, those credit hours will no longer count toward the minimum and there is a chance that you may fall out-of-status. Please keep this in mind if you would like to withdraw from a course. Before you withdraw from a course that will take you below full-time, you must have an approved Reduced Course Load from ISSS in order to maintain status. If you are thinking about dropping a course and this would drop you below 12 credit hours, please come during walk-in hours to see an advisor before dropping. After speaking with an advisor, you may submit the Reduced Course Load e-form in iStart. If you will graduate fall semester, December 2013, and need less than 12 credits to graduate, you must complete a Reduced Course Load e-form. The e-form must be approved by your academic advisor (undergraduates) or graduate coordinator (graduate students) before ISSS can approve the request.

Undergraduate Out-of-State Tuition Waivers: Fall 2013

Undergraduate international students in F-1 status may apply for the undergraduate out-of-state tuition waiver. Eligibility is based upon extreme financial need due to emergency or unforeseen economic situations and students should be prepared to provide evidence. Eligibility requirements include:

Extending Your I20 or DS-2019

If your I-20 or DS-2019 will expire in August but you wont complete your program of study this summer semester, you MUST request an extension. If your I -20 or DS-2019 expires and you have not yet completed your program of study, you are considered to be out-ofstatus. To extend your I-20 or DS2019, log in to iStart and complete an extension request. Please be ready to show financial documents when you submit the request.

Full-time (12 credit hours) enrollment for at least two consecutive semesters 2.5 GT cumulative GPA Active involvement in student organizations, community engagement, or volunteer activities while at Georgia Tech Details and applications can be found in iStart under Undergraduate Out -ofState Tuition Waiver e-form. Fall 2013 Deadline: Friday, July 5th at 4:30 pm Please contact Emily Dolezal at emily.dolezal@oie.gatech.edu with any questions after reviewing the e-form.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Authorization

Students planning to work off-campus during fall semester through the co-op program must have employment approved by the Division of Professional Practice (DOPP) and ISSS before starting. CPT is defined as an integral part of the degree program and off-campus employment must be defined as such by DOPP in order to be eligible for CPT. Therefore, while some off-campus employment may be eligible for CPT, not every off-campus employment opportunity is eligible. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in the co-op program in order to be eligible for CPT. Questions about CPT eligibility should be directed to DOPP. After DOPP determines your off-campus employment is eligible for CPT, your employer information will be sent to ISSS. An International Student Advisor will review the information, authorize the employment in SEVIS, and create a new I-20 that includes CPT approval. You will receive an email when your new I-20 is ready to be picked up.

Student Organizations: Update New Officer Information

ISSS wants to keep up with student organizations so that were able to help support initiatives and so that we might be able to promote your information to the larger international student population! By providing informaiton about your student organization, ISSS will be able to send updates about leadership programs, culture break funds, and other services and support offered by OIE. Presidents of GT student organizations are encouraged send the following information to Meg Popick at meghan.popick@oie.gatech.edu: *Name of your organization *Name, title, and email addresses of new officers *Preferred contact person for ISSS *Month when officer elections are held