Author: King, Jennifer

UConn Visa Compliance Fee Information

The University of Connecticut has approved a new student fee for eligible active UConn students on F-1 and J-1 visas.

When will the Visa Compliance Fee be applied?

To accurately capture which students have enrolled, the fee will be applied to bills in two batches. The first batch of  students will receive the Visa Compliance Fee on their bill the week of 7/10/2017, and the second batch of students will be charged on the 11th day of Fall semester, 9/11/2017. All students will receive an email notification once the fee has been applied to their bill.

What expenses will the Visa Compliance Fee cover?

This fee will cover expenses associated with the University’s sponsorship of F and J visas for international students. It is not a government fee, or a fee tied to your individual visa application. For international students to study on a student visa, the University must sponsor your visa. This means UConn is responsible for maintaining your SEVIS immigration record, assessing and processing your applications for immigration benefits, providing advising to help you maintain your immigration status while supporting your academic and career goals, and reporting regularly to the U.S. government on the status of your visa. This requires adequate staffing, resources, and professional training, which will be met through the Visa Compliance Fee.

What benefits will I receive from the Visa Compliance Fee?

Direct benefits of the fee to international students include:

-Increased advising immigration support staff to meet your immigration processing and advising needs.

-Full-time international advisors based at the UConn Stamford campus and in Hartford to serve the new UConn Hartford campus, Graduate Business Learning Center and School of Law.

-The ability to continue providing walk-in advising services at the Storrs campus.

-Improved application processing time.

-Improved email response time.

-Improved application services, including web-based applications.

The $350 fee is charged as part of the required University tuition and fees for each semester that a student is enrolled, Fall and Spring terms only. Students who have been charged the fee but will not enroll in the next semester will have the charge removed after day 10 of the next semester. Payment for the Visa Compliance Fee will be due on October 15 for the Fall 2017 semester (Spring semester payment deadline TBD).

 

Who should I contact with questions about the Visa Compliance Fee?

Please contact the Bursar with any billing related questions at bursar@uconn.edu. Contact ISSS with any further questions at international@uconn.edu.

Important Fee Changes for OPT, STEM OPT and Academic Training Applications

Please be advised of recent fee changes associated with applying for F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) and J-1 Academic Training (AT).

1)      For F-1 students: USCIS will raise OPT filing fees effective December 23rd, 2016. Applications postmarked or filed on or after December 23rd must include the new filing fee, or USCIS will reject your application. The filing fee for all I-765 applications for OPT (including pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT and OPT STEM extension) will be raised to $410 (from the current $380).

2)      For F-1 and J-1 students: The University of Connecticut will begin implementing a Post-Completion Training SEVIS Maintenance Fee for all F-1 and J-1 students who will apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (F-1) or post-completion Academic Training (J-1). This fee will be assessed at the time that you apply for post-completion OPT or AT, and will cover expenses related to maintaining your SEVIS record after you have graduated from the University. This fee will not be assessed for applications for pre-completion OPT or AT.  The fee will be $150 per 12 months of practical training that you are requesting. For example, if you are applying for 12 months of post-completion OPT, you fee will be $150. If you are applying for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, the fee will be $300. Details on how to pay the fee are posted on the ISSS webpage OPT application instructions. For OPT applicants, this fee is in addition to the USCIS filing fee mentioned above. The Post-Completion Training SEVIS Maintenance Fee will be required for OPT and AT applications submitted for approval to ISSS on or after January 1, 2017.

Please contact ISSS if you have any questions about these important changes.

ISSS Welcomes New Advisors!

ISSS Welcomes New Advisors!

ISSS is happy to announce two new members of our advising team. Annie Casarella joined us in September. Prior to joining ISSS, Annie worked in non-profits around the Boston area serving minority populations and taught English in Ecuador for several years, for World Teach and the University of Cuenca. Most recently she worked for UConn’s School of Business as a Fiscal Assistant. Annie is the designated international advisor for undergraduate students in the Schools of Business, Nursing, Fine Arts, Engineering, Education, Pharmacy and the College of Agricultural, Health and Natural Resources.  Sarah Manning also joined ISSS as an international advisor in October.  Before coming to UConn, Sarah taught adult ESL learners for many years in many different setting. Most recently she was an International Student Advisor at a school in New Haven. Sarah is the designated international advisor for undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and UCAELI students. Please welcome Annie and Sarah!

New ISSS AdvisorsNEW ISSS Advisor Assignments – Who should you contact?

With new staff, ISSS has shifted the designated international advisor contacts for students, scholars and programs. ALL international advisors can help you during Walk-In hours and regional campus advising visits. However, if you have questions to email, please contact your designated ISSS advisor below, based on your program of study:

Sarah Manning: CLAS undergraduate programs, UCAELI (ESL) sm.uconnisss@gmail.com

Annie Casarella: All other undergraduate programs, Pharm D annie.casarella@uconn.edu

Neena Kapoor: CLAS, Education, Pharmacy graduate programs neena.kapoor@uconn.edu

Maximilian Kort: CANHR, Fine Arts, Nursing, Law, Social Work and all Exchange Students maximilian.kort@uconn.edu

Jennifer King: Engineering graduate programs jennifer.king@uconn.edu

Rae Alexander: Business graduate programs rae.alexander@uconn.edu (temporary)

Arthur Galinat: Visiting scholars arthur.galinat@uconn.edu

Rae Alexander
Director
International Student and Scholar Services

ISSS International Student Spotlight: Pauline Batista Souza da Silva, ’16 M.A.

The Olympic Torch
by Pauline Batista Souza da Silva, ’16 M.A.

As we all know, in spite of all controversy this year, the Olympic Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A Latin American capital we all know very well through the life stories of Pelé, Tom Jobim, Hollywood, Carmen Miranda and many other sources of the glamour 20th century entertainment brings.

Because eight years ago, me – from the Rio nobody shows in Hollywood (at least from an amicable perspective), a young woman who’s story has drastically changed, joined other 12 thousand Olympic Torch Bearers this summer.

I left the favela when I was 9 years old, moved to Paraty, a very charming town three hours away from Rio where my family has now become financially successful. I have always studied hard. I now have a bachelors degree as well as a masters degree and have already accepted a PhD candidacy offer. Nissan (one of the Olympic Games’ sponsors) found my story quite appealing and decided to make me an Olympic Torch bearer this summer. Precisely on July 27th, I crossed Paraty, bearing the torch and the hope for all of those who come from underrepresented communities in South America and who have ambitious dreams.

UCONN Alumna carrying Olympic Torch
UConn alumna Pauline Batista Souza da Silva carries the torch at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

In Memoriam: Nataliya Plesha

In Memoriam: ISSS remembers our former international student, Nataliya Plesha. We were saddened to hear of her recent passing, and will remember her for her warmth, humor and energy. In 2012, we asked international students to share with us photos that capture an important or significant moment from their life in the United States. Nataliya shared with us this photo from when she won a national award for teaching. She will be greatly missed.

Nataliya Plesha photo

 

http://dailydigest.uconn.edu/publicEmailSingleStoryView.php?id=59563&cid=24&iid=1932

 

7/1 Changes In The WRTD Bus Pass Program

7/1 Changes In The WRTD Bus Pass Program

Dear UConn students and employees,

Pick up your new passes for the Windham Regional Transit District buses under WRTD’s UConn/Mansfield “Fare Free” program.  Blue passes  for the “WRTD’s UConn/Mansfield “Fare Free” program” from UConn Parking Services expire July 15, 2016. The free passes are available for pickup at the Parking Services Office.  UConn IDs will be required when you pick up your passes.  The passes will be valid for use on the Storrs-Willimantic bus and the Willimantic City bus routes.

Details are as follows:

We’re excited to share some good news with you.

Having been approached with concerns about the changes to the Windham Regional Transit District program, the University has decided to continue the WRTD Free Fare program for the upcoming year.

This reverses the earlier plans under which individuals would have purchased a pass for their WRTD rides. Those who have already purchased a bus pass will be reimbursed.

The free passes are available for pickup at the Parking Services Office.  UConn IDs will be required when you pick up your passes.  The passes will be valid for use on the Storrs-Willimantic bus and the Willimantic City bus routes.

The expired University blue passes will be valid until July 15.  Unfortunately, any yellow pass provided by the Town of Mansfield to students or staff are only valid until June 30, 2016 when the Town’s program expires.

Anyone with questions can contact us at 860-486-1448, or you can send a message to transportation@uconn.edu.

 Visit www.wrtd.net for full schedules.

Career Workshops for International Students

The Center for Career Development is presenting two workshops specifically geared towards the international student job search.

Sign up for the workshop online at www.icworkshops.uconn.edu

 

Writing your American Résumé

Oak Hall 109

Thursday March 3rd at 4pm

What employers look for on résumés varies across the world. Come learn best practices of writing and editing your first American résumé. We will go over how to structure your résumé, what content to include, and how to strengthen your bullet points.

 

Navigating the Spring Career Fair as an International Student

Oak Hall 101

Tuesday March 22nd at 4pm

Career Fairs can be overwhelming; arrive prepared by attending this preparation workshop.  You will learn how to approach employers, what to say in your “elevator pitch,” what to wear, as well as tips and strategies for international students.