We look forward to welcoming you in just a few months. This is a reminder that students who will arrive in the U.S. for Spring 2021 semester must take a full-time course load, and at least one of those courses must be an in-person or hybrid course. Please work with your academic advisor to select a suitable course or set of courses for this option.

If you will not arrive for Spring 2021, you must notify ISSS. Students who will arrive for a later semester must request an updated I-20 form or DS-2019 form by submitting the SEVIS Defer-Request Update to I-20/DS-2019 form. We ask that undergraduate students complete this form by December 7, and graduate students complete this form by December 19, if they know they will not come. We understand that some students may not yet know the outcome of their visa applications by these dates, and if you are unsure, you may submit this form after the deadline. If you will cancel your enrollment, please contact international@uconn.edu as well as your program admission office.

 

Remember, current students must notify ISSS how they plan to study next semester, by completing the Spring 2021 Active Student Check In Form. Please submit this form by December 7 if you are an undergraduate student, and December 19 if you are a graduate student. If you are not sure of your Spring semester plans by these deadlines, you can wait to submit the form until your plans are confirmed.   If you graduate in December, do not complete this form.

UConn Student Health Insurance Plan for Spring 2021: Students who complete the Spring 2021 Active Student Check-In Form and confirm that they will study outside the United States during Spring 2021 will have the fee for UConn Student Health Insurance Plan removed from their bill, and you will not have UConn Health Insurance coverage for that semester. If you wish to keep your UConn Health Insurance while outside the U.S., or if you will need the insurance in case you return to the U.S. within the coverage period, you must contact Tresca Smith (tresca.smith@uconn.edu) and ask to remain enrolled in the UConn Student Health Insurance Plan. Otherwise, you may expect to have the insurance fee removed (and you will lose the insurance coverage for Spring 21 semester) within 1-2 weeks after you submit the Spring 2021 Active Student Check-In Form, and at the earliest, next week. You are responsible for ensuring that you have your own health insurance coverage while in your home country if you do not keep the UConn Student Health Insurance Plan. This update does not impact insurance coverage for Graduate Assistants who have their insurance through the Connecticut Partnership Plan.

 

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) seeks graduate student volunteers to participate in a new International Graduate Student Buddy program to welcome incoming international graduate students for the Spring 2021 semester.

This program is designed to assist new international graduate students adjust to life in the United States and at UConn. Buddies are volunteers and may be international or American graduate students. Buddies will have the opportunity to gain leadership skills, meet and connect with new international students, and help to create a welcoming environment for new students.

To apply to be an International Graduate Buddy, please complete the online application form by Monday, December 7. More information about the program requirements can also be found on the application form.

For more information, contact: Libby Novak at abigail.novak@uconn.edu

 

Dear students,

November 2 is the University’s deadline to withdraw from a course. We want to remind you that if you are considering dropping a course that would leave you with only part-time enrollment, you must get permission from ISSS before you drop your course.

International students may be eligible in certain circumstances to take a Reduced Course Load and be approved for part time study. These circumstances are:

 

1) Reduced course load for academic difficulties, based on:

1. Initial difficulty with English language (first year of program only)
2. Initial difficulty with reading requirements (first year of program only)
3. Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods (first year pf program only)
4. Improper course level placement

 

An F-1 student can only be approved to take a Reduced Course Load for academic difficulty one time, per degree level, and you must maintain at least half-time enrollment. Please reach out to your ISSS Advisor if you would like to take a Reduced Course Load for Academic Difficulty and explain why your situation meets one of the above criteria for a reduced course load.

 

You must receive an updated I-20 with approved Reduced Course Load from ISSS before you drop your courses. 

 

2) Reduced course load for medical reasons

1. A student may request to take a reduced course load for medical reasons, covering both physical and mental health, if you have a letter documenting the condition from a Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Licensed Clinical Psychologist. If your medical provider does not have this designation, please ask the provider to have someone in the practice co-sign your letter.
2. A medical reduced course load can be taken for up to 12 months cumulatively, per degree level. You may drop below half-time enrollment for a medical reduced course load.

You must receive an updated I-20 with approved Reduced Course Load from ISSS before you drop your courses. 

 

More information and resources:

• Academic support resources and English language support resources
• Reduced Course Load application forms

 

If you are outside the United States:

Students who are outside the United States may have more flexibility to reduce their course enrollment.

 

• Students who began their program in Fall 2020 from their home country and do not yet entered the U.S. on your student visa for UConn are not required to study full-time. You may work with your academic advisor to drop courses as needed, without notifying ISSS.
• Students who were enrolled at UConn before Fall 2020, and returned home due to the pandemic, may choose to either apply for a Reduced Course Load based on the reasons above, or we can terminate your I-20 until you are ready to return to the United States. Then you will not be subject to F-1 visa rules for full time study. If you will give up your active I-20, you must notify your ISSS advisor before studying part-time. You will need to request a new Form I-20 to return to UConn for in-person classes. If you have a scholarship or other financial aid, you may still be required to keep full time courses.

Thank you and we wish you all the best for the rest of the semester!

 

Dear students and scholars,

We would like to remind you about international travel procedures if you are traveling outside the U.S. during the upcoming winter break.

Required Documents

All travelers on an F and J visas need to report their travel information to ISSS through the Travel Information Record. You can access the Travel Information Record and other travel information on this webpage.

 

To return from your trip abroad, you will need to present:

 

• An I-20 form or DS-2019 form, with travel signature signed within 12 months of your return date to the U.S.
• A passport valid at least 6 months into the future from your date of arrival. If your passport has expired while you are here, you may require a new passport or an emergency travel document to enter your home country. Contact your country’s embassy or consulate in the U.S. for more information on this process.
• An unexpired F or J visa (exception: Canadian citizens do not need a U.S. visa stamp)

 

It is also wise to carry academic or financial documentation with you to demonstrate you are a bona fide student or exchange visitor. Do not present these extra documents to immigration unless asked, and keep them in your carry-on bag (not checked luggage) in case you are asked to show further documentation.

 

Remember to submit your new I-94 copy, as well as any new passport or visa copies you receive, through the Immigration Document Update form when you return.

 

How to Request a Travel Signature

• Submit the online Travel Information Record to ISSS.
• If you are on an F-1 or F-2 visa, ISSS will issue your form I-20 electronically, with electronic travel signature from a designated school official, and you can download it from the ISSS Portal when complete. Then you can print a paper copy for yourself, and sign page 1.
• If you are on a J-1 or J-2 visa, we will issue for you a new PAPER DS-2019 form, with wet travel signature from a responsible officer. You can either pick this up from the ISSS office in Storrs when complete, or we can mail it to you. Sign the form after you receive it.

 

Current Entry and Travel Restrictions

• You can always review the latest entry and travel restrictions on the ISSS COVID-19 FAQ.
• Entry of F and J visa holders is still restricted for most travelers who are coming to the U.S., and were present in China, Iran or Brazil within the 14-days prior to arrival.
• J-1/J-2 visiting scholars (Research Scholar, Short Term Scholar, Professor, Specialist programs) who are returning from Schengen Area countries of Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and who have a visa that was issued without a National Interest Exception, must obtain a separate National Interest Exception from the U.S. embassy before traveling to the U.S.
• The Canadian/U.S. border remains closed through November 21 except for essential travel (subject to extension). While travel to resume educational activity has been considered essential, your travel may be subject to the border officer’s interpretation of essential.
• These entry restrictions and procedures are subject to change as conditions change worldwide; ISSS will keep you updated with future changes.
• If your visa has expired or will expire prior to returning, you must renew it prior to returning. U.S. visa services vary around the world. Some are offering routine visa appointments, and others do not.
• Due to the pandemic, please remember that all situations related to travel restrictions, flights, visas, etc. can change, both in your destination country, and the U.S.
• Contact your ISSS advisor with further visa questions related to travel.

 

Study Requirements for Spring Semester 2021

We want to remind you that the government still has not announced study rules for international students in the upcoming Spring semester. We will update you as soon as we know whether the government will continue to allow international students on F-1 and J-1 visas to engage in online study and maintain an active SEVIS record. We will update you as soon as we know their plans.

 

Students can download this travel letter if they wish to have documentation that UConn will offer courses through a variety of course modalities (not just online) for Spring 2021 semester.