News and Reminders for International Students

Distance Learning and Online Courses Tutorial & Academic Skills Center and Writing/Reading Center Are You Transferring Next Year? Who are DHS, USCIS and ICE and What is SEVIS? Reporting Address Changes and Contact Information Workshops ISP Listserv Summary of International Student Tuition and Fees Policies

Distance Learning and Online Courses

As part of an international student's full course of study requirement (minimum 12 units per quarter), a student can include distance learning or online courses as part of full course load. Note:A maximum of 3 units will be counted towards the full course load. For example, if you register for a 5-unit online course, only 3 of the 5 units will be counted towards the required 12-unit load. If you register for a minimum of 12 regular course load, then you can add as many online units as you want above the 12 units. This is a U.S. government immigration rule for F-1 students.

Tutorial & Academic Skills Center and Writing & Reading Center

These Centers supports classroom instruction by helping students at all levels become better learners. They provide free individual and group tutoring in a variety of subjects and self-paced skills courses. Their programs are facilitated by faculty, staff and peer tutors. If you are proficient in a subject, you can apply to the Center to work as a Tutor; this is on-campus employment for international students. Locations are: Tutorial Center (L47) - English, ESL, foreign languages, social science and business Math/Science Tutorial Center (S43) - Math, science and CIS Academic Skills Center (L47) - Reading, vocabulary, math, writing, spelling, grammar and study skills Writing & Reading Center (ATC 309) - Reading and writing for research, resumes, application essays

Are You Transferring Next Year?

If yes, then this Fall is time for you to start your research and prepare your application to universities. Application deadlines for the University of California and most private universities are around November for Fall 2009 admission. Start your preparation by attending one of many transfer related workshops offered by the Transfer Center and ISP.

Who are DHS, USCIS and ICE and What is SEVIS?

You hear these acronyms a lot, but exactly what do they mean.

• DHS = Department of Homeland Security that oversees this country's national security.
• USCIS = U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is a division within DHS responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establishing immigration services policies and priorities.
• ICE = Immigration and Customs Enforcement is also a division of DHS that enforces U.S. immigration and customs laws, for example at the airports and borders.
• SEVIS = Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is the primary government database designed to track and monitor schools and programs, students, exchange visitors and their dependents throughout the duration of approved participation within the U.S. education system.

What do DHS, USCIS, ICE and SEVIS mean for F-1 students? All non-immigrants to the U.S. under F-1 student visa and status are governed by DHS, USCIS and ICE. De Anza College, as an institution, is certified by DHS to enroll F-1 international students and as a result needs to comply to all of its policies and procedures. Any person wishing to study in the U.S. as an F-1 student must know and comply to all rules and regulations set by the DHS, USCIS, ICE and SEVIS. All F-1 student data and activities are tracked by SEVIS and must be updated periodically by schools and government agencies. Want to know more? Attend one of ISP's Immigration Update Workshops.

Reporting Address Changes and Contact Information

One of SEVIS' primary purposes is to maintain current and accurate information of all F-1 students. Many students move, change phone numbers, or change email address. You are required by SEVIS to update these information with the U.S. government within 10 days. In order for ISP to update your data with SEVIS in a timely manner, all students must fill out a SEVIS Address Change Form at ISP even if you change your address online via Touchnet.

Workshops

One of the best ways to refresh your understanding of immigration and employment rules, discuss and share transfer ideas, and learn about new skills and information is to attend one of the many workshops offered by ISP. You can find a calendar of workshops on the ISP calendar every quarter, www.deanza.edu/international/workshops.

Stay Connected - The ISP Listserv

Be the first to receive the latest news concerning F-1 students: change in Immigration rules and regulations, special events, and students' advertisement, used books and furniture sale, etc. There is no other way faster than receiving all these information electronically. At the beginning of your first quarter at De Anza, your e-mail address will be added to our listserv. Check My De Anza to make sure we have your right, and up to date email address.