As an F-1 student, it is your responsibility to understand F-1 rules and regulations and maintain your F-1 status while studying in the U.S. Review the below “Maintaining your F-1 Status Guide” for reminders about your responsibilities as an F-1 student.

• Maintaining your F-1 Status Guide
• The I-20, F-1 Visa, and I-94: What are these documents and what are they used for?
• F-2 Dependents (only applicable for F-1 students with F-2 dependents)

In few circumstances, an F-1 student is eligible for a Reduced Course Load. All reduced course loads require authorization from the International Student Advisor in advance. More information:

• F-1 Reduced Course Load

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Study in the States information:

• Maintaining Status
• Students and the Form I-20
• What is the Form I-94?

While in active F-1 status, you are eligible to work an on-campus Student Employment job once you arrive to the U.S. You may work no more than 20 hours/week while school is in session, though you may work more during the breaks. If you are also authorized for CPT or OPT, you may work no more than 20 hours/week between both your on-campus employment and CPT/OPT while school is in session.

If you have been offered on-campus employment:
You will need to apply for and receive a Social Security Number (if you do not already have one), and complete the student employment onboarding process and paperwork before you begin working. You may not begin working until you receive permission from the Student Employment Coordinator, and we are not able to back-date your pay.

Student Employment Coordinator: Gao Ee Her, gao.her@saintpaul.edu

For information on applying for a Social Security Number (SSN), click under "IDs: SSN, Minnesota Driver’s License, and State ID"

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Study in the States information: Working in the United States.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of off-campus work authorization related directly to your field of study at Saint Paul College, before graduation from your program. There is an application process, and authorization requires registration in an internship or special topics course during the semester of your CPT. You must be approved for CPT and receive authorization on your I-20 before you may begin your internship.

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Information and Application Process

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Application Forms:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Faculty & Advisor Verification Form
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Site Approval Form

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Study in the States information: Working in the United States.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of off-campus work authorization to allow F-1 students to gain experience directly related to their field of study. Students may apply for OPT during their program (pre-completion OPT), after completion of their program (post-completion OPT), or a combination of both.

To apply for OPT, you must request a recommendation and receive approval from the International Student Advisor, and apply to USCIS by filing Form I-765. OPT is approved or denied by USCIS and Saint Paul College has no influence on USCIS decisions.

• Optional Practical Training (OPT) Information and Request Process
• Form I-765 (OPT Application) Overview

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Study in the States information: Working in the United States.

It is not required for F-1 students to apply for a Minnesota Driver’s License or State ID, but you are eligible to do so if you wish:

• Minnesota Driver’s License and State ID Application Process

F-1 students are eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) only if they have been offered an on-campus Student Employment job, or authorized for CPT or OPT and offered a paid internship. There is no other way to apply for and receive an SSN.

• Applying for a Social Security Number (SSN)

There are no restrictions on travel in the US for F-1 students as long as you ensure you are maintaining status. Carry your passport and your I-20 with you.

Before you travel outside the U.S. while on F-1 status, you must have your I-20 signed for travel (travel signature must be less than one year old).

You must also have a valid F-1 visa. If your F-1 visa in your passport has expired, or you changed status to F-1 while in the U.S., you will need to re-apply and be approved for an F-1 visa before re-entering the U.S.

You must have the following with you to re-enter the U.S.:

• Valid passport
• Valid F-1 visa
• Valid I-20
• I-20 signed for travel on page 2 less than one year old
• Copy of paid I-901 SEVIS FEE receipt
• Copy of unofficial Saint Paul College transcript (print from eServices under "Academic Records")
• Copies of your bank statement or other financial statements showing US$24,015 (recommended)
• Proof of full COVID vaccination
• The current accepted vaccines are: Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Covaxin, Covishield/Serum Institute of India, BBIBP/Sinopharm, and CoronaVac/Sinovac.

You are responsible for researching visa requirements for other countries you may visit outside of the U.S.

Minnesota State Colleges & Universities policy requires all F-1 international students to purchase the system-approved health insurance plan each semester to enroll in courses. This plan is United Health Care Student Resources (UHCSR).

You have the option before each Fall semester to purchase the annual insurance plan, or purchase the plan each Fall and Spring/Summer.

To be exempt from this requirement, you must have proof from your sponsoring agency or government that you are covered under a plan provided by your sponsoring agency or government. The health insurance cannot be waived under any other circumstances.

F-2 dependents are not required to purchase the health insurance, but it is highly recommended.

Review the insurance plan and access your account at the links below:

• UHCSR Main Page
• UHCSR MyAccount

If you have questions about the health insurance, please contact the Minnesota State Student Insurance Advocate at 320.308.4855 or studentinsurance@stcloudstate.edu.

Regardless of whether or not you have worked, all F-1 students and their F-2 dependents are required to file an annual tax form by April 15 each year. Students are responsible for filing their income taxes and tax forms. Taxes are always due for the previous calendar year. The deadline for taxes and tax forms for 2022 is April 15, 2023. This means that your taxes and forms must be post-marked no later than April 15.

If you have worked either on- or off-campus for CPT or OPT, you must file your state and federal income taxes.

Saint Paul College partners with a tax company called Sprintax to support students in filing non-resident tax returns. Sprintax can help you file state and federal tax returns for a fee ($40-50) – students are responsible for this fee. You are not required to use Sprintax for help filing your taxes, but it is highly recommended. Small discounts for Sprintax are available through the International Student Advisor.

Between January and April, the International Student Advisor will send out a link to the Sprintax website that you may use.

If you were in the U.S. the prior year and did not work or receive any income in the U.S., you must file Form 8843 (Statement of Exempt Individuals).

• Form 8843 Instructions

The International Student Advisor cannot give tax advice.

Sprintax has free tax webinars available for the upcoming 2023 tax season.View dates and register here!

SEVIS Transfer Out and Departure Form

Transfer-Out
To transfer your SEVIS record to another SEVP-certified U.S. college or university, you must present your acceptance letter to that college, along with the above SEVIS Transfer Out form filled and signed to the International Student Advisor.

Graduation
Before you graduate, do not forget to apply for graduation. You will receive reminders from Saint Paul College about this. Once you have applied for graduation, you may consider applying for post-completion OPT. See more information under “Optional Practical Training (OPT)”. If you are transferring after your graduation, see more information above.

Upon completion of your program and/or completion of your post-completion OPT, you have a 60-day grace period in the U.S.

If you are interested in inviting family from home to the graduation commencement ceremony, please reach out to the International Student Advisor for more information.

Early Withdrawal
While on F-1 status, you cannot be un-enrolled or under enrolled in courses and remain in the U.S. without an authorized reduced course load. If you withdraw below 12 credit hours or do not enroll for the Fall or Spring semester, and you have not completed your program, you must depart the U.S. within 15 days. Please fill out the above SEVIS Departure Form if you plan to withdraw and depart the U.S.

If you withdraw and do not depart the U.S. within 15 days, it would be considered an unauthorized withdraw, which is a violation of F-1 status.

Housing Options
Saint Paul College does not have any on-campus housing. Students are responsible for finding their own housing. There are many apartment options available throughout Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Useful apartment search websites:

• Zillow
• ApartmentGuide
• Rent.com
• Apartment Advisor
• Dwellsy
• Dayton Duplex

Saint Paul College also partners with two homestay agencies:

• USA Homestays
• Student Room Stay

Public Transportation
There are public bus routes all over Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and two light rail train lines. As a Saint Paul College student, you can purchase an unlimited public bus and light rail Metro Transit pass for $165/semester and $85/summer.

These passes can be purchased in the bookstore.

Find your bus or light rail route here: Metro Transit

• Banking, Budgeting, Purchasing a Vehicle, and Loans
• A financial resource document for international students
• Saint Paul College Scholarship
• The Saint Paul College scholarship application opens every Fall and Spring semester, and you have the option to apply for it after their first semester.
• The scholarship website also lists external scholarships that may have different deadlines.
• External Scholarship Search Websites:
• Bold.org
• Lead MN
• Minnesota Office of Higher Education
• Fast Web
• Saint Paul College Emergency Funds
• Saint Paul College has an emergency fund for our current students to cover an unexpected financial emergency. Any current SPC student is eligible. You can apply for up to $500 per semester. The emergency fund is not intended to cover regular, ongoing expenses. Examples of emergencies are: a medical emergency and medical bills, serious illness or death of a family member back home, an unexpected catastrophic loss of income by a parent that is supporting you.

Legal Resources
It is the student’s responsibility to know the F-1 regulations and to stay in compliance of the F-1 regulations. If you are arrested and charged with a crime (example: drinking and driving), it is highly recommended that you hire an attorney who knows both criminal law and immigration law. There are a few law firms in the Twin Cities that do both of these types of law:

• Peltier Law
• Wilson Law Group
• Borene Law (specializes in immigration and can help with the immigration side)

If you are seeking support with changing your F-1 status to another status, applying for asylum, marriage or family matters, or other complex issues surrounding your status in the U.S., you can reach out to:

• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
• International Institute of Minnesota

Safety
Saint Paul is an urban city and it’s important that you take the normal precautions you would in any large city. Be aware of your belongings, avoid walking alone at night, and don’t carrying large amounts of cash with you when possible.

• United States Emergency Number: 911
• If you feel you are in immediate danger, call 911.
• You will be connected with a dispatcher. You will need to explain the danger, where you are located, and what help you need. Only call 911 in case of a true emergency.
• Public Safety
• The Saint Paul College Public Safety team is here to keep the campus community safe.
• If you are unsure if there is an emergency, or notice something suspicious or threatening on campus, you can call Public Safety at 651.846.1322

Scams and Identity Theft
There are many scams that target international students, using potentially made-up visa issues to trick you into giving money or stealing your identity.

As a general rule, the U.S. Government, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Social Security Administration (SSA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), USCIS, or any other U.S. government agency will never call you on the phone demanding personal information such as your name, address, social security details, or request money over the phone.

Never give away your personal information, bank information, social security number, credit card information, or other sensitive information to anyone over the phone or email that you do not know and trust.

Be cautious of anyone that attempts to contact you through e-mail, social media, or by phone that you do not know and is not verified to be from a government agency.

Mental Health/Counseling
Your mental health is very important, and there are a lot of unique challenges that come with being an international student. It is important that you take care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Saint Paul College values your mental health and wants to support good mental health. Your International Student Advisor and Saint Paul College staff are here for you.

Saint Paul College has Mental Health Counseling services available. These services are free and confidential for you to use as a student.

The Ramsey County Mental Health Crisis phone line is 651.266.7900 which is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Global Cultures Club
Recognized by the Office of Student Life and Diversity, the Global Cultures Club was established in Fall 2019 with the first group of 26 international students from 16 different countries. The Global Cultures Club plans social events throughout the year. The main event is the "International Extravaganza" in April of every year.

Membership is open to any Saint Paul College student. You might consider running for the Club Board, which consists of a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The club has a budget, through Student Life, to plan these social events.

Get to Know Minnesota!

• Explore Minnesota
• Visit Saint Paul
• Meet Minneapolis
• Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
• Minnesota State Parks