Announcements for the Week of January 19 to 26 2011

Advisors are accessible to students by email, telephone, and walk-in advising hours.  If a student would like to schedule an appointment, please call 824-2748 to do so.  As a reminder, our walk-in advising hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10:00am-12:00pm (noon) Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 1:30-4:00pm.  Please know that we are available and are here to serve all students.

 Add/Drop Deadline

The deadline to add and drop classes TODAY Wednesday January 19 at 5pm.  Please remember that all undergraduate students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours and graduate students in 9 credit hours to maintain F1 student status. If you are not enrolled full-time in classes and do not have an approved Reduced Course Load form you are in violation of your F1 status and your I-20 will be terminated. Please see an advisor IMMEDIATELY if you are not full-time and have not received authorization for a reduced courseload.

Graduation Deadlines

The deadline for Undergraduates to apply for summer 2011 graduation is February 1, 2011. For Graduate students the deadline to apply for spring 2011 graduation is February 1, 2011 and the deadline for summer 2011 for graduate students is June 1, 2011.

Off campus work authorization WORKSHOPS

If you are graduating spring or summer 2011 and have not attended an off campus employment workshop, sign up today.  For students graduating in May 2011 the priority date to send an OPT application to USCIS is February 18, 2011.  8 workshops dates have been selected to accommodate student schedules. Off campus employment includes internships, Cooperative Education or other practical training that is not on the UAHuntsville campus. Students interested in Curricular Practical Training must be enrolled in two semesters at UAHuntsville prior to being eligible for CPT. Students MUST attend a workshop before an advisor can meet to discuss individual questions.  Email visahelp@uah.edu  to reserve your space as participation is limited to 10 students per workshop.  All workshops! will be held in Conference Room 116 in MADISON HALL.

Wednesday February 9th 10:00-11:30am

Friday February 25, 2:00-3:30pm

Wednesday March 2, 10:30am- 12:00pm

Wednesday March 16, 10:00-11:30am

Monday April 4, 3:00- 4:30pm

Wednesday April 13, 10:00-11:30am

Monday May 2, 2:30- 4:00pm

Monday May 9, 3:30- 5:00pm

How to obtain an AL Driver’s License and determine eligibility

F-1 students in status with a minimum of 160 days remaining on section 5 of the I-20 record are eligible to apply for an AL Driver’s License.

Students not eligible for a social security number should do the following:

1) Request a non-eligibility letter from the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO). 

2) This is done by dropping of a “student/scholar request form” available on our website and in the office and waiting for an email from an advisor that it may be picked it up in the UC 116.

3) The letter must be used within 30 days of the date written on the letter to visit the Social Security Administration (with the appropriate documents as listed on the bottom of the letter) to obtain a non-eligibility letter and then take that letter to AL Department of Public Safety (AL DPS). 

4) If the dated letter goes beyond 30 days, it is no longer valid. The International Student and Scholar Office will issue one SSA verification letter per student so please plan accordingly. 

If a student has a social security number and wants to apply for an AL Driver’s License:

1) Go directly to the AL DPS with valid I-20 (at least 160 days before expiration), I-94 card, Passport, Enrollment Verification, and a social security card, and apply for an AL Driver’s License.

For students with less than 160 days on their SEVIS I-20 please know that the ISSO is unauthorized to extend an I-20 for the purpose of renewing or obtaining an AL Driver’s License.  

If a student has applied for Optional Practical Training and wishes to renew his/her driver’s license, wait patiently until the EAD card has arrived.  Though the I-20 will have the completion date of studies, students are able to renew with a valid EAD card (no copies or receipt notices are accepted by the ALDPS).

Any student who has an expiring driver’s license and would like to renew it but does not have 160 days on their I-20 please know that AL State Law does clarify that there is a 60 day grace period to drive in AL with an expired license.  Students who have International Driver License should ask the AL DPS office for clarification of use of International Driver’s Licenses.

International Student Advisors understand that each student has unique circumstances and encourages students to contact an advisor if they would like assistance navigating the process.

Thank you,
International Student and Scholar Advisors
International Student and Scholar Office