GENERAL UPDATES & REMINDERS
27 February 2008
Taxes: The W-2s for those of you employed last year have been sent out by the University and Research Foundation. If you don't have one, contact your employer directly. Be sure you have one before you do your taxes. Also, remember...
ALL F-1s AND J-1s MUST SUBMIT A TAX FORM, EVEN IF THEY DID NOT WORK.
If you are an F-1 or J-1 visa holder who is NOT a tax resident*, be sure to get your password for CINTAX tax preparation software, by sending the following info to ISSS:
Full Name
SEVIS ID#
UIN
Current Visa Status
Current Academic Level
Current Major/Field of Study
[*A tax resident is an F-1 visa holder who has been in the U.S. for more than five years, a J-1 student who has been in the U.S. for more than five years or a J-1 scholar in the U.S. for more than two years.]
If You Are An F-1 or J-1 Who Did Not Work in 2007: If you were in the U.S. and did not work in 2007, you must still fill out form 8843 and review its instructions.
Didn't Get Your W-2?: If you haven't gotten your W-2 form from ODU by 1 March 2008, you will need to request a new one. Also, it may be that your form was sent to the address in LeoOnline labeled "Permanent" (not SEVIS Permanent Foreign); as always, you must maintain your Permanent (U.S. mailing address), SEVIS U.S. and SEVIS Permanent Foreign addresses.
Travel During Spring Break: If you will be leaving the U.S. over Spring Break and are on an F or J visa, don't forget to get a travel signature so you can re-enter the U.S. Be sure sure to check that you don't have any registration holds; we can't process your request if you do. You can drop your I-20 off in ISSS (Hughes 2101) and attach the orange half-sheet next to the ISSS Inbox. Please allow three business days for signature to be done; an e-mail will be sent to you when it is ready for pick-up. You do not need to get a signature if you will be traveling within the U.S.; however, you should take your visa document, I-94 and passport with you.
Last--but not least, please tell a friend where you're going and when you'll be back, or if you change your plans (we've had some frightened students contact us when their friends decided to extend their trip by a day or two without notifying anyone here).
International Student Leadership Award (ISLA): Are you undergraduate? If so, could you use $5,000 for tuition? Check out the ISLA application to see if you qualify. This financial award will give recipients $2,500 for Fall 2008 and $2,500 for Spring 2009. We look forward to receiving your application!
Graduation Tickets: If you will be graduating and won't need all of your allotted tickets, there are students who can use them. Please post your requested number or if you have any available on our message board. Although this a "for sale" board, tickets should be shared and not sold. Also, be sure to specify whether or not the extra tickets you have/need are for the morning or afternoon ceremony; the tickets are not interchangeable.
Visits from Family/Friends: ISSS has a web page just for students graduating; it includes a checklist of paperwork and other necessities you'll need to do before leaving the University. If you would like to invite family and friends to the ceremony, there is a link from the graduation page to more information.
Living On Campus Next Year?: If you plan to live on campus next year (08-09 academic year), don't forget that the deadline to submit the $150 pre-payment is Monday, 3 March. FMI: Housing or Finance.
Don't Wait Until the Last Minute!: Attention all undergrads who have earned at least 58 credits...take your Exit Exam sooner rather than later. Every year, we have students who run into visa issues because they have not satisfied this requirement. Avoid unnecessary hassles by checking this of your list now!
Optional Practical Training (OPT) for May Graduates: If you are on an F-1 and would like to obtain your one year of OPT work permission from Immigration, now is the time to submit your application. Don't forget that attendance at an OPT workshop is one of the application requirements.
