International Student Services

Administrative Fee

DSU does not require an out-of-state fee, which most universities use to help fund their international offices, so DSU requires all international students to pay an administrative fee at the beginning of each semester. The fee is automatically posted to your student account and can be paid through MyDSU when paying tuition, insurance, or other student fees. This fee is used to assist International Student Services with DSU van rentals, student events, international student materials, support staff, etc.

Dining and Meal Plan Options

FERPA – Consent to Release Academic Information Link

DSU Payment Guide & Dates

Arrival

Check-in with International Student Services, Union 200, within 5 days of arrival on campus at the beginning of each semester and after breaks/holidays. Be sure to bring your I-20, visa, and passport. After any international travel an updated I-94 must be printed upon check-in with International Student Services.

Departure

Check-out with International Student Services office no less than 5 days prior to leaving campus at the end of each semester and before all breaks/holidays. Be sure to bring your I-20, visa, and passport to make sure that all travel documentation is update. Failure to do so could result in refusal to enter the U.S. by U.S. Customs and Department of Homeland Security.

Academic Regulations

F1 visa regulations require the following during fall and spring semesters.

• Undergraduate – Must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours per semester with at least 9 hours instructed in-person/face-to-face. Zoom/virtual video meetings are not approved to replace necessary in-person/face-to-face hours.
• Graduate – Must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 hours per semester with at least 6 hours instructed in-person/face-to-face. Zoom/virtual video meetings are not approved to replace necessary in-person/face-to-face hours.

International students are required to notify International Student Services prior to withdrawing from any academic courses and/or change of major.

Personal Information Changes

International students are required to notify International Student Services of any changes to student information (address, phone number, academic major/minor, employment, etc.) within 5 days of the change. International Student Services must then update the student’s information and issue an updated I-20, if needed, within 10 days of the change.

Documents

If any international travel documentation (I-20, passport, visa, I-94, etc.) is lost, stolen, or misplaced, please contact International Student Services immediately.

Active Visa Status

All DSU international students are required to maintain an active F1 visa status throughout enrollment. If an F1 visa needs to be extended to maintain an active status, please contact International Student Services no less than 2 months prior to visa expiration.

Health Insurance

DSU requires all international students be enrolled in DSU’s international student health insurance. Students are automatically enrolled upon acceptance and renewed throughout enrollment. Coverage begins on the program start date (first day of classes) and expires on the program end date/graduation/last date of enrollment. Enrollment/renewal fees are automatically charged to the student account and can be paid at the same time as tuition and other student fees.

Please report any medical appointments or surgeries to International Student Services within 5 days for insurance clarification and processing. Any information not submitted in a timely manner may result in the denial of insurance payment, in which case the student will be responsible for any and all charges occurred. If you miss class for any reason, please contact your individual teachers and coach immediately.

Important Instructions Regarding Your Insurance

Insurance Summary of Coverage

Transportation

How to Apply for a Mississippi Driver’s License

On Campus Employment

Undergraduate and graduate F1 visa students are eligible to work on campus as a Regular Student Employee (RSE). Graduate level F1 students are also eligible to work on campus as a Graduate Assistant (GA). Employment availability depends on individual on-campus departmental openings and work hours depend on the individual department’s needs. For more information, please see the On Campus Guidelines & Application Process form below.

On Campus Guidelines and Sample Employment Letter
Social Security Office Sample Letter
Resume Tips

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows F1 students to participate in off-campus internship, cooperative education, practicum, or employment that is directly related to their current program of study. The work can be paid or unpaid and students are eligible to work full-time (20+ hrs/wk) or part-time (-20 hrs/wk). In addition, the work must be eligible for academic course credit and pre-approved by International Student Services before the student can begin working. Any off-campus work (paid or unpaid) that is not pre-approved by International Student Services will be considered unlawful by the US Department of Homeland Security and is grounds for visa/immigration status termination and deportation.

For more information, please see the CPT Guidelines & Application Process form below.

CPT Guidelines & Sample Letters
Social Security Office Sample Letter
Resume Tips

Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (Pre-Completion OPT)

Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (Pre-Completion OPT)  allows F1 students to gain off-campus employment while enrolled in their degree program through work or internship in their field of study. The employment can be paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, and must be pre-approved by International Student Services before employment can begin. For more information, please see the Pre-Completion OPT Guidelines & Application Process form below.

Pre-Completion OPT Guidelines & Application Process
Pre-Completion OPT Employer Sample Letter
Social Security Office Sample Letter
Resume Tips

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (Post-Completion OPT)

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (Post-Completion OPT)  allows F1 students to gain off-campus employment upon completion of their degree program through work or internship in their field of study. The employment can be paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, and must be pre-approved by International Student Services before employment can begin. For more information, please see the Post-Completion OPT Guidelines & Application Process form below.

Post-Completion OPT Guidelines & Application Process
Post-Completion OPT Employer Guidelines & Letter
Sample Letter for Social Security Office
Resume Tips