Current USM International Students

OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS Current International Students
INTERNATIONAL HOME ABOUT: News & Events International Exchange Blog Where are they now? * * Coming Soon STUDY AWAY: International Exchange National Exchange USM Short Term Winter Travel Programs USM Short Term Summer Travel Programs Request Study Away Information INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Future Students INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: Visiting Scholars International Development for USM Faculty & Staff Exchange Management Community Liaison Activities PHOTOS: Coming Soon!	Health Insurance HEALTH INSURANCE International students and scholars at USM are required to have health and accident insurance coverage for themselves and their dependents living in the United States. USM has a plan designed especially for international students and scholars on F and J visas. To learn more about this plan please visit the Cross Insurance website. To sign up for this plan please visit the International Programs office at 101 Payson Smith, USM Portland Campus for enrollment paperwork. If you have your own plan from home or another insurance carrier please be sure that you have provided that information to the International Programs office. Practical Training & Immigration Issues CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING Considering an INTERNSHIP? Remember that all Curricular Practical Training for International Students requires authorization. Learn the procedures for CPT. We've also included a sample letter for your academic advisor to make the process easier. OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING Almost finished with your degree program? Ready to apply for your one-year of off campus work permission known as OPT? Remember that you should begin this process at least 2-3 months before you expect to begin work. Learn the procedures for applying for OPT. We've also included a sample letter for your academic advisor to make the process easier. DROPPING A CLASS? Don't forget that as an International Student you must always be registered for a minimum of 12 credits as an Undergraduate student or 9 credits as a Graduate student. The only exception is your final semester. Also, be sure you know what USM's withdrawal schedule is in terms of reimbursement. CHANGE OF ADDRESS GE OF ADDRESS: Have you changed your address or phone number? Remember you must always keep this information current with the Office of International Programs. Submit your address changes to the International Office via our on-line Change of Address form. ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION If you need a letter of enrollment verification simply complete the on line enrollment verification request. LETTER FOR VISITOR REQUEST Inviting your family for graduation ceremonies or a summer visit? Need a letter for them to submit with their tourist visa application? Compete our "Family/Friend Visit Request Form" in Word format and the Office of International Programs will prepare a letter that they can take with them to their visa interview. Note: This is not the same as bring a spouse or depending on an F-2 or J-2 visa. If this is what you want to do please contact the International Office for more information. TRANSFERRING FROM USM TO ANOTHER SCHOOL WITHIN THE US? USM has developed an instruction sheet for transferring from USM to another school in the US. Read or print out the "Transfer Out Instructions" now. You will also need to complete a "Transfer Out Form" If you have other questions about your immigration status, work regulations or internships please contact Kimberly Sinclair OR Domenica Cipollone (207-780-4959) in the USM Office of International Programs. If we are not able to assist you via e-mail we will schedule an appointment. New International & National Exchange Students Fall 2007 Office of International Programs and National Student Exchange P. O. Box 9300 101 Payson Smith Hall Portland, ME USA 04104-9300 E-Mail: International@usm.maine.edu Phone: (207) 780-4959 TTY (207) 780-5646 FAX (207) 780-4933

Health Insurance

HEALTH INSURANCE
International students and scholars at USM are required to have health and accident insurance coverage for themselves and their dependents living in the United States.

USM has a plan designed especially for international students and scholars on F and J visas. To learn more about this plan please visit the Cross Insurance website.

To sign up for this plan please visit the International Programs office at 101 Payson Smith, USM Portland Campus for enrollment paperwork.

If you have your own plan from home or another insurance carrier please be sure that you have provided that information to the International Programs office.

Practical Training & Immigration Issues

CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING
Considering an INTERNSHIP? Remember that all Curricular Practical Training for International Students requires authorization. Learn the procedures for CPT.

We've also included a sample letter for your academic advisor to make the process easier.

OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING
Almost finished with your degree program? Ready to apply for your one-year of off campus work permission known as OPT? Remember that you should begin this process at least 2-3 months before you expect to begin work. Learn the procedures for applying for OPT.

We've also included a sample letter for your academic advisor to make the process easier.

DROPPING A CLASS?
Don't forget that as an International Student you must always be registered for a minimum of 12 credits as an Undergraduate student or 9 credits as a Graduate student. The only exception is your final semester. Also, be sure you know what USM's withdrawal schedule is in terms of reimbursement.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS GE OF ADDRESS:
Have you changed your address or phone number? Remember you must always keep this information current with the Office of International Programs. Submit your address changes to the International Office via our on-line Change of Address form.

ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION
If you need a letter of enrollment verification simply complete the on line enrollment verification request.

LETTER FOR VISITOR REQUEST
Inviting your family for graduation ceremonies or a summer visit? Need a letter for them to submit with their tourist visa application? Compete our "Family/Friend Visit Request Form" in Word format and the Office of International Programs will prepare a letter that they can take with them to their visa interview.

Note: This is not the same as bring a spouse or depending on an F-2 or J-2 visa. If this is what you want to do please contact the International Office for more information.

TRANSFERRING FROM USM TO ANOTHER SCHOOL WITHIN THE US?
USM has developed an instruction sheet for transferring from USM to another school in the US. Read or print out the "Transfer Out Instructions" now. You will also need to complete a "Transfer Out Form"

If you have other questions about your immigration status, work regulations or internships please contact Kimberly Sinclair OR Domenica Cipollone (207-780-4959) in the USM Office of International Programs. If we are not able to assist you via e-mail we will schedule an appointment.

New International & National Exchange Students
Fall 2007

Office of International Programs and
National Student Exchange
P. O. Box 9300
101 Payson Smith Hall
Portland, ME USA
04104-9300

E-Mail: International@usm.maine.edu

Phone: (207) 780-4959
TTY (207) 780-5646
FAX (207) 780-4933

University of Southern Maine