Important Tips

  • Keep your passport, I-20, I-94 Departure Card and all other important documents in a safe place.
  • Make a photocopy of all materials that you send to the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  • Never send cash through the mail.  Use a personal check, money order, or bank check. Money orders can be obtained at any United States Post Office.
  • All checks or money orders sent to the USCIS should be stapled to the appropriate documents.
  • All materials should be mailed to the USCIS as "Certified Return Receipt." The coordinator for international student services/DSO can provide you with the materials needed to do this.
  • Make certain that you inform the coordinator for international student services/DSO at your institution (the institution who issued you your current Form I-20) of any legal changes to your name or any changes to your physical address. (The DSO must have your current physical address.) These changes must be reported to the coordinator for international student services/DSO within 10 days of the change.
  • Make sure to provide the coordinator for international student services/DSO with photocopies of all materials that are sent to the USCIS.
  • All college rules, regulations and policies apply to international students the same way they apply to non-International Students.  However, in addition to college rules, regulations and policies International Students must abide by rules, regulations and policies set forth by the USCIS and other federal agencies.
  • It is important to understand that college rules, regulations and policies may at times differ or conflict with rules, regulations and policies set forth by the USCIS and other federal agencies.  Therefore, it is important to make sure that you are familiar with your rights and responsibilities as an F-1 Student.
  • Set up a file for all of your USCIS related paperwork and keep this file in a safe place.
  • While some members of the faculty and staff have some knowledge or may even be quite knowledgeable about your rights and responsibilities as an F-1 Student, some are less knowledgeable.  If you have any questions regarding these rights and responsibilities, contact the International Student Advisor/DSO.
  • Keep your passport, I-20, I-94 Departure Card and all other important documents in a safe place. (Important enough to list twice.)
  • Never mail your passport!