Williston Hall 406
Office Hours Monday -Friday8am-12pmClosed for Lunch1pm – 4:30pm
Walk-In HoursMonday -Friday1pm-3pm
Other times by appointment only
*Change of Status and Reinstatements require an appointment
• MUST BE ENROLLED FULL TIME!!!!• Undergrads– 12 credit hours Fall and Spring Semesters
• Grads– 9 credit hours Fall and Spring Semesters
• Summer Term not required by Regulation– May have other reasons that you must take
classes
• Underloads– Talk to ISFO
Enrollment F-1 & J-1 Students
• Undergrads– 2.0 GPA
• Grads– 3.0 GPA
• If you are not in good academic standing, you are NOT eligible for:– Curricular Practical Training (CPT)– Optional Practical Training (OPT)– Travel Signatures (until we know you are
retained)– On-campus employment (must get special
permission to continue working)
Maintain Good Academic Standing
• DO NOT LOSE YOUR DOCUMENTS– Keep in a safe place– If you do lose of damage your documents,
come talk to ISFO immediately about replacement
• Passport– Must remain valid entire time abroad– If you renew, make sure ISFO gets a copy
• Visa– Can expire while in the U.S.; must renew if
you leave the country
Documents
• Travel Signatures– Need a recent signature (6 months highly
recommended)• Page 2 of I-20• Page 1 of DS-2019
• Academic Probation– Your status must be confirmed before a
travel signature can be issued.
• Mid-Semester Travel– Not recommended, but if there is an
emergency come talk to ISFO
Travel
• Allowed for everyone right away• 20 hours/week limit during Fall and
Spring Semesters• Possible full-time during Summer
• F-1 No Authorization Needed• J-1 Authorization Required
On-campus Employment
• Global Friends Network is a new program that will connect American and International students at NIU in a structured way that promotes cultural understanding, improves the assimilation of International Students into the NIU community, and enhances professional preparation of the students in a Globalizing world.
• The program will be run on a semester-by-semester basis and will be organized by the International Student and Faculty Office with partnership from the Study Abroad Office, College of Business and Honors Program.
• As a starting point for Fall 2015, this program aims to recruit about 20 American and 20 International Students. Through an online application system, students will apply to be a part of the program at the beginning of each semester. ISFO will review applications and match students in pairs. Each pair of students will be required to meet twice a month for an activity (getting coffee, studying together at the library, going for a bike ride, getting lunch together, etc…). ISFO will also host 3 group events for all participants throughout the semester (matching ceremony, outdoor activity and end-of semester banquet).
Global Friends Network