New Apartments' Info

F-1 PROGRAM POLICIES

Welcome to the United States and to Herzing University!  As a foreign national studying with Herzing University on an F-1 non-immigrant visa, you must comply with U.S. government regulations and Herzing University international student policies throughout your studies in the United States.  You are solely responsible for maintaining your legal status while studying in the United States.  It is important for you to understand and abide by the US government and Herzing University policies listed below.  Please review the following information carefully.  Should you have any questions about this information, contact the International Student Advisor (ISA) or Designated School Official (DSO) listed on your SEVIS form I-20 at Herzing University (Eric Williams).

UPON ARRIVAL AT Herzing University

1.      PAYMENT

Ø      All fees associated with your initial enrollment that are owed to Herzing University (i.e., tuition, enrollment fee, etc) must be paid on or before your start date.  If you do not have receipt of payment, you must complete payment on your first day of class.

Ø      You may not be able to begin studies with Herzing University until payment is submitted.
 

2.      STUDENT ORIENTATION

Ø      You must attend a student orientation and/or meet with your DSO before you begin studies with Herzing.  At that time, you will have the opportunity to review important policies as they relate to your F-1 visa status with your DSO.

Ø      During orientation, you will also be required to submit the following documents to your DSO:

1.       Copy of your F-1 visa

2.       Copy of your passport

3.       Copy of your I-20

4.       Copy of your I-94

5.       Proof of health insurance, (not required, but recommended)

6.       Local US address and phone number

3.      FORM I-515A AND DEFERRED INSPECTION

Ø      If you received a Form I-515A for Deferred Inspection at the Port of Entry you must inform your DSO immediately.

Ø      You must submit the requested missing information to the US government within 30 days after arrival to the U.S.

4.      CHANGE OF VISA STATUS OR REINSTATEMENT APPLICANTS ONLY

Ø      You must provide your DSO with copies of any and all receipts and /or notices issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) related to changing your status to an F-1 student.

Ø      If you are currently a B1, B2 or F2 visa holder and are filing a change of visa status, you cannot begin studies with Herzing University until you receive written approval of F-1 status from USCIS.  All other change of status applicants can begin studies after sending the application to the USCIS.

Ø      Students applying for reinstatement must begin studies after submitting the reinstatement application to the USCIS.

 

DURING STUDIES WITH Herzing University

1.      YOUR IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS

·         You are required to keep all copies of your Form I-20, F-1 visa, I-94 and passport in a safe place.

·         You must notify your DSO IMMEDIATELY if you lose such documentation.
 

2.      CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND/OR TELEPHONE NUMBER

·         If your local address or phone number changes during your enrollment with Herzing University, you must report the change to your DSO no later than 10 days after the change.

·         You are also responsible for reporting your change of address to the USCIS by submitting Form AR-11 within 10 days of an address change.  All F-1 forms can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov or go to http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010Vgn
VCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD to locate any form on the list.

3.      HEALTH INSURANCE

·         It is recommended you maintain health insurance coverage throughout your entire studies with Herzing University.

·         Your DSO can provide you with information on purchasing health insurance.  If you decide to purchase health insurance, please provide your DSO with evidence that shows you have health insurance through your company.

·         You can purchase health insurance for any dependants you may have, but you are not required to do so by Herzing University.  There is an additional charge for dependants.
 

4.      ATTENDANCE POLICY/FULL-TIME STUDIES

GENERAL INFORMATION

·         You must study full-time to main good standing with Herzing University and with USCIS.  For Herzing University SEVIS eligible programs, that means study of at least 12 credit hours per semester (16 weeks of enrollment) at all times.

·         You must study at Herzing University, which is listed on your I-20.  Attendance at another Herzing University or another school will not be counted toward the 12 credit hours per semester (16 weeks of enrollment).

·         Students attend lectures, testing sessions, workshops, and review instructional materials in the training library to meet the requirements of the program.  Time spent studying outside the center does not count toward the 12 credit hours per semester (16 weeks of enrollment requirement.

·         Attendance is recorded daily.

·         If you fail to maintain 12 credit hours per semester (16 weeks of enrollment) at all times, your I-20 maybe terminated, reported to the USCIS through SEVIS, and you will be placed out of legal status list, and you will be subject to dismissal.
 

MEDICAL ABSENCE

·         If you are unable to attend the Herzing University facility due to illness or other medical condition (i.e. surgery, childbirth), you must provide a written notice from a U.S. licensed doctor.  The note must:

1.       Be on a licensed doctor’s letterhead.

2.       Include the licensed doctor’s signature.

3.       Include a start date and end date of inability to attend the center due to illness or medical condition.  Any documented absences you have during this time of illness will be considered excused absences.

·         You are responsible for providing the doctor’s note to the DSO within the week following your illness.

·         If you expect to be out sick for a long period of time, you should contact your DSO before you leave so that the necessary arrangements can be made.  At that time, you will need to submit to your DSO a completed “Request for Temporary Absence” form available from your DSO.

HOLIDAYS/SCHOOL CLOSURE

·         You are not required to study during the time the school is closed such as national holidays.

·         You are not required to study if the center is closed during extreme weather conditions or other unforeseen situations. 
 

5.      TRAVEL ABROAD/LEAVE OF ABSENCE

·         If you need to leave the U.S. during your enrollment, you are permitted to do so as long as the following conditions are met:

1.       You have maintained your legal F-1 status.

2.       You have at least one month of your enrollment remaining after the leave.

3.       Your DSO signs page 3 of your I-20 within 30 days of your traveling, giving you permission to travel.

4.       You must submit proof of travel to your DSO in order to justify your absence.

·         You must receive the DSO’s permission to leave the country at least 5 days before leaving the US.  To request permission, you will need to submit to your DSO a completed “Request for Temporary Absence” form available from your DSO.

·         If you leave the country without meeting the above requirements, your time away from the college will be considered unexcused absences and you will risk falling out of legal status.

·         Leaving the US during your enrollment is not reason alone to extend your I-20.  You must also be able to show a valid medical or academic reason for extension.

·         You are permitted to remain outside the U.S. for up to 5 months and still be able to return on your original I-20.  If you will be outside the U.S. for 5 or more months, you will need to obtain a new Initial Attendance I-20 before re-entering the U.S.

·         You will also need a valid F-1 visa to re-enter the US.  If your visa expires before re-entry, you should visit the U.S. Embassy during your trip home.

6.      VACATION

·         An authorized vacation is defined as time off from attending/studying while remaining in the U.S.

·         You will be eligible for up to 60 days of authorized vacation only if the following conditions are met:

1.       You have maintained your legal F-1 status.

2.       You have studied 2 consecutive semesters with Herzing.

3.       You have at least One month of enrollment remaining after vacation.

4.       Extensions of program are paid in full before taking vacation.

5.       Vacation must be completed no later than 90 days after the first day of vacation.

·         You must receive the DSO’s permission to take vacation at least 5 days before beginning vacation.  To request permission, you will need to submit to your DSO a completed “Request for Temporary Absence” form available from your DSO.

·         If you take vacation without the DSO’s permission, your time away from the college will be considered unexcused absences and you will risk falling out of legal status.

·         Taking a vacation during your enrollment is not a valid reason to extend your I-20.  You must show a valid medical or academic reason for extension.

7.      EXTENSIONS OF STUDY OR I-20

·         You will be eligible to apply for an extension or repeat of your course, as long as you have maintained your status and you have an I-20 that has not expired.

·         You must request your DSO approval of an extension of your I-20 and must be able to show a compelling reason or unusual circumstance that explains why you were unable to complete you studies in the time given on your original I-20.  To request permission, you will need to submit to you DSO a completed “Extension Request Form” available from you DSO.  I-20 extensions are not guaranteed.

·         You are required to submit your request for extension to the DSO thirty (30) days before your course end date.  Requests for extensions will not be accepted after your course or program end date on your I-20.

·         If approved for an extension, you may be asked to submit a new bank statement and/or pay additional tuition.

8.      CHANGE OF PROGRAM

·         You may be eligible to change your program/course during your enrollment with Herzing University.

·         You are required to submit your request for a Change in Program thirty (30) days before your course end date.  Changes to your program cannot be made after your course or program end date on your I-20.

·         To request permission, you will need to submit to your DSO a completed “Change of Program Request Form” available from your DSO.

·         Changes from the original program as issued on your I-20 are not guaranteed and require DSO approval.  To be approved, you must document a compelling reason for the Change in Program.

·         If the Change in Program is approved, you may be asked to submit additional application documents that are required for the course requested.  Such documents may include Proof of English Proficiency, Proof of Scholastic Preparation and an updated bank statement.

·         You will be able to start the new program unless the change in program is approved by the DSO.

9.      EMPLOYMENT/WORK

·         Foreign nationals are not permitted to work in the United States unless specifically authorized by USCIS.  Work authorization for F-1 students is limited to part-time on-campus and off-campus work.

·         You are permitted by the government to work part-time (less than 20 hours per week) at the Herzing University that issued you the I-20, as long as there is a position available and the DSO approves the employment.  In many cases, Herzing University will be unable to provide you employment given the limited positions that are available.

·         You may be eligible for off-campus employment if you can demonstrate financial hardship.  You must be in good F-1 standing for at least 2 consecutive semesters to quality for this employment.  Off-campus employment must be authorized by the U.S. government before you begin employment.  Speak to your DSO to confirm whether or not you are eligible for this type of employment.

·         As a Herzing University student, you are eligible for OPTIONAL Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT), please see DSO for information.  You must apply for OPT 90 days before completing of your program. Requests for OPT will not be accepted after your course or program end date on your I-20.  You can not apply once your program date has ended. 

·         Please note that if you transfer to Herzing before completing OPT/CPT at your current school, you will lose the remaining portion of work authorization once the transfer is complete and you receive your Herzing University I-20.  This is true even in cases where your EAD card remains valid.

10.  STUDENT CONDUCT

·         As part of Herzing University’s commitment to our students’ success, we seek to provide an optimal learning environment.  As such, we ask that all students, while studying at the college, conduct themselves in a manner considerate to those around them.  Those failing to meet student conduct standards may be subject to disciplinary action.  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
 

NEAR COMPLETION OF STUDIES WITH HERZING
                                                                                                                                                                  

1.      EARLY COMPLETION

·         If you complete your program/course earlier than the scheduled end date as listed on your I-20, you must notify your DSO no later than Ten (10) days after the completion date.  An example of early completion would be receiving a passing score on the preparation test for which you are studying earlier than expected.

·         If you qualify for an early completion, you will be in good standing and your 60-day grace period will begin from your new end date.

2.      TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER SCHOOL

·         If you want to transfer to another SEVIS approved Herzing campus or another school, you are responsible for seeking admission to the new school.

·         Herzing’s transfer policy requires that you study at your original Herzing University for at least one (1) semester before you are eligible to transfer to another academic institution or different Herzing University.

·         You must notify your DSO of your interest in transferring before completing studies with Herzing University.  However, you will be permitted 60 days following your last day of study with Herzing to complete the transfer process.  Notice must be given to the DSO by completing the “End of Program” form available from your DSO.  Additionally, you may need to provide your DSO with a transfer release form from the other school.

·         Failure to notify your Herzing DSO of your intent to transfer may result in your SEVIS record reflecting that you have completed study.  If this occurs, you will not be eligible for transfer.

3.      EARLY WITHDRAWAL

·         Withdrawal from your program will occur if you decide to end your enrollment before completing your academic goal or before you are eligible to transfer to another school.

·         You must notify your DSO of your intent to withdraw before you fail to attend or study.  Notice must be given to your DSO by completing the “End of Program” form available from your DSO.

·         If your withdrawal is authorized by your DSO, your I-20 will be terminated.  Given this, you will no longer be eligible to transfer or change your visa status.  Instead, you are required to leave the U.S. within 15 DAYS.

AFTER STUDYING WITH HERZING_COLLEGE

1.  60-DAY GRACE PERIOD

·         Upon successfully completing studies with Herzing University, your 60-day grace period begins.

·         This grace period is to be used to prepare for use of OPT (Optional Practical Training), departure, transfer to another school, or exchange your visa status.  As a Herzing University student, you are eligible for OPTIONAL Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT), please see DSO for information.  You must apply for OPT 90 days before completing of your program. Requests for OPT will not be accepted after your course or program end date on your I-20.  You can not apply once your program date has ended. 

·         The grace period cannot be used to decide if you want to extend studies or change your program.  As stated above, extensions and changes to program must be made before you complete your program.

·         You are not allowed to study during the 60-day grace period or while on OPT.