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When helping an international student who’s looking to apply to a US college or university, the first thing that a counselor must know is what the student’s status in the US is. Are they a visa holder, and if so, what type? Are they a permanent resident? Are they a citizen of a US territory? Or are they a refugee, asylum holder, or undocumented immigrant? The answer to these questions will determine what the student will need to do when applying to college and what restrictions they are bound by. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Danae Terhark, Gonzaga University's International Student Advisor, at terhark@gonzaga.edu.Frequently Asked Questions & Information for High School Counselors
1 . Who are F-1 students?^
F-1 students are attending a US high school on a student (not exchange visitor) visa. This is the most common visa category for international undergraduates.
2 . What do F-1 students need to know when applying to a US college or university?^
F-1 students will be asked to show proof of adequate funds before they can be admitted to a US college or university. Once they have been admitted, it is the high school’s job to transfer the student’s SEVIS record to the college or university so that the student can be issued a new I-20 (document showing student status) reflecting attendance at the new school. The SEVIS record should be transferred as soon as possible after the high school’s academic year ends. The college or university will typically provide the student with a transfer release form to sign that indicates they will attend that particular college and that they give their permission for the high school to transfer their record.
3 . Do F-1 students need to obtain a new F-1 student visa before attending college? The visa has the name of the high school on it and I am worried the student will be in trouble for not attending the school notated on their visa.^
The answer to this question is ‘it depends.’ A student can attend a school other than the one notated on their visa as long as they have a current passport and a current I-20 from the school they are attending.
4 . What are the regulations F-1 students need be aware of when enrolling in a college or university?^
F-1 students must be registered as full time students each term (except for summer) to keep their F-1 status. At most schools, full time enrollment for undergraduates is a minimum of 12 credit hours per term. F-1 students are permitted to work on campus only for up to 20 hours a week while school is in session.
5 . Who are F-2 students?^
6 . What do F-2 students need to know when applying to a US college or university?^
While F-2 students are permitted to attend high school under this visa category, F-2 visa holders are not allowed to attend full time postsecondary study or even part time study toward any sort of degree or certificate. For this reason, F-2 students who wish to attend a US college or university will need to apply for a change of visa status (most likely to a F-1 student visa). Students cannot begin postsecondary study until this change of visa status has been approved, so it is important to start this process as soon as possible in case of unforeseen delays. The international student office at the student’s future college or university should be able to aid the student in this process. Please note, however, that once the student has filed an application for a change of visa status, they cannot leave the country while that application is still pending. If they do, they will be considered to have ‘abandoned’ their application.
7 . Who are A, E, G, L, P, O, TD, or R students?^
Students with these types of visas are children of parents who have some sort of specialized employment visa (diplomat, religious worker, athlete, performer, etc.) Students with these visa types may study full time in the US without having to change visa status. However, if the parent or parents who are the primary visa holder return to the US before the student is finished with their course of study, the student will have to apply for a change of status in order to remain in the US.
8 . Who are J-1 students?^
J-1 students are attending a US high school through an exchange program, most likely sponsored by the US or a foreign government.
9 . What do J-1 students need to know about applying to a US college or university?^
J-1 students must keep in mind that their J-1 exchange student visa is valid for only the time in which they are participating in the exchange program (no more than one year). They can not continue on to US postsecondary study with this visa. Some J-1 students are subject to what’s known as 212(e), or the two year home residency requirement (it will most likely be notated on their visa). This does not mean that they must return home for two years before returning to study in the US. It does mean, however, that they cannot change to F-1 student status while in the US. They will have to depart the US when their J-1 exchange program is over, return to their home country, and apply for an F-1 visa there. (Most students will do this over their summer break). If a J-1 student is not subject to 212(e), they can apply for a change to F-1 student status while still in the US. The international student office at the student’s future college or university should be able to aid the student in this process, as well as help determine whether the student is bound by the 212(e) residency requirement.
10 . Who are B-2 students?^
B-2 students are in the US on a visitor visa. As such, they are generally not permitted to enroll in a college or university in this status. They will most likely need to return home and apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa and then return to begin their course of study.
11 . Who are M-2 students?^
M-2 students are the child of a parent or parents who are receiving vocational training in the US in M-1 status.
12 . What do M-2 students need to know when applying to a US college or university?^
Please see the section regarding F-2 students.
13 . Who are H-4 students?^
H-4 students are the dependent child of a parent or parents who are in the US under an H-1B employment visa.
14 . What do H-4 students need to know when applying to a US college or university?^
H-4 students are permitted to enroll in a college or university without changing their status. However, when the parent or parents in H-1B status either leave the US or have their H-1B visa expire, the H-4 student will have to apply for a change of status (most likely to F-1 status) in order to stay in the US as a student. Also, if an H-4 student wishes to stay in the US and study after they reach the age of 21, they will need to apply for a change of status.
15 . Who are permanent residents?^
Not surprisingly, permanent residents are students who have a permanent residency or “green” card. (These cards are not actually green).
16 . What do permanent residents need to know when applying to a US college or university?^
Permanent residents apply in virtually the same manner that a US citizen would. They *are* eligible to fill out a FAFSA for federal student aid, and 18 year old males must register with Selective Service to receive aid.
17 . Who are V students?^
V students are dependent children of US permanent residents who are awaiting approval of their own permanent residency petition.
18 . What do V students need to know when applying to a US college or university?^
V students are permitted to enroll in a college or university without changing their status. However, they will not be eligible to fill out a FAFSA until their permanent resident petition has been approved.
19 . Citizens of US territories (and citizens of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands):^
Students who are citizens of US territories or the Freely Associated States (Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands) are permitted to enroll in a US college or university in the same fashion as US citizens. They are also eligible to fill out a FAFSA for federal student aid.
20 . Students in refugee or asylum status:^
Students in refugee or asylum status are permitted to enroll in a US college or university without changing their status. They are also eligible to fill out a FAFSA for federal student aid.
21 . Students in undocumented immigrant status:^
Policies regarding undocumented immigrant students vary from institution to institution. Counselors or students should contact the particular college or university of interest for more information.