International undergraduate and graduate students brought questions to International Student and Scholar Services, the Dean of Students, and the Graduate School. This Q&A session was moderated by CU Student Government and the Graduate and Professional Student Government.
12/03/2020 Q&A Panel for International Students:
Featuring ISSS, Dean of Students, and the Graduate School
Sponsored by CU Student Government and the Graduate and Professional Student Government
Answers to Questions Submitted & Not Addressed During Live Zoom Session – Posted 12/04/2020, Revised 12/11/2020
Are international students allowed to do internships? Do the internships need to be with CU Boulder or affiliated with CU, or could we look elsewhere?
International students on F-1 visas can do internships off campus with prior authorization from ISSS for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), or if approved by the federal government for pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). Detailed information about CPT and OPT are on the ISSS website. Also, please drop in for a Zoom advising session with an ISSS advisor to answer specific questions about CPT and OPT. There will be a CU Boulder CPT policy change effective after the end of spring semester. The new policy is being finalized and will be announced by the beginning of next semester. This new policy will ensure that CU Boulder continues to be in compliance with the Department of Homeland Security regulations as well as in line with the CPT policies of our peer institutions.
I'm traveling home soon, and I won't be back until the spring semester starts, as I plan to stay longer. If I opt for a remote class, would it be okay even if I’m outside the United States?
It may be best to discuss your specific situation with an ISSS advisor during our Zoom advising sessions. You can find the latest information about the Spring 2021 semester on our website. Assuming that the government’s guidance regarding maintaining one’s student visa during the pandemic remains the same for the spring semester, ISSS will be sending out an email directly to students inquiring where they intend to be studying from, inside or outside of the United States.
My TOEFL score expires soon, and I see that the TOEFL is not required for admission for Indian students. Do I need to have a valid TOFEL score while I attend my visa interview, which will be around June/July 2021? (My current scores are valid only up until December 2020).
Graduate student applicants from India do not need to provide a TOEFL. Therefore, it is irrelevant whether their scores will be expired. For more information, visit the English proficiency page on the Graduate School Admissions’ website.
From my experience with visiting scholars, they are not eligible to receive health services, such as COVID-19 tests, from the Wardenburg. This has caused them much trouble when they need to be tested prior to international traveling. Can you address that? Any effort from the ISSS to address this problem?
COVID-19 monitor testing is available at various locations on campus. Additional information about COVID-19 testing for students, faculty, and staff may be found on CU Boulder’s Protect The Herd website. Please also review Boulder County’s COVID-19 Testing Sites website and Colorado.Gov’s COVID-19 Testing Sites website for other COVID-19 testing options open to anyone.
How is the collective input of international students and scholars incorporated or considered in governance and decision making at the university? We face very particular concerns and limitations.
ISSS serves as an advocate with campus leadership on behalf of international students and scholars and understand their unique situations. International students and scholars should reach out to ISSS either via email or for a drop-in Zoom advising session to discuss any concerns that they may have or to provide feedback. Both CU Boulder’s Graduate and Professional Student Government and CUSG represent and advocate for all students and have active diversity and inclusivity initiatives. International students can work with and/or get involved with these student government groups to ensure that their voice is heard in university governance and decision making.
My department recently informed us that the students employed on hourly appointment will be paid for only 5 days once they leave the United States, whereas the students employed as TA/RA will be paid for their entire term even if they leave the United States. Why is there such a disparity even though both the groups have the same visa (F1/J1)?
Please email Gretchen O’Connell, senior assistant dean of the Graduate School with more details regarding your situation since this sounds like something that may be specific to your department and/or employment situation. Gretchen will be happy to look into your situation.
As an international spring 21 admit, can I do a CPT in summer 21? Also, if we want to do a co-op/ work off campus, when are we eligible?
If spring 2021 is your first semester at CU Boulder, you would not be eligible for off-campus employment benefits including Curricular Practical Training (CPT) until you have completed two full academic terms. In this case that would be fall 2021. After fall 2021, you would be eligible for CPT if you meet the other requirements for CPT authorization.
Can international students currently in the United States take (possibly remote) internships while the semester is ongoing?
Yes; if an international student on a F-1 visa has already completed two full academic terms, they may be eligible to participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) while school is in session, assuming that they meet the other requirements for CPT authorization.
Does CU Boulder plan any changes to its visa policies such as the types of visas they sponsor? The situation right now is very unstable, which is an obstacle for recruiting international grad students and research staff. Does CU Boulder plan to have a more proactive stance? As an example, currently H1B staff’s spouses do not have the right to work, which is a dealbreaker for most people. This is a problem for prospective hires, since it effectively bars CU Boulder from recruiting people from outside the United States, which is necessary to maintain our status as a world-class research institution.
ISSS ensures that the university complies with federal immigration rules and facilitates the sponsorship of visas. However, CU Boulder does not create United States immigration policy. ISSS works with campus leadership and the CU Federal Relations team to advocate for and/or against (as appropriate) changes in immigration policies in order to best support international students and scholars on campus. Unfortunately, not all dependent visa types allow for work authorization. For tenure-track and tenured international faculty hires, ISSS assists with sponsoring the faculty members for United States permanent residency, which will ultimately result in work authorization for their spouses in the United States. ISSS can explore with campus leadership and the CU Federal Relations team the possibility of advocating for the federal government to issue regulations allowing for employment authorization for all spouses of H-1B visa holders. Currently United States immigration law allows for, in limited circumstances, spouses of H-1B visa holders to obtain employment authorization.
As a new international student arriving at CU Boulder for the first time, does the university provide any transportation/shuttle service from Denver International Airport to the Boulder campus?
The university does not provide shuttle service from DIA to campus as there are several options for students, including a direct bus (RTD SkyRide AB/AB-1) which runs hourly. We recommend viewing arrival information on the New Student and Family Programs website for detailed information about the options available.
Also, when is the next pizza/movie night social event? These social hours have been very good especially with the holidays coming up and most of us unable to travel to be with our families.
We cannot determine pizza/nights or social activities given where we are with the COVID-19 dial. Currently, we are not allowed to host in-person events, which restricts this kind of programming. We are planning for next semester based on the dial and will likely consider these nights at that time.
ISSS is currently working on planning virtual social events for the months of December and January. At this time plans are not final, but we will market any upcoming events on our Facebook and Instagram pages as well as the ISSS website. ISSS will reach out to GPSG and CUSG with possible ideas and for assistance to promote the events.
I am a third-year PhD student. I got my F-1 visa for just one year although my program is at least four years long, as my I-20 says. The visa issuance times at the embassy in my country takes several months - unacceptable for keeping up my research here. I have thus not been able to see my family for more than a year. Is there any way of obtaining re-entry access within the United States so that I could go and see our family and then come back?
Unfortunately, United States visas may not be renewed from the United States This can only be accomplished by visiting a United States embassy or consulate abroad. Visas have different validity periods depending upon the end date of supporting immigration documents such as the Form I-20 and Form DS-2019, type of visa, and treaties that the United States has with the passport country. You may find more information on visa validity periods on the Department of State website.
For graduating students in spring 2021, when does our insurance finish? End of summer or at the time that when we graduate?
The coverage dates for health insurance purchased through the university are on the Student Health Insurance website. Please contact the student insurance team with any questions regarding student insurance.
Can international students continue to join the classes all hybrid/online/remote for spring 2021?
It may be best to discuss your specific situation with an ISSS advisor during our Zoom advising sessions. You can also find the latest information about the Spring 2021 semester on our website. Assuming that the government’s guidance regarding maintaining one’s student visa status during the pandemic remains the same for the spring semester, continuing students on F-1 visas who have maintained their status are able to maintain their visa status with all hybrid/online/ remote classes. Please see the FAQs on the ISSS website for more details.
Are there services dedicated to international students, such as CAPS or different groups?
All offices on campus are prepared to serve both international students and domestic students alike. Many units such as Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) have multicultural and multilingual staff to provide culturally competent clinical services, outreach programming, and training opportunities.
Are there tutoring services dedicated to us [international students]?
On the International Student Academic Success website under the Office of Undergraduate Education, you find a list of tutoring services available to all students including international students.
What jobs can we hold over the summer if we are on an AY teaching assistantship?
International students on F-1 and J-1 visas may be employed up to 40 hours a week during the summer if they have on-campus opportunities. If the teaching assistantship does not extend to the summer, no hours are counted against the 40 hour a week limit. Off-campus work requires prior authorization from ISSS and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. International students with questions about off-campus employment options can meet with an ISSS advisor during a Zoom advising session.
Are stipend-projects allowed (such as the Summer NEST grants)?
This is a complicated question. As previously stated, international students on F-1 and J-1 visas can work up to 40 hours per week during summer break. Depending upon how the stipend and/or fellowship is paid, the expectations of the grant or fellowship, nature of the program, etc., such stipend opportunities may or may not count against the 40-hour-per-week limit. For specific questions about stipend opportunities, please drop-in to a Zoom advising session with an ISSS advisor.
If I transfer from CU Boulder to a university in my home country, will my credits transfer over?
You should direct this specific question to the institution in your home country as each institution has its own rules about transfer credits.
I am supposed to graduate this year, and my family was going to come to graduation. Will graduation be virtual? We were planning on visiting other places in the United States; if graduation is virtual, should they still come to visit?
December graduates historically participate in the spring commencement ceremony if they choose to. Some departments are holding winter recognition ceremonies. You can find additional information on the Winter Conferral website. Information about spring commencement has not yet been released. The CDC website provides current information about travel both internationally and within the United States with COVID-19 related advisories based upon destination.
Students who are enrolled but attending classes and working remotely from home would like to know more information about deadlines to let ISSS know if and when they are going to be entering the United States, especially in terms of taxes and paychecks that could potentially change if a student is in the United States territory.
CU’s International Tax Office can answer questions about deduction of taxes to paychecks depending on one’s immigration status and location. If the government’s guidance regarding maintaining one’s student visa during the pandemic remains the same for the spring semester, ISSS will be sending an email directly to students inquiring where they intend to be studying from, inside or outside of the United States.
Also, incoming students are worried about their flights being cancelled, and they would like if ISSS has any type of advice in terms of being able to go home for the (or any) holidays and the possibility of them not being able to enter back to the United States.
ISSS understands that many students would like to travel home over the winter break. Students who are unsure if they should or should not travel can join an ISSS Zoom advising session with an ISSS advisor to discuss potential issues like visa expiration, travel restrictions, etc. We will post any new information on our website.
Do you suggest I travel home for the summer, or stay here?
ISSS is here to help our students navigate these questions. We encourage students with these questions to reach out to ISSS about your specific situation. Entry restrictions, rules about visa issuance at the consulates, visa appointment availability, etc. are changing constantly, especially during the pandemic.
What jobs can we hold over the summer if we are on an AY teaching assistantship?
International students on F-1 and J-1 visas may be employed up to 40 hours a week during the summer if they have on-campus opportunities. If the teaching assistantship does not extend to the summer, no hours are counted against the 40 hour a week limit. Work off campus requires prior authorization from ISSS and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. International students with questions about off campus employment options can meet with an ISSS advisor during a Zoom advising session.
How does CU Boulder plan to incorporate international students and scholars in the IDEA plan?
ISSS provided input for the IDEA plan to ensure that it encompassed international students and scholars. The IDEA plan includes the following priorities to support international students and scholars:
- Investigate strategies, given our restrictive environment, to provide additional resources to international students.
- As international student populations grow, provide additional resources for the Office of International Student and Scholar Services and other units and distributed individuals on campus who work directly with and on behalf of international students
- Expand the size and scope of CU LEAD Alliance programs, their services, and the support staff required to operate them, individually and collectively. Ensure that the campus strategic enrollment goals, including goals related to international students, and planning and academic unit enrollment goals align with these objectives.
- Expand resources for the following administrative units: Disability Services, Office of Information Technology, Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, Office of International Student and Scholar Services, Center for Inclusion and Social Change