ISP MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

The Official Newsletter of SRJC’s International Student Program

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Thank you to everyone who attended ISP Welcome Day. This semester we welcome 102 students from 31 countries! We are honored that each of you chose to pursue your academic goals at SRJC. More photos here.

ISP Orientation Reminder:

New Students must complete the ISP Online Orientation in Canvas as soon as possible. The deadline was January 11, but late assignments are still accepted.

Weekly Club Meetings

Thursdays, 12-1pm in Plover 526

Join the International Club to meet people, share cultures, and support each other! Sign up here or come to the next meeting and check it out.

Pictured left to right: Ali (Treasurer), Maricel (President), Joaquin (Secretary), Alejandra (VP).

Spring 2026 Doyle Scholarship

Apply by March 2nd

The Foundation Scholarship Application is now open on AwardSpring! All students who apply will receive a Doyle Scholarship and may be eligible for additional scholarships. Watch this video for a brief tutorial.

Financial Aid Fun Fair

Wednesday, February 11

Join us in Plover Hall from 11am-2pm for our annual Open House! Enjoy free food, a photo booth, and department tabling.

You may be eligible for a tax refund

Submit your forms by April 14

All F-1 students who were physically present in the U.S. in 2025 must submit an IRS Form 8843. Also, if you earned any income last year, you likely must file a Form 1040NR and CA 540NR tax return using your employer's W-2.

More information about taxes is available on the ISP website. Please email ralvarez@santarosa.edu if you have any questions.

ISP Priority Drop-In Hours:

Tuesdays/Thursdays, 9am-2pm

If you need help choosing classes, changing your major, transferring, or anything else related to academics, you can see Amanda Mansfield in Counseling (Bertolini 2nd Floor) during her ISP Drop-In Hours.

You can also request an appointment by submitting this form. (Note that Chris Grant is on sabbatical in Spring 2026.)

Full-time Enrollment

• You must enroll in at least 12 units during the fall and spring semesters.
• At least 9 of the 12 units must be in-person.
• You may register for one online class on your own.
• Any additional online classes must be added by ISP. Email the section number to ralvarez@santarosa.edu.
• Hybrid classes do not count as fully online classes.
• Enrollment during the summer session is optional.
• A Reduced Course Load (RCL) may be allowed in limited circumstances and must be approved in advance.

⚠️Dropping below full-time without prior authorization on your Form I-20 will result in SEVIS termination and loss of F-1 status.

Employment

F-1 students may work in the U.S. only with proper authorization through:

• On-campus employment
• CPT, OPT, or Economic Hardship authorization
• To work on campus, you must first submit an Eligibility Application through Career Hub, then apply for jobs on Handshake.
• Jobs with the Bookstore, Pacific Dining, and Polly Hall are managed by outside companies and require in-person applications.
• After receiving a job offer, contact ISP to apply for your Social Security Number (SSN) before beginning work.
• Off-campus employment is available only after one academic year in F-1 status and requires prior approval.

⚠️Working without authorization (including paid social media, rideshare driving, childcare, salon services, or “under the table” work) can result in termination of your F-1 status.

A new student portal, the Bear Cub Hub, is coming to SRJC in Spring 2026 and will require access to your SRJC Bear Cub Gmail account.

You will receive your new SRJC Student ID Number in your Bear Cub email, and beginning in January 2026, all official SRJC communication will be sent only to your @bearcubs.santarosa.edu email.

Learn more