September 2025 Newsletter

International Students & Scholar Services

OPT Workshops

If Fall 2025 is your final semester enrolled in required coursework, you can begin applying for OPT on September 16, 2025.


To prepare you for the OPT application process, the ISSS Team will be hosting workshops throughout the semester. Please keep an eye on the ISSS Events website for these dates!


To participate in our workshops, you must first complete the Online OPT Application Training and submit the Acknowledgement of Training at the end of the module!

After you complete the online training, our office will contact you with the details of the workshops.

Keep Your Contact Information Updated

All F-1 and J-1 students are required to report and maintain a local U.S. address and phone number with the Department of Homeland Security within 10 days of initial arrival and within 10 days of any change. This address must be your local U.S. residential address with room number (if you live in a residence hall) or apartment number (if you live in an apartment). Campus departmental addresses, P.O. boxes and foreign addresses are not acceptable addresses for immigration purposes.


Continuing students must report or update their mailing and billing address and phone number through CougarNet. New Students (Fall 2025 arrival) should report their address on the Check-In Form, if not done already. Refer to the Updating Your Contact Information example or visit the Service Center in Rendleman Hall to update your contact information in person.


NOTE: Campus departmental addresses, P.O. boxes, and foreign addresses are NOT acceptable for immigration purposes. (Failure to report address changes is a violation of your immigration status).


See the examples below for help on how to enter your U.S. physical mailing and billing address in CougarNet:

 

Cougar Village Apartment example:

Address Line 1: Building 24 Cougar Village Apt. 3C

City: Edwardsville

State: IL

Zip or postal code: 62025

 

Woodland Hall example:

Address Line 1 : 1 Residence Drive

Address Line: Woodland Hall Stop #2

City, State, and Zip code: Edwardsville, IL 62025

 

Enclave Apartment example:

Address Line #1: 1035 Enclave Boulevard Apt 302 B

City, State, and Zip code: Edwardsville, Illinois 62025

 

Phone numbers: enter 3 digits for the area code, then enter the next 7 numbers for the phone number.

 

See example below:

Area Code: enter 618

Phone Number: enter 6502900 (no dashes or spaces)

Submit an Application to Graduate

Are you completing your degree this Fall semester? Students who will be completing their academic program in December 2025 and planning to attend Fall 2025 Commencement need to submit an application by October 1st, 2025.


Questions? More details are available at the Office of the Registrar website. You can also call the graduation staff by phone at 618-650-2263 or 618-650-2282, or by email at graduation@siue.edu.

Inviting Family?

Please be advised that a letter of invitation is not required to apply for a nonimmigrant tourist visa per the U.S. Department of State U.S. Consular Affairs if you plan to invite your family to your graduation. Therefore, the Office of International Affairs and the Registrar no longer provide invitation letters for graduating international students. Students can provide a copy of their most recent I-20 or DS-2019 and a copy of their unofficial transcript, which can be obtained from CougarNet in lieu of a letter an invitation letter. Visit our website for more information.

New International Student Success Series (NISSS)

ISSS Events

Curious to know what ISSS is planning this semester? Make sure to check out our events page and keep an eye out on your SIUE email address for fun and exciting opportunities to volunteer or get involved with ISSS this semester.


Some events planned for this semester include:

  • Water Balloon fight (with IEP)
  • St. Louis City SC game
  • Pumpkin Carving on the Quad
  • St. Louis Blues game


You can find future events listed on our Events website; it's constantly being updated, so check often!

Beware of Scams

Beware of scammers impersonating DHS or government officials


Each year, DHS receives hundreds of reports of scammers impersonating DHS employees to

defraud the public. Impersonators spoof actual DHS phone numbers and create email addresses

that resemble DHS emails to appear legitimate. Some even send pictures of real or doctored law

enforcement credentials. Impersonators try to convince victims to provide personally

identifying information, passwords, credit card or bank numbers, or make payments using

money transfer services or unconventional methods. For more information, CLICK HERE.


Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this scam is urged to call the DHS OIG Hotline (1-800-323-8603) or file a complaint online via the DHS OIG website at https://www.oig.dhs.gov/hotline. Internet crime victims can file a complaint with the FBI at www.ic3.gov and with the Federal Trade Commission. 

Are you receiving Scam calls and/or emails about job offers?



Follow the steps below to protect your personal information and the SIUE community if you receive any unsolicited emails from scammers:

  • Forward any suspicious job offer emails to phishing@siue.edu
  • Never share your personal information, such as your Social Security Number (SSN), address, and Date of Birth (DoB), with anyone on the phone or through email.
  • Contact ITS if you believe your personal information has been compromised.


Here is some additional information on how to avoid scammers. Always remember that U.S. government entities will not call you to ask for any form of payment of any kind.

The Office of International Affairs is hosting the International Student Success Series Coffee Hour, a workshop series for international students (new and continuing) throughout the fall semester starting September 2!


Location: Peck Hall, Room 2311 - Foreign Language Lab

Time:

  • Tuesdays: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM


CougarCare Groups and Workshops

Homecoming

Resources

International Hospitality Program


The International Hospitality Program is happy to assist international students with obtaining household goods and furniture items. To make a request, please fill out THIS FORM. Requesting an item does not guarantee that IHP has it or that you will receive all of the requested items.

 

You can find out more about the organization on our website.

Students enjoying the apple picking event at Liberty Apple Orchard, hosted by IHP!

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

SIUE offers more than 450 undergraduate and graduate awards provided by generous donors, professional organizations and University partners.

Cougar Cupboard

The Cougar Cupboard is a non-profit food pantry located at SIUE serving students, faculty, and staff members. This is a need-based service.



Students must register for an individual appointment – EVEN if you see few or no reservations. This ensures staff knows you are coming. Sign-ups are available on the Cougar Cupboard webpage.

  

Questions? Email the Cougar Cupboard at cougarcupboard@siue.edu. Follow the Cougar Cupboard on Facebook and Instagram for updates! 

Career Development Center

The Career Development Center (CDC) helps students acquire information and skills necessary to transition from university life to the real world of work. Whether you have a clear idea of where your career is headed or no idea whatsoever, the CDC has something to offer you. Feel free to contact their office at (618) 650‑3708 with questions or to schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor.

Learning Support Services

Learning Support Services (LSS) is an instructional support unit for all students at SIUE. Learning Support Services is home to the Tutoring Resource CenterWriting Center, and Supplemental Instruction. The center is dedicated to helping SIUE students prepare and excel in the classroom. You can make an appointment with the Learning Support service by calling (618) 650‑3717 or email learningsupportservices@siue.edu.

Office of International Affairs

International Student and Scholar Services

Student Success Center 0300 (lower level)

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL 62026-1616

(618) 650-3785

siue.edu/isss

isss@siue.edu


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