ESL Release
For students finishing English as a Second Language courses this March and May, there are a number of steps that need to be completed. Once your ESL Hold is released, please come to the ISSS office to set up an appointment to change your level of study. Once you have your appointment set up, make sure to bring your passport and a bank statement showing enough money for one year of study in your academic program, living costs, medical insurance, and books/supplies. With these documents we will then provide you with a new Form I-20 for your academic program.
You must get your new I-20 by the time your new academic classes start.
Amount to show for different academic levels:
- Undergraduate/Bachelor Programs: $36,354
- Graduate/Master's or PhD Programs: $34,514
To speak with an ISSS advisor:
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Immigration Tip of the Week: NS/SF
Did you know?
Attending class is the number one predictor of academic success. Similarly, maintaining full time status is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your F-1 or J-1 status.
As an international student, it is important to know that earning grades of
NF (never attended fail) or
SF (stopped attending fail) can result in loss of full-time status, as those grades do not bear credit. For example, if you are enrolled in 12 credit hours, but receive a NF or SF in one 3-credit hour course, your final credits earned at the end of the semester would be 9. Your SEVIS record will be terminated (F-1 status and I-20 or J-1 status and DS-2019) if you have dropped below full-time enrollment.
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services verifies credit completion for all students on F-1 and J-1 visas regularly. If you have obtained an NF or an SF in any class (check your Graduate Planning System or GPS in FlashLine), we advise you to discuss your situation with your professor or academic advisor and rectify the issue before the end of the semester.
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Join Us for Sign and Dine: Travel Signature Day
 Are you leaving the United States during your Spring Break? Come to our Sign & Dine event to get your travel signature, eat some snacks, and take some goofy pictures in preparation for your fun trip ahead! We will be in the VCH111 Conference Room next to the Office of Global Education from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on March 15. Once your I-20 or DS-2019 is signed, you are free to travel the world. Hope to see you there!
Don't forget! If your visa is expired or will expire during your travels, you will need to renew it before reentering the United States.
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A Unique Course Offering for Globally-Minded Students
This semester, the Office of International Programs and Education Abroad in the College of Arts and Sciences is offering a selective, undergraduate, 1 credit hour, experiential learning course, Leading in a Global Society: Breaking Cross-Cultural Boundaries. The objective of the course is to create projects that highlight the importance of inclusiveness in the Kent State University community that will be showcased at the end of the course in the form of an art gallery exhibition.
Students who are globally-minded and want to expand their cultural boundaries are invited to apply! If selected for this course, you only have to attend 3 meetings during the Spring 2018 semester with a 4th meeting time being optional. The deadline for registration is March 2.
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Find Back Issues of International Student News on Our New Archive Webpage
Have you deleted last week's issue of International Student News, then realized that there was an important article about immigration that you wanted to reread? Wish you could reference and article from Student Legal Services that appeared last fall. Want to check the times and dates of an upcoming event. Well, now you can! We've just launched a new archive web page where you can reference all of our recent ISN issues dating back to the beginning of Fall Semester 2017. The site includes a thumbnail image, a list of the contents and a link to each issue. We hope our international students find the site a useful and convenient link to important information, helpful article and entertaining student profiles. Enjoy!
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Spring 2018 Walk-In Advising Hours
International Student and Scholar Services
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Mondays
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1:30 to 4:00 pm
Last sign in at 3:45
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| Tuesdays |
9:00 to 11:30 am
Last sign in at 11:00 |
| Wednesdays |
9:00 to 11:30 am
Last sign in at 11:00 1:30 to 4:00 pm Last sign in at 3:45
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| Thursdays |
No Advising |
| Fridays |
9:00 to 11:30 am
Last sign in at 11:00 |
Contact Us:
Phone: 1-330-672-7980
Email: isss@kent.edu
Campus Location: Van Campen Hall
Address: 106 Van Campen Hall, 625 Loop Road, Kent, OH 44242-0001
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International Student News
February 28, 2018 | Number 7
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Come Along for a Trip of a Lifetime:
New York City
There is still time to join us for our spring break trip to New York City! Explore the "City that Never Sleeps" with friends and advisors from the Office of Global Education. Travel by motor coach, leaving Wednesday, March 28 and returning Saturday, March 31. The cost is $200 for students assessed the International Student Activity Fee ($540 for students not assessed the fee), and includes transportation, lodging, breakfast daily, and a 3-day Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour ticket.
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Attention International Students:
It's Time to File Your Income Taxes
 Federal law requires all international students to file an income tax return each year. Tax returns for 2017 are due April 17, 2018 for students who worked in 2017 or June 15, 2018 for students who did not have income in 2017 within the United States in 2017. The Kent State 2017 Tax Guide is now available with step-by-step instructions to help you determine your residency status as a non-resident alien or resident alien, and to guide you through the 2017 tax filing process.
The tax filing depends on your residency status for tax purposes. Students with F or J VISA's are considered non-resident aliens during their first five years in the United States. Please use the Tax Status Chart 1 to determine if you are automatically a non-resident alien. If you are not automatically a non-resident alien according to Tax Status Chart 1, then use Tax Status Chart 2 to determine your residency status.
Non-Resident Alien Filing
If you are a
non-resident alien for tax purposes, you will use the GLACIER software to file your taxes. GLACIER is the only software you can use. Please read and follow the
2017 Tax Guide carefully for steps to use the software.
Please Note: If you need assistance using the software, please email
support@online-tax.net. Because ISSS, the payroll office, the tax office, and VITA@Kent State are not tax advisors, they can only refer you to the
2017 Tax Guide
and the glacier support e-mail for assistance.
If you are a
resident alien for tax purposes (consult the two Tax Status Charts), please visit the
Kent State VITA webpage for more information on obtaining free tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteers.
Links to Helpful Resources
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Student Profile: Jonathan Nwankwo's Long Journey From Nigeria to Kent State
 When you are 6 feet 9 inches tall, "You should be playing basketball" is a phrase you hear fairly often.
Jonathan Nwankwo, 21, a power forward on Kent State University's men's basketball team, heard the phrase so often from so many people that it almost seemed like a sign from the universe.Pursuing a basketball dream, though, wasn't as simple as trying out for the high school team.
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March 9 | Latino Night
Kent Student Center Governance Chamber,
Second Floor | 5:00 pm
Kent State's SALSA (Spanish and Latino Student Association) is hosting a "Latino Night." Come enjoy fun, food, dance and song. Free and open to all.
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March 11 | Daylight Savings Begins
2:00 am
 In the early hours (2:00 am) of Sunday morning, March 11, you will need to set your clocks forward one hour as Daylight Savings Time begins for most of the United States. You may lose an hour of sleep, but you'll also enjoy and additional hour of daylight in the evening. Plus, it is a sign that Spring is just a few days away. Seriously, you won't have to wake up at 2:00 to set your clocks ahead - just remember to do so when you wake up at your normal time.
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March 15 | "Sign and Dine" Travel Signature Party
Room 111, Van Campen | 1:30-4:00 pm
If you plan to travel this Spring Break, then you'll want to join the staff of the Office of Global Education for our "Sign and Dine" Travel Signature Party on March 15. Get your travel signature while enjoying fun, refreshments, giveaways and prizes. It's a fast, fun way to get your travel signature. We'll see you there!
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March 15 | Speaker: Ravi Hutheesing
Cartwright Hall, University Auditorium | 6:30-7:30 pm
Global keynote speaker
Ravi Hutheesing
will speak about cultural competency. Hutheesing has worked to bridge generational and cultural divides through the empowerment and education of leaders. Hutheesing empowers audiences with cultural competency tools that foster world peace.
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March 15 | "World Relief" Non-Profit Spotlight Speaker Series
Room 201, Henderson Hall | 6:30-8:00 pm
 Numerous Kent State sponsoring entities invite your to join them to hear Kara Ulmer, Director of World Relief Akron,
discuss the work of the nonprofit organization, as well as the lives of the many refugees living the Greater Akron area.
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March 21 | Cultural Café, Finland and India
Kent Student Center Ballroom Balcony | 4:00 to 5:30 pm
Learn everything you ever wanted to know and then some about Finland and India as two international students host presentations about their native lands. In between the presentations, sample selected dishes of the two countries' cuisine.
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March 1-2 | Holi Festival (celebrated)
March 17 | St. Patrick's Day
March 20 | First Day of Spring
March 21 | Cultural Café: Finland and India
March 26 to April 1 | Spring Break
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