Newsletter

Happy 2024 Region V NAFSAns!

The NAFSA Region V Team has a lot planned for our Region in 2024, including our Bi-Regional Conference with Region IV in Schaumburg, Illinois October 30th to November 1st. Save the Dates!

One of the first things that the Team is doing this year is transitioning to an open Facebook page so that we will be able to directly communicate about international education issues, directly post position openings, directly post pictures from state/regional events, etc.

The Region’s new/re-instated open Facebook page is at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RegionVNAFSA/

If you have not already done so, please join the Region’s new Facebook page today and start a discussion with your fellow Region V NAFSAs.

If you have any questions, please contact the Region V Team at regionv.chairstream@gmail.com.

Bob White, Chair

Laure Bordas-Isner, Chair Elect

Ashton Troxel, Past Chair

Follow us on our new Facebook page and Instagram for more updates from Region V!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Offerings for Region V NAFSAns!

Lunch and Learns

Region V will be hosting regular virtual Lunch and Learns on a variety of topics of interest to our members. The first Lunch and Learn will be held in February. More details will be contained in our February Newsletter.

KC Office Hours

The leaders of the Region V Knowledge Communities (KC) will be holding "office hours" to make themselves available to Region V NAFSAns to answer questions or discuss issues being encountered by our members. More details will be contained in our upcoming newsletters.

If you would like Region V to provide/host additional offerings, please email the Region V Chairstream at regionv.chairstream@gmail.com.

News You Can Use from KC ISSS

USCIS Premium Processing Fee Increasing on Feb 26

The USCIS will be increasing the premium processing fee on February 26th. See additional details on the linked page below:

https://www.nafsa.org/regulatory-information/uscis-premium-processing-fee-hike-effective-february-26-2024

USCIS New Filing Fee Rule Sent to OMB for Approval Before Implementation

On January 8th, USCIS sent a final rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to implement a new filing fee schedule which may significantly increase filing fees for many applications. After OMB reviews and approves the new schedule, USCIS will then release it with a specific effective date. Additional information about the new fee schedule and its effective date will be contained in an upcoming newsletter.

USCIS Updates Policy Manual Regarding F and M Nonimmigrants

On December 20th, USCIS updated its Policy Manual regarding adjudication issues with F and M nonimmigrants, including USCIS’ role in the adjudication of EAD applications and change or reinstatement of status to F or M classifications, and dual intent issues for F and M nonimmigrants. Additional information about the guidance from USICS is available at the linked page below:

https://www.nafsa.org/regulatory-information/uscis-policy-manual-guidance-f-and-m-students

Lessons From Abroad - Chicago 2024 Conference

2024 Region V Advocacy Day Grant

Region V will be offering grants to six participants registered for Advocacy Day 2024! The grant will cover the cost of NAFSA member registration ($99). Please fill out the form by Friday, January 19th by 5:00PM CST to be considered for Region V's Advocacy Day Grant.

WAIE

February 22 - Virtual Roundtables. Topics TBD. Free to participate.

Summer 2024: In person event, details available in February.

IEI

March 7 & 8 @ Loyola University Chicago. 

Registration opens 12/13.

MAIE (website not updated)

March 13 - 15 in Midland @ the H Hotel.

Session Proposal Submission deadline extended to 1/19: 

Submission Form

Have an update from your MIG/SIG that you'd like us to include in our newsletter? We'd love to hear from you! Please use the form below to submit your content to Region V.

Our Facebook page is now open to the region! Follow us on Facebook and post your international education updates directly to our page. We'd love to hear from you!