F-1/M-1 Student Resources

The following forms are for international students who currently attend Lansing Community College.

• F-1 Departure
• F-1 Program Request for Extension
• F-1 Transfer Out
• Request for Reduced Course Load
• Request for Signature for Travel

Students in F-1 status are required to enroll in a full-time course load during the fall and spring semester. At LCC, 12 credits is considered to be full time, with few exceptions. F-1 students are required to take in-person classes. Courses must count toward degree progress.

Summer is considered to be an official vacation and Summer semester enrollment is not required to maintain F-1 status.

International students are required to maintain accurate records of their current address, phone number, legal name, and major. Any changes to these should be reported to a LCC DSO at Global Student Services (GSS) within 10 days. GSS communicates with students primarily through their LCC email address.

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    Online Enrollment

    Online enrollment must be limited to one class per full-time course load during required semesters. If student in F-1 status enroll in "excessive online coursework" during a required term, this a violation of status and the student's SEVIS record will be terminated.

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    Reduced Course Load

    Taking less than a full-time course load is permitted in limited circumstances. Please note that reduced course load authorization is provided by a DSO upon review of the Request for Reduced Course Load form. In order to obtain authorization for a reduced course load, students should speak to a DSO either prior to the semester start or immediately upon encountering an issue. Students are required to maintain full-time enrollment until they receive authorization from an LCC DSO in GSS to drop below full-time.

    Students may be eligible for a reduced course load for the following reasons:

    • Final Semester of Study: When in the final semester of study before graduating with an associate's degree, students can register less than full-time if they require less than 12 credits to complete their program.
    • Medical Reasons: If F-1 students have a medical or mental health condition that prevents them from studying full-time, they can apply for a reduced course load. A U.S. doctor or licensed clinical psychologist must provide a recommendation for the student to study part-time or take the semester off. This benefit is available to F-1 students for up to 12 months per program of study.
    • Academic Difficulty: F-1 students can be authorized for a reduced course load for limited reasons relating to academic difficulty. If students feel they would like to explore these options, they should contact GSS.
    • Taking a Semester Off: If students plan to take a semester off, they must report to GSS if they plan to take a semester off. In order to preserve F-1 status, a DSO will instruct them on when to depart the US and will terminate their SEVIS record. In order to take a semester off, students should speak with a DSO, an academic advisor, and fill out the F-1 Departure form. Taking time off can have an impact on immigration benefits available to a student so it is important to consult with a DSO before departing.

F-1 students who undergo a change in academic program are required to have their SEVIS record updated to accurately reflect their current program of study. Students should indicate that they are an international student when filling out the change of program request available on the Registrar’s Office webpage. Changes of academic program should be discussed with an academic advisor and a DSO.

Students are advised to keep all immigration documents in a safe place. LCC is required by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to maintain updated records in secure student files. Please inform LCC regarding any renewed or updated immigration documents by emailing lcc-international@star.lcc.edu.

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    Passport

    Students should maintain a valid passport at least six months into the future. Report the loss or theft of a passport to the police and get a police report. To renew or replace a passport, students should contact their home country’s U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Students should report updates or renewals of their passport to GSS.

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    SEVIS Form I-20

    A Form I-20 is issued by the U.S. school a student attends. A Form I-20 is required to apply for an F-1 visa and to enter and re-enter the U.S. in valid F-1 status. All Form I-20s should be retained in students' records as they are official documents. Do not throw away past Form I-20s. To make any changes to a student’s SEVIS record or program of study, students must request a new Form I-20 before the program expiration date.

    Obtain a travel signature from an LCC DSO before departing the U.S., as students will be required to present it upon re-entry. If a student’s absence abroad exceeds more than 5 months, please contact GSS. For more information about travel signatures, please see the information regarding travel below.

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    F-1/M-1 Visa

    A visa is placed by a U.S. Consular official in a student’s passport. A student’s visa indicates that they are eligible to enter and/or re-enter the U.S. as an F-1/M-1 student. It does NOT determine their length of stay in the U.S. If a student’s visa expires while they are in the U.S., it is not necessary to renew it as long as they remain in the country and maintain their status. Visas can only be granted at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas.

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    I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

    Custom and Border Patrol (CBP) creates I-94 records when travelers cross the U.S. border. If arriving by land or sea, the I-94 can be a small white card stapled into a passport. If arriving by air, the I-94 will be a stamp in a passport and an electronic record is created, issued by an immigration official at the Port of Entry. Electronic records can be accessed on the I-94 webpage. The immigration official may write "F-1 D/S" or "M-1 D/S" on the I-94 card or stamp. D/S stands for "duration of status" and refers to the length of time a student is permitted to remain temporarily in the U.S. to pursue a full course of study.

    Students will receive a new stamp with a new admission number each time they enter the U.S.  Exceptions include brief visits (30 days or less) under certain circumstances to Canada, Mexico, and adjacent islands.

If a student wants to change their status while in the U.S., they (or in some cases their employer) must file a request with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the appropriate form before their authorized stay expires.

In general, they may apply to change their nonimmigrant status if they were lawfully admitted to the U.S in an eligible nonimmigrant status, their nonimmigrant status remains valid, they have not violated the conditions of their status, and they have not committed any crimes that would make them ineligible. Until they receive approval from USCIS, they should not assume the change of status has been approved and should not change their activity in the US.

USCIS recommends that they apply as soon as they determine that they need to change to a different nonimmigrant classification. If USCIS denies their application, they need to be prepared to leave the US when their current status expires.

In the event that USCIS processing times cause a delay in their program start date, a DSO must defer their start date until the next academic semester.

Employment is any type of work performed or service provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food or any other benefit. International students in F-1 status are eligible for on-campus employment and approved off-campus employment, known as "practical training".

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    On-Campus Employment

    F-1 students are permitted to work on-campus without DSO approval as long as the student:

    • Is maintaining lawful F-1 status
    • Works no more than 20 hours per week during the Fall and Spring semesters
    • Is maintaining good academic standing
    • Is not studying in the English Language Studies Program (ELSP)

    Please visit the Student Employment & Work-Study webpage for more information about on-campus employment opportunities at LCC.

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    Optional Practical Training

    What is Optional Practical Training?

    Optional practical training (OPT) is one type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. It allows students to get real-world work experience related to their field of study. Students must apply for OPT with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). If the OPT is approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The student must not begin working before the start date on the EAD.

    A student is eligible for OPT if:

    • They have been a full-time student for one academic year in an SEVP-certified school.

    • They are not studying English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
    • Their proposed employment relates to their program of study.
    • They have not used all optional practical training available at the associate’s level.

    Overview of OPT Process:

    • Student meets with GSS to begin the application process.
    • GSS issues Form I-20 with OPT recommendation.
    • Student files Form I-765 and required documentation by mail or online.
    • USCIS adjudicates Form I-765.
    • If approved, student gets EAD, notifies GSS, and begins work.

    Please note: LCC is not eligible to authorize STEM OPT.

    If interested in applying for OPT, please contact lcc-international@star.lcc.edu to schedule an appointment to discuss the application process in more detail.

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    Curricular Practical Training

    Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is one type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. It allows them to get real-world experience related to their program of study. To be authorized for CPT, students must:

    • Be enrolled in an internship or practicum course required for their program of study.
    • Find a job position approved by the instructor or faculty member overseeing the course or internship placements.
    • Provide GSS with the requested information regarding the internship.
    • Obtain a new Form I-20 with CPT authorization.

    Please note: Authorization is for one specific employer and for a specific period of time. CPT must be authorized before a student is permitted to begin work.

In order to re-enter the US after traveling outside of the country, students must have a travel signature on their Form I-20. This signature confirms that they are a full-time student maintaining lawful status. To obtain a travel signature, please complete the electronic request for signature for travel on our webpage and await further information from GSS. Requests can take 3-5 business days to process.

When re-entering the U.S. after traveling outside of the country, be prepared to show Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) the following:

• Form I-20 signed for travel within the last 12 months (travel endorsement on page 2 of the Form I-20).
• Passport valid 6 months into the future.
• Valid F-1/M-1 visa if applicable.
• Enrollment verification. This can be printed directly from myLCC.

Please Note:

• F-1 and M-1 students with expired U.S. visas who are traveling to Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands for up to 30 days, who will not be applying for a new U.S. visa while there, AND who will be resuming their studies upon their return should NOT surrender their I-94 card (if applicable).  Discuss this with GSS before traveling.
• Canadian or Mexican nationals returning to their home country should surrender their I-94 card as they enter their country, and obtain a new I-94 card when reentering the U.S.
• Canadian nationals should be sure to carry with them their financial documentation that verifies the information on their SEVIS Form I-20 when returning to the U.S.
• Absence from the U.S. for more than five months requires a new SEVIS Form I-20 and F-1 Visa for reentry. Be sure to notify GSS no less than 45 days prior to return to the U.S.

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    Traveling Within the U.S.

    • If planning a trip within the U.S., it is important for students to have their Form I-20, passport, visa, and Student ID card with them for all travel, even within Michigan.
    • If a student is applying for a change of non-immigrant status or has an immigration petition or EAD card application pending, they should be sure to carry their U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) receipt notice (Form I-797). This notice proves that they have an application pending with USCIS.

Lansing Community College offers a variety of awards and scholarships every year for qualified students. Whether you are working toward an associate degree or two-year transfer degree, LCC has a program designed for your success.

Awards and scholarships are resources that do not have to be paid back and are usually awarded for academic achievement or talent that may or may not be based on financial need.

Selection criteria and requirements vary according to the individual award or scholarship. Please visit the Financial Aid webpage for more information on how to apply.

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    Transfer-In

    Students transferring from one SEVP-certified school to another are required to request a transfer of their SEVIS record. Students transferring in to LCC are required to fill out the transfer-in request. An LCC Form I-20 will be provided after the request and all additional documentation is submitted to GSS. More information about required documentation can be found on the International Admissions webpage.

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    Transfer-Out

    Current LCC students transferring to other schools are required to submit a transfer-out request. Students will be asked to provide a copy of their admission letter from the new school, and may be asked for that institution’s "transfer-in" Form if applicable.

In the state of Michigan, the authority responsible for issuing driver’s licenses and vehicle authorization is called the Secretary of State's Office (SOS). Anyone who plans on owning or operating a vehicle in the state of Michigan should familiarize themselves with Michigan's policies and laws for safe driving.

Visit the SOS webpage to find information, including information about driver's licenses, car registration, titling, and State Identification cards. This is a checklist of the documentary requirements to apply for a license. Anyone who currently has an out of state or international driver's license should follow the documentary requirements.

According to "Senate Bill 0501", citizens of certain countries are permitted to drive in Michigan with an official translation of their driver's license. This document has information about who is permitted to use a translation of their foreign license and who is required to apply for a Michigan driver's license.

Please note that in Michigan, individuals are required to have legal status to apply for a driver's license or to be exempt under Senate Bill 0501. F-1 and M-1 students' eligibility for a driver's license is tied to their program dates, or the dates of their authorized status in the U.S.

The purpose of a Social Security Number (SSN) is to help the federal government track an individual's earnings in the U.S. for tax purposes. Once an individual is offered a job, they will need to apply for a SSN from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Eligibility for an SSN is based on the offer of paid employment, and regulations require individuals to provide a valid employment offer letter to apply for a SSN. They must apply for a SSN by appointment at the local Social Security office {5210 Perry Robinson Cir, Lansing, MI 48911 | (800) 772-1213}. A SSN cannot be requested over the phone and it can take several weeks for the card to arrive in the mail.

Social Security Numbers are NOT required for:

Banking: F visa holders do not need a Social Security number to open a bank account or for most other financial transactions. The bank may ask F visa holders to fill out Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN to prove that they are exempt from the requirement of providing a Social Security number.

Driver's License: The state of Michigan does not require individuals to have a Social Security number to apply for a driver's license.

Per the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), all international students who were inside the United States during the previous year must file a tax return.

Many people in the United States use software to assist them with filing taxes like how to complete the forms and determining their deductions. There is particular software that is designed for international students. These include, but are not limited to: 

• Sprintax: Software is specially designed for international students.  Assistance to complete a tax return is web based, including chat assistance. Your tax return will need to be printed and mailed to the IRS.  A fee is required.  Assists with both state and federal filing.
• Glacier: Software to complete the tax return, especially design for international students.  Your tax return will need to be printed and mailed to the IRS.  A fee is required.
• InternationalStudent.com has created an online IRS Form 8843 Wizard that pre-populates Form 8843 with your information. There are also various helpful resources on the website that could be very helpful in explaining how to file tax returns.

You may also find your own tax preparer.

Why should I file?

Filing a Form 8843 is a requirement of your visa, even if you are not earning income in the US.

Reminder: F-1 and M-1 students who are not employed are not eligible for Social Security Numbers.  For these students it is necessary to apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).  An ITIN is a 9-digit number issued by IRS to individuals who are required for U.S. federal tax purposes to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have and are not eligible to get a social security number (SSN).

An application for an ITIN cannot be submitted with the tax return, so it is best to apply early for the ITIN.  You can also use this application to renew an existing ITIN that is expiring or has already expired.

For the latest information, visit the IRS website .

The spouse and children under age 21 of an individual are called dependents. Individuals entering the U.S. on a student visa (F-1 or M-1) are eligible to apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to bring their dependents with them. The dependents can also apply later for an F-2 or M-2 visa travel to the U.S. to join the student. The student show that financial resources are available to support any dependents brought to the U.S. Dependents, according to DHS regulations, may not work under any circumstances.

Non-immigrant students in the U.S. may invite close relatives (other than their spouse or children) to the U.S. on a B-2 visitor's visa. They may write a letter of support for their relatives which includes their planned dates of travel, planned housing arrangements, reason for the visit, and acknowledgement that the relatives will return home at the end of the visit. They may also provide verification of their enrollment at LCC and a copy of their Form I-20 (page 1 and 2) to help support their application.

Graduating students may request a Commencement Letter inviting their relative(s) to the U.S. to attend the graduation ceremony. Commencement letters are only available for official LCC graduation ceremonies. Documentation that they are attending an LCC ceremony may be required to obtain a letter. Please send your request for a letter to the Registrar’s Office at registrar@star.lcc.edu.

IMPORTANT: The information listed above is only a general guide. Students are responsible for understanding official information on obtaining a visitor's visa and other consular services. The  Department of State's website is the best resource for this information.

Any F-1/M-1 student discontinuing their education at LCC due to completion of their academic program, leave of absence, or change of status should notify GSS first. See below for information about grace periods.

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    60 Days for F-1 Completion of Program

    If a student has completed their academic program or practical training, they are allotted 60 days to request to transfer their SEVIS record to another U.S. institution or prepare for departure from the U.S.

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    15 Days for F-1 Approved Withdrawal

    If a student has been granted authorized withdrawal for a leave of absence, medical leave, or military leave, their SEVIS record will be terminated for "authorized early withdrawal" and they are allotted 15 days to depart the U.S.

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    Immediate Departure for Suspension or Termination of Status

    If a student fails to maintain their F-1/M-1 immigration status, they are not eligible for a grace period and must request reinstatement of their F-1/M-1 status or depart the U.S. immediately. Please contact GSS for more information about regaining F-1 or M-1 status.