International Students – Florida Memorial University

International Students – Florida Memorial University
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International Students
Florida Memorial University
Admissions
International Students
Florida Memorial University welcomes hundreds of students from around the world annually. Whatever your reason for applying or transferring to FMU, you’ll find lots of students like yourself on campus.
Florida Memorial University is the academic home to students from 35 countries across the globe. As an international student at FMU, you will have access to world class academic resources and a supportive campus community. Our international students play an integral role in contributing diversity in thought, opinion and experience within the academic and social setting. Our international recruiter and international student advisor advocate are an important part of the support system designed to help you succeed. Our local Miami Gardens area is very culturally diverse with access to beaches, local attractions and the South Florida culinary experience.
There are three categories of international students:
International First Time Freshman Students
International Transfer Students with
less than 24
college credits earned
International Transfer Students with
more than 24
college credits earned
What next?!
Submit the application for admission (select one of the free methods below)
Apply Now
Common Black College Application (CBCA)
OR
Apply with Common App
Submit Official High School Transcripts (First-Time Freshman Only)
Electronically:
fmuadmissions@fmuniv.edu
By mail:
Office of Admission
Florida Memorial University
15800 NW 42 Avenue
Miami Gardens, FL 33054
All transcripts/academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations.
To be considered “certified,” documents should be true copies that are signed and dated by an educational official familiar with academic records. Any translated record should be literal and not an interpretive translation. Documents signed by a notary or other public official with no educational affiliation will not be accepted.
If the transcript/academic record does not indicate the degree earned and date the degree was awarded, separate proof of degree is required.
Submit Official High School and College Transcripts (Transfer Students with LESS than 24 earned credits)
Electronically:
fmuadmissions@fmuniv.edu
By mail:
Office of Admission
Florida Memorial University
15800 NW 42 Avenue
Miami Gardens, FL 33054
All transcripts/academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations.
To be considered “certified,” documents should be true copies that are signed and dated by an educational official familiar with academic records. Any translated record should be literal and not an interpretive translation. Documents signed by a notary or other public official with no educational affiliation will not be accepted.
If the transcript/academic record does not indicate the degree earned and date the degree was awarded, separate proof of degree is required.
Applicants should submit official or certified copies of all secondary school records and/or examination results. All credentials from non-U.S. institutions must be evaluated by a foreign credential evaluation agency to include a U.S. equivalent grade point average. FMU recommends a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, (NACES). All academic records must be issued in the native language and be accompanied by a certified English translation.
Review more information regarding NACES members, fees, and services.
Submit Official High School and College Transcripts (Transfer Students with MORE than 24 earned credits)
Electronically:
Admissions@fmuniv.edu
By mail:
Office of Admission
Florida Memorial University
15800 NW 42 Avenue
Miami Gardens, FL 33054
All transcripts/academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations.
To be considered “certified,” documents should be true copies that are signed and dated by an educational official familiar with academic records. Any translated record should be literal and not an interpretive translation. Documents signed by a notary or other public official with no educational affiliation will not be accepted.
If the transcript/academic record does not indicate the degree earned and date the degree was awarded, separate proof of degree is required.
Applicants should submit official or certified copies of all secondary school records and/or examination results. All credentials from non-U.S. institutions must be evaluated by a foreign credential evaluation agency to include a U.S. equivalent grade point average. FMU recommends a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). All academic records must be issued in the native language and be accompanied by a certified English translation.
Review more information regarding NACES members, fees, and services.
Language proficiency for students with a first language other than English
Official English Language Proficiency results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. The following are the minimum scores required for admission to the University, although some departments require higher scores at the graduate level:
Internet-based TOEFL (IBTOEFL):
80
Paper-based TOEFL (TOEFL):
550
International English Language Testing System (Academic IELTS):
6.5
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB):
77
Pearson test of English (PTE):
55
Duolingo: Undergraduate:
105
Duolingo: Graduate:
110
These scores are considered official only when they are sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing agency, and are not valid after two years.
Finances
Florida Memorial University is required by U.S. federal regulations to verify the financial resources of each applicant prior to issuing the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019). If granted admission to the University, an email with instructions on how to complete the online Declaration of Finances form will be sent from the Office of Admission. You will provide information verifying your financial support (bank statements, award letters, scholarships, etc.). FMU requires proof of financial support for each year of study and demonstrated availability of funds for the length of your academic program.
U.S. federal grants and loans are not awarded to international students. However, student may be eligible for institutional scholarships. Funding is limited and qualified applicants must apply by the priority deadline of December 1
st
of each academic year to be eligible for awarding.
Programs
Curricular Practical Training
What is Curricular Practical Training?
CPT is a type of practical training authorization that allows qualified F-1 students to gain practical experience in their field of study while making progress towards the completion of their academic program.
CPT is a practical training that is performed for academic credit (part of the school curriculum and commensurate to degree level) AND that is required as part of the academic plan or program curriculum from ALL students in the program.
This includes:
Required internship, practicum, student teaching or field experience (paid or unpaid)
Optional internships for credit (MUST be in student’s major or program of study)
Cooperative (Co-op) education programs for credit (MUST be in student’s major or program of study
Eligibility
currently be in valid F-1 status
have completed two semesters of full-time enrollment prior to CPT request
be registered for a course that requires an internship component
CPT dates are the same as course dates (student cannot start CPT/Internship before the start date of the course, or end CPT/Internship after the end date of the course). NO EXCEPTIONS
VERY IMPORTANT:
Internships without authorization and without any linkage to a course that carries credit are considered a violation of your F-1 status and your I-20 might be terminated due to unauthorized employment even if the internship is unpaid.
Other considerations regarding CPT:
CPT is restricted to locations in south Florida because USCIS requires physical presence at FMU during the fall and spring semesters
Summer internships may be in other geographical locations in the US
A violation of these rules may lead to the termination of your immigration status.
Apply for CPT
Meet with DSO to get the approval for CPT
Receive a new I-20 (with CPT noted)
Get a
Social Security Number
(if you do not have one) Use this .
If you already have a SSN, then you will only need an Employment Letter. See this
You can ONLY start your CPT/Internship ONCE you have been approved by the DSO and you have a SSN.
Optional Practical Training
What is Optional Practical Training?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a period during which undergraduate and graduate students with F-1 status are permitted by the USCIS to work towards getting practical training to complement their field of studies once they have completed their program of studies.
“Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.” (from USCIS)
To learn more about OPT, you can visit the OPT information section on the
USCIS Website
UPDATES ON OPT REQUEST SUBMISSION- NOW ONLINE!
On 4/12/2021, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) can now file their form I-765 online if filling under the pre-completion, post-completion and the STEM extension categories. FMU International Affairs provides all the instructions and steps below. Please follow all the steps carefully- this submission is your responsibility and any mistake or omission on your part may cause your process to be denied.
Please be aware that International Affariswill provide courtesy advise once you have received the endorsed I-20 which we will provide.
Learn About New USCIS Flexibilities for Some OPT Applicants
Eligibility
Students are allowed to apply in their last semester of study 90 DAYS prior to the end of their last semester in their program and up to 60 DAYS after completing their program.
In order to be eligible for OPT, F-1 students must:
currently be in valid F-1 status
have applied for graduation prior to Post-Completion OPT request.
be physically present in the United States at the time of application
have completed two semesters of full-time enrollment to be able to apply for  Pre or Post-Completion OPT
This is a time line that shows all the steps within the OPT process, from application to completion.  These steps are crucial for a successful and uneventful OPT experience! PLEASE take them into account ALWAYS!
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT apply online for OPT with USCIS until you have received the Form I-20 with the DSO recommendation. Filing without endorsed I-20 may get your application denied.
USCIS is the agency that will be processing your application and it is your responsibility to comply with all application requirements.
Step 1- PREPARE YOUR DOCUMENTS
90 days before your last day of class
1-Apply for Graduation
Please visit the University Registrar to apply for graduation. It is your responsibility to monitor your progress toward graduation and ensure you will graduate this semester.  If this requirement has not been met, your new OPT I-20 will not be processed.
If you suspect that you may not graduate, you MUST contact the DSO immediately and take action to request an extension of stay before program end date.
Step 2- SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST TO the DSO FOR ENDORSED I-20
Request your OPT-endorsed I-20:
Submit your documents to the Designated School Official.
Step 3-APPLY ONLINE WITH UCSIS
VERY IMPORTANT: Instructions on how to submit Form I-765 online:
All FMU students will submit this application ONLINE. To file online you will need to
set up a USCIS online account
. Please visit the following USCIS website to set up your account:
As you move through the application you will be prompted with the documents required to apply. Please have the following documents ready to upload:
Most Recent I-94:
I-94 showing F/1 status
Passport photo page (must be valid for at least 6 months)
Special Exceptions only apply to
Venezuelan citizens
F-1 Visa stamp page- (visa may be expired)
OPT-endorsed Form I-20
Any prior I-20s that have CPT (if applicable)
Any prior OPT EAD card (if applicable)
Color photos
– Specific instructions will be provided within the online application. Photos are accepted in .jpeg, .jpg or .png format. We recommend using the Photo Tool on that website to check your photo meets requirements.
VERY IMPORTANT: For detailed instructions on how to submit Form I-765 online, please visit:
USCIS Online Filing Webinar: Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, for F-1 Students Seeking OPT
The following guidelines relate to the most confusing parts of the form and are offered
as a courtesy
only
Please consult an immigration attorney if you are unsure about any aspects of the USCIS online application.
Click on “File a Form Online” and then select “Application for Employment Authorization (I-765)”.
Filing Codes:
(C)(3)(A) Student
Pre-Completion OPT
eligibility category
(C)(3)(B) Student
Post-Completion OPT
eligibility category [use this code if you are applying for the 12-month work authorization after graduation]
Select “Initial permission to accept employment” Unless you have done post OPT before – If you did OPT under a lower degree – select “renewal…”
Name: please enter your name as listed in your passport
Mailing address: your EAD card will be delivered via postal mail. It is important to use a mailing address that will be reliable for the next four months.
If it is a friend’s address, then make sure to add their name to the “In care of name” field of the form.
If your mailing address changes before your OPT is approved, then you must inform USCIS directly otherwise you may not receive your EAD card.
Physical address: enter the address where you are currently living, if it is different from your mailing address. It is OK if this changes when your OPT application is pending.
Travel document: if you have a passport then it is unlikely that you will have a travel document
A-number: If you have done OPT before, then type the A-number (USCIS number) from your OPT EAD card
Social Security Number (SSN): please enter your SSN if you have one already.
If you
do not
have a SSN then you can apply for one as part of this I-765 online application. The card should arrive 2-3 weeks after your OPT is approved.
Employment Authorization Document or Government ID upload: we recommend you upload the biographical page of your passport, and your visa stamp (if applicable) into this section
I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status upload: upload your OPT-endorsed I-20.
Make sure you have signed the I-20 – in ink – in the student certification section. Please note: Student signatures on an I-20 that are electronic (typed or other digital formats) are not accepted by USCIS.
Upon receiving the OPT endorsed I-20, student must submit application immediately. USCIS must receive application less than 30 days after DSO OPT recommendation.
The OPT online application must be submitted to USCIS within 30 days of the DSO signature date on the I-20. If filed with USCIS after 30 days of the OPT I-20 issuance date, your application will be denied.
IMPORTANT:
Contact International Affairs if you for questions or concerns about 30 day rule
Additional information:
in most cases no additional information is needed in this field
Review any alerts or warnings and double check all data before moving to the application fee payment.
Once your fee has been paid you will not be able to return to edit the form.
The application fee can be paid by credit or with debit card.
You should receive an electronic receipt notice by email shortly after you have successfully submitted the form and paid the fee. A paper receipt notice should follow in the mail within a few weeks. If you do not receive the paper notice in the mail, then you should follow up with USCIS. Non-delivery of your receipt notice is an indication that there may be a mail issue that could later affect your EAD delivery.
Step 4-Additional OPT Information
While on post-completion optional practical training (OPT), you will continue to be in F-1 status.
Step 5- OPT REPORTING Information
When you get a job
Update SEVP Portal (your responsibility!) Additional information about how to report student employer information is available on
Study in the States
in both the
SEVIS Help Hub
and
SEVP Portal Help
section
Notify the
Receive a new I-20 once request gets approved
If you change jobs:
Update SEVP Portal (your responsibility!)
Notify the DSO ,
complete the Post Completion OPT Validation reform,
and submit the related document.
Receive a new I-20 once request gets approved
Very important!
Non-immigrant students must remember to report employer information related to Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Without this information, students could be viewed as having failed to obtain employment and potentially be considered out of status for exceeding permissible periods of unemployment while participating in OPT.
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