This document describes important information for international applicants.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations require that Lake Land College obtain reliable documentation that an F-1 applicant has sufficient funds to adequately pay all expenses while studying. Lake Land may issue a form I-20 only after evaluating and authenticating proof of financial capability. Students must prove that they have $18,500 of available funds, either personally or through a sponsor, in order to attend at least one year of school and that there is a likelihood that the finances will exist for subsequent years.
All students who are currently on an F-1 Visa and wish to transfer to Lake Land College must have this form completed by the institution they are currently attending or last attended. This form is required before we can process an applicant’s transfer.
If you plan to transfer from Lake Land to another U.S. school, you must complete this form to notify the International Office of your intent to transfer. Your transfer school will not be able to issue you a new I-20 until the transfer release date.
The end date on a student’s I-20 form is determined by the college’s estimate of the amount of time an average student needs to complete the program. According to USCIS Federal Regulations, students who are studying in the U.S. in F-1 visa status may only extend their program prior to the end date of their I-20. Furthermore, the delay in completion of studies must be shown to be “caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, such as changes of major or documented illnesses.”
Every semester you must complete a certain minimum number of credits to be considered a full-time student for immigration purposes. For undergraduates, this means that you must register for and successfully complete 12 credits each in fall and spring semesters. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows the Designated School Official (DSO) to make exceptions to the full-time requirement in three types of situations only. These include illness or other medical condition, academic difficulties as defined by USCIS, and needs for graduation.
OPT is temporary employment authorization allowing F-1 students the opportunity to gain practical experience in their field of study. OPT is most often awarded upon completion of an associate’s degree, for a 12-month period. However, OPT may be requested on a pre-completion basis.
Temporary employment for curricular practical training may be authorized under certain circumstances. Such employment must not only be related to your field of study, but must also be a required or integral part of your studies.
To be completed by members of the Lake Land College district community who are committed to beginning a cross-cultural friendship with a Lake Land College international student. Coordinated by the International Studies Program, the Global Friends Program strives to provide international students new to our area with a friendly familial contact to begin their experience in America. It is not a host/live-in program.
International Buddy is a program sponsored by the International Studies Program and is open to any current Lake Land student interested in learning about culture and communication between cultures. Under the International Buddy Program, Lake Land College American and International students are paired together and meet once a week (or twice a month) for at least one hour for the duration of the semester. These meetings could be as easy as having lunch at Subway together, meeting for coffee, or even taking your international partner to experience something local in our area.
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Lake Land College is committed to developing and maintaining an environment for students, employees and college community that embraces and actively supports diversity, equity and inclusion. We aspire to be an institution where the quality of education and work environment are enhanced and enriched by an inclusive campus community that encourages multiple perspectives and the free exchange of ideas.
Equal Opportunity Notice of Non-Discrimination
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION Lake Land College is committed to maintaining a working and learning environment that promotes equal opportunity, that is free from discrimination and harassment and that prohibits sex discrimination under Title IX, in any education program or activity, including in admission and employment. Individuals may report questions or concerns to the Office of the Director of Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator 217-234-5210. See Board Policy 11.01 for the College's complete Equal Opportunity Notice of Non-Discrimination.
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