You cannot file the 2024-2025 FAFSA until after January 1, 2024, using 2022 tax return information at www.studentaid.gov. FAFSA will NOT be available on October 1, 2023.
Lindsey Wilson College
ISA HUB

Immigration Information for LWC International Students

The guides and checklists on this page will help you learn about important immigration processes and help you gather documents needed to apply for certain benefits. As always, please do not hesitate to contact us at iss@lindsey.edu if you need assistance at any time.

Please see additional free resources:

    SEVIS Form I-20 (3 rd page)
    Guide to study in the United States
    https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/guide-to-studying-in-the-states

    International Student Handbook https://www.lindsey.edu/campus-life/img/International-Student-Handbook.pdf

    Reporting Changes in Contact Information
    By U.S. immigration law, you must always notify us of any change of address, phone number, or email address within 10 days of the change. You must report your changes via CHANGE REQUEST FORM:
    Student Information Update Form

    This information is reported to the US government. Both the US government and our office staff must always be able to contact you. Make sure you activate the voicemail features on your phone and check your ISS email. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Most communications are sent via email. You are responsible for checking your ISS email. It is recommended that you check your email at least a few times a week.

    F-1 Student Check-In
    Required of all students in F-1 student status at the beginning of every semester while studying at LWC. This is necessary to activate your SEVIS Form I-20. If your record is not activated, it will close, and you will have to leave the U.S. You must complete the STUDENT CHECK-IN form (Click below and complete) so we can update your SEVIS Form I-20 in a timely manner. IF this is your last semester, are you planning on applying for Post Graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT)? (If yes, please find the according form on our ISA hub)
    F-1 Student Check-In

    Drivers License
    To apply for a Driver's license must click and complete form below
    Driver's License Form

    Social Security Number
    To apply for a Social Security Number, please click and complete form below
    International Student Employment Verification Form

    International Student Dependents Form
    The spouse or unmarried minor children of an F1 visa student can be admitted in F2 status to accompany the student to the United States or follow to join the student later. To request a SEVIS FORM I-20 Form for your spouse/child, fill out the following form and attach the required documents:
    International Student Dependents Form

    Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
    Some F-1 visa holders are eligible for practical training. Training must relate directly to the student's major area of study and must be an integral part of the school's established curriculum. Eligible students must request CPT authorization before engaging in academic training. Students must be without account holds and pre registered in the Internship class pertaining to the applied practical learning opportunity. Under no circumstance may CPT be authorized beyond the program end date listed on a student's I-20. Please click and complete the form below.
    CPT Form

    Check CPT application status
    To get an overview of where your CPT application is in the process, please click on the link below. If you see your submission, but no follow up from the prospective employer, please contact the employer, advise them to check SPAM and TRASH folders. If you see your application is pending approval from Academic Advisor, please send an inquiry to academicadvising@Lindsey.edu. It will take between 3 - 5 Business days from the date the Academic Advisor has reviewed your application before ISS will issue your SEVIS Form I-20 with your CPT approval unless there are errors. In this case, ISS will contact you. Please refrain from contacting ISS before the established 5 business -day timeline as this will delay the processing of your application. To check your CPT application status please click and add your LWC student ID #.
    Check CPT application status

    Optional Practical Training (OPT)
    Students eligible to apply for OPT must click on the form below, reviewing instructions and complete request. NOTE: OPT and STEM OPT applications will be processed on Tuesdays and Thursdays ONLY!
    OPT Form
    After your OPT approval, you will need to Create an SEVP Portal Account. Please click and review insturctions in link below
    CREATE AN SEVP PORTAL ACCOUNT INSTRUCTIONS

    STEM OPT Extension
    Students eligible to apply for the 24 months STEM OPT extension need to click and complete the form below STEM OPT Extension Form

    STEM OPT Extension VALIDATION Report
    Students on STEM OPT Extension must submit a validation report to the International Student Services (ISS) every six months starting from the date the 24-month STEM extension begins until the end of your STEM OPT. SEVIS will automatically terminate your student's record if you fail to submit this report on time.
    STEM OPT Validation Reporting Form

    Transferring out of LWC
    Students interested in transferring out, must click and submit form below. An admissions letter from the new school should be included as well.
    Transfer Out Form

    Transferring in to LWC
    F-1 students currently attending another U.S. school, but received admission to LWC must complete this form and submit it to your current international student advisor with a copy of your LWC acceptance letter to request your transfer:
    Transfer In Form

    Affidavit of Support (AOS)
    This form is required of all international students before admission can be issued as well as when certain updated to the SEVIS Form I-20 are requested (i.e. Deferring start date, adding dependents, etc), certifying funds are not only available (via Bank statement) but identified sponsor(s) agree to use funds to cover the financial obligations of the person listed on top of the AOS. Please click and complete the form below.
    Affidavit of Support (AOS) Form

    Reinstatement Application
    This form does not apply to students who are receiving scholarships. At LWC, we will accept your SEVIS Form I-20 in terminated status and will guide you through the Reinstatement process! Applying for reinstatement to regain valid F-1 status can be challenging and typically takes USCIS a minimum of 12 months to process. During this time, you will not be eligible for benefits such as work (CPT) authorization and will have to be enrolled full-time in our MBA program until your application has been adjudicated.

    For more information and to start the process, click on the form below and complete.
    Reinstatement Application Form

    Program Extension/Shortening
    If your Program End date (PED) on your SEVIS Form I-20 is different from your actual PED, you must request a program extension or shortening several weeks before the actual PED on the SEVIS Form I-20. Please click and complete the form below.
    NOTE: The PED on the SEVIS Form I-20 cannot get updated after the PED has passed - students need to leave the U.S. and regain entry with new SEVIS Form I-20 Students must be enrolled in a minimum of two semesters full-time BEFORE they are eligible to apply for OPT and subsequent 24-month STEM OPT Extension! Students can also choose to apply for Reinstatement- review Reinstatement instructions.
    Program Extension/Shortening Form

    Traveling Outside the U.S.
    Students planning on traveling outside the U.S. need to click and submit form below NO EARLIER than two weeks before anticipated travel date.
    Travel Outside the US Form

    Leave of Absence
    To request a LOA, please contact your academic advisor first to request LOA, then notify the International Student Services Department. Discuss options as soon as possible - plan ahead! You must leave the U.S. within 15 days after LOA has been approved. LOA's must be requested prior to the start of the semester.
    Leave of Absence Information

    Inviting Family Members to the U.S.
    This guide is designed to provide you with some suggestions on how to help your family members prepare when applying for a visitor's visa (B-2) at a US consulate or embassy in their home country.The International Student Services Office (ISS) at Lindsey Wilson College does not produce letters of invitation for the purpose of inviting students' family members to visit the U.S. as these letters are not required by the United States.
    Guide to Invite Family Members to visit the U.S.

    Address Change
    Address Change Form

    International Student Health Insurance
    Health insurance is not mandated but highly recommended. Please review options outlined on the link from an insurance broker presenting options for our LWC students. This is a starting point for you. Feel free to choose your own insurance provider if so desired.
    International Student Health Insurance Options

    ISA Contact Information:

    Graduate Admissions (GA)
    Providing guidance, care and expertise to help you ease through the admissions process. For more information, contact us at graduateadmissons@lindsey.edu or call 270-384-7410.

    International Student Services (ISS)
    Providing immigration guidance and integration for our graduate students throughout their journey with LWC. For more information, contact us at iss@lindsey.edu or call 270-384-8236.

    International Student Programs (ISP)
    Providing immigration guidance and integration for our undergraduate students throughout their journey with LWC.

    ISP is fortunate enough to partner with families from the local community who are willing to host and befriend these students during the school year. Host families DO NOT provide housing for the students. Instead, host families provide friendship and a support system here in America to make the transition to and time in the U.S. a little bit easier.For more information, contact us at isp@lindsey.edu or call 270-384-8163.