International Student FAQs

Yes, find out more about accreditation on our Accreditation page. 

You will need to contact your local County Clerk’s office for specific application requirements.  However, at minimum you will need to take your valid I-20 and a letter from UC stating you are in good standing and currently enrolled at the institution. To obtain this letter complete the DMV Request Form.

Anyone who works in the US must have a Social Security card.  A Social Security Number (SSN) is issued once per lifetime.  If you have requested a card before and lost it, you will not get a new number. 

You are only eligible to apply for an SSN if you have a job offer letter and work permission.  Please note, F-2 dependents are not eligible for an SSN.

You must be currently in the US before you can apply for your SSN.

You must apply with your local SSN office no earlier than 30 days before your start date of employment as recorded on your I-20.

You need to take your employment letter and I-20 with you to the Social Security Office in order to apply for a card.

You can find your closest SSN Office by clicking here.

Yes, you can work while you are waiting for your SSN application to be processed.

More about CPT and OPT

Undergraduate Students: If you select to change your program of study or your degree program, you must set up an appointment with the Office of Student Services to review your I-20 and any admission requirements to the new program of study. Once it is determined that you can begin the new program, the respective office will update your program of study on your I-20 and extend your program if necessary.

Graduate Students: Submit a change of program application and meet the admissions requirements for your preferred program. Once it is determined that you can begin the new program you will receive an updated acceptance letter then an academic advisor and DSO will work with you for SEVIS updates and course registration.

All students needing a program extension will need to submit the Program Extension Application in UC Global.

Please note, this request must come at least one month prior to the program end date listed on your I-20. Requests for a program extension after the program end date listed on your I-20 cannot be processed.

US immigration regulations limit the number of online classes an F-1 student can take in a given semester.  No more than one (1) course can count towards the student’s full-time enrollment.  Please contact the Office of Student Services or  the Department of International Graduate Services for additional clarification regarding the online enrollment restrictions. 

F-1 students can only drop below full-time enrollment with prior permission from their assigned Designated School Official (DSO) and Academic Advisor.  A reduced course load request must be submitted in UC Global. If requesting a medical reduced course load documentation must be provided.

Student’s wishing to transfer their SEVIS record to another school must submit the Transfer Out Request in UC Global.

Undergraduate Admission
6178 College Station Dr.
Williamsburg, KY 40769 

Telephone
606.539.4240
800.343.1609

Admissions Fax
606.539.4303

Email
undergradint@ucumberlands.edu

Department of International Graduate Services
649 S. 10th Street Suite B
Williamsburg, KY 40769

Telephone
606.539.3577
833.953.0382

If your passport is lost/stolen there are several key reporting steps that must be completed.   

Step 1: You must file a police report for a lost or stolen passport.  Make sure you make a copy of the report for your records and to present to your consulate office. 

Step 2: You must report that your passport has been lost/stolen to the Embassy or Consulate office that issued your visa.  When you report the missing document, you want to list your full name, date of birth, place of birth, address in the US, and email address.  You are also asked to state when and where it was lost/stolen. 

Step 3: You cannot replace the passport within the US.  As a result, when you go home for a break period you will have to apply for a replacement visa.  You must take all of the documentation referenced above with you when you apply. 

Please note that once you complete these steps, if you find your passport it will no longer be valid and you still have to replace the document.
 

An I-901 is a fee that all F and M students and J exchange visitors must pay before the Department of State can issue a visa. Students pay this fee after receiving their Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” at FMJfee.com.

• Regulation requires all prospective F-1 students to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before the U.S. Department of State issues them a visa to study in the United States.
• The I-901 SEVIS Fee is different from the fees for visa services issued by the Department of State.
• F-1 students must pay their I-901 SEVIS Fee in order to study in the United States, to remain compliant and to maintain their student status.
• To pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee , visit FMJfee.com to access the SEVIS Form I-901.
• F-1 students must print their I-901 SEVIS Fee payment receipt to present as proof of payment at their visa interview and to enter the United States at a U.S. port of entry. Showing an email notification alone will not be sufficient.
• The SEVIS ID on the payment confirmation receipt must always match the SEVIS ID on the student’s most current Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” unless the F or M student is considered a border commuter student. If the SEVIS ID is different, please email FMJfee.sevis@ice.dhs.gov to confirm if a new I‑901 Fee payment is required.

Please visit the tutorial  provided by Study in the States for assistance. 

All F-1 international students are required to file tax forms with the United States federal government.  You must file taxes regardless if you worked in the U.S., earned income in the U.S., or received a scholarship. International Services does not have tax experts and therefore cannot, by law, answer specific tax questions or help you prepare your tax forms. If you are not familiar with how to file taxes, we recommend students see expert advice from an accountant or other tax professional.

The deadline to file taxes in the U.S. is April 15.

Steps to Consider to Complete Fax Forms 
Step 1: Collect Tax Documents: These documents may have come from an employer or the university. 

Step 2: File Tax Paperwork by April 15:  There are several tax professionals available for international students to consider.  UC does not endorse one specific program.  However, we do like to highlight Glacier Tax Prep, which is a specific tax preparation service that is trained in working with international students. You can access their site at https://www.glaciertax.com/.

Commonly Used Tax Forms 
1040Z: Income Tax Return  

Form 8843: Statement for Exempt Individuals (This form is required even if you don’t file taxes.) 

Taxpayer Identification Number:  Students without a Social Security Number 

Form 4868: Application for Extension of Time to File Taxes  

New Student Orientation is a critical and required component of your transition to University of the Cumberlands Graduate Programs. Click here for more information about orientation.

The US Department of Homeland Security provides a great resource about all things in relation to F1 students at Student in the States: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov.

This process requires traveling out of the US, applying for a visa, and paying the SEVIS Fee. Since traveling requires visiting a U.S. consulate outside the U.S. to obtain the new visa stamp, the length of time is dependent on how long that process will take.  Due to delays, long processing times and security checks, we recommend talking with a DSO before choosing this option.

Your re-entry date to the U.S. can be up to 30 days prior to the program start date on your I-20.  If your re-entry date is delayed, it could jeopardize your enrollment for the planned term. 

A person's nonimmigrant status must match the purpose of his/her stay in the U.S.  A change of status may be necessary when the objectives of the visit have changed.

Changing nonimmigrant status can be a complex and time-consuming process. The timing of the change is critical and must be done with care to avoid falling out of status during the transition. Before pursuing a change of status, it is recommended that you discuss your situation with a DSO.

There are two ways to change nonimmigrant status:

1.    Travel outside the U.S. and re-enter in the new status, or

2.    Remain in the U.S. and request a change of status by application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

To learn more about the Change of Status Process review resources provided by DHS on Study in the States: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/change-of-status

**The above information is to be used as a general reference only. University of the Cumberlands does not issue change of status I-20’s. If you have questions regarding this information please contact the Department of International Graduate Services**

You will need your I-20 with a travel signature on page two that is within six months of your return date. Additional information regarding travel can be found on http://www.ucumberlands.edu/student-life/international-students/graduate-forms.

Yes, however if you are participating in CPT you may not work when you are traveling out of the country. It is our suggestion to be able to provide documentation that you are not working during your travel and are on approved holiday. 

Find out more about residency sessions at: www.ucumberlands.edu/residency

Find out more about residency sessions at: www.ucumberlands.edu/residency