International Student and Scholar Services

Thornton International House
344 W. Woods Street
www.international.txstate.edu
Telephone: 512-245-7966 Fax: 512-245-8264

The mission of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is to support the comprehensive internationalization goals of Texas State University and assist the university in developing and maintaining an internationally diverse student body, faculty, and staff by:

  • serving as immigration and cultural advisors to international students and scholars; advocating on their behalf, and providing services and information that facilitate their cultural adjustment, social integration, retention, and success;
  • assisting the university at large and international students, scholars, alumni, faculty, and staff in particular, in complying with various governmental policies and regulations;
  • contributing to the research and teaching mission of the university by assisting with employment authorization for distinguished international scholars, faculty, and staff; and
  • promoting global awareness and internationalization at the university by administering international programming through hosting and sponsoring internationally minded events. 
     

Who is an international student?

An international student is a student enrolled in a U.S. academic program in a non-immigrant visa classification.

  • Common non-immigrant visa classifications are: A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, E-1, E-2, F-1, F-2, H-1, H-4, J-1, J-2, K-1, L-1, L-2, M-1, R-1, R-2, TN, and TD.
  • F-1 Student is the most common non-immigrant visa classification at Texas State with over 90 percent of international students in F-1 status.
  • A student who has applied for or received an immigrant classification such as permanent residency or refugee or asylum status, or who is undocumented is not categorized as an international student.

General Regulations

The following regulations govern F-1 and J-1 international students enrolled at Texas State:
International students are required to:

  • attend a mandatory F-1 Student Immigration Check-in session or J-1 Orientation.
  • enroll in a full course of study every fall and spring semesters. Summer is an authorized break period, however, full-time enrollment is required in summer for students whose first semester begins in summer;
  • obtain permission from International Student and Scholar Services before dropping below a full course of study for any reason. (See Reduced Course Load);
  • obtain permission from International Student and Scholar Services before engaging in off-campus employment. (see Curricular Practice Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT));
  • not work more than 20 hours per week while participating in on-campus employment in the fall and spring semesters. Students may work more than 20 hours per week during the summer and authorized break periods (see On-campus Employment);
  • report address changes or personal information to International Student and Scholar Services within 10 days of the change. (see Change of Address Update);
  • report any changes in program of study (change of major, adding a minor/concentration, etc.) to International Student and Scholar Services;
  • apply for a program extension from International Student and Scholar Services prior to the end date on the I-20 (see Program Extension);
  • apply for concurrent or transient enrollment approval when taking courses at an institution other than Texas State University (see Concurrent Enrollment);
  • obtain a travel signature from International Student and Scholar Services for all international travel;
  • request a transfer of their SEVIS record from International Student and Scholar Services to transfer to a new SEVIS-certified institution (see SEVIS Transfer-out);
  • notify International Student and Scholar Services upon approval of a change of non-immigration status, or an adjustment of status to permanent residency; and
  • maintain continuous health insurance coverage from the time of enrollment to the time of completion of the degree program or until otherwise cease to be a student at Texas State by obtaining coverage under the designated international student health insurance policy, or apply for a waiver and present acceptable proof of other comparable and adequate health insurance coverage (see Health Insurance).

An Overview of Our Services

  • Assist international students and academic departments with immigration processes and issues related to non-immigrant F-1 and J-1 students;
  • Assist international faculty and staff and hiring departments with employment authorization issues;
  • Provide mandatory F-1 Student Check-In and host International Student Resource Fair;
  • Advise and advocate for international students and scholars;
  • Plan and host programs for international students and scholars;
  • Provide statistical reports
  • For the complete list, visit the ISSS website.