Glossary of Terms
Term
Description
Agreement of International Support CFR
The financial supporting document a United States sponsor or permanent resident must submit on behalf of an F-1 student in order to be issued a Form I-20. Code of Federal Regulations The CFR is kept up-to-date by notices published in The Federal Register which is where agencies giver public notice of rules and regulations, proposed rules, and notices.
COS
Change of Status – Apply on Form I-539 to USCIS to change from one non-immigrant status to another non-immigrant status. Applications are adjudicated by the USCIS.
CPT
Curricular Practical Training – A cooperative education requirement on your degree program at CCM which requires you to be employed. The student must receive credit for the training.
DHS
The Department of Homeland Security – Agency which replaced the INS and by virtue of The Homeland Security Act of 2002 is granted visa policy authority.
DSO
The Designated School Official – An employed member of CCM who represents the school in F-1 student matters. The DSO ensures institutional and individual compliance with the law.
EAD
Employment Authorization Document – Known as a work permit. It is a laminated card issued by the USCIS which provides the non-immigrant a legal right to work in the United States.
FAAR
Foreign Student Advisor’s Report – Form to be submitted as part of the application process by F-1 visa holders applying to transfer to CCM from another college or university in the United States.
Form I-20
Certificate of Eligibility for non-immigrant F-1 status. This form is required to apply for an F-1 visa.
Form I-94
Arrival/Departure Record Upon admitting the student to the United States, the immigration officer issues the student the departure portion of Form I-94, marked with the date and place of entry, the person’s status an 11 digit admission number and for the period of admission known as “duration of status” D/S.
Form I-539
Application to Extend/Change of Status Form submitted to USCIS for nonimmigrant’s requesting extensions in stay or changes from one nonimmigrant category to another nonimmigrant category. $300 fee.
ICE
United States Immigration and Customs – Enforcement Responsible for immigration investigations, detention, removal, intelligence and SEVIS.
INA
Immigration and Nationality Act – It is the basic statute of immigration law. www.uscis.gov/laws.
ISAFA
International Student Application for Admission – $30.00 non-refundable application fee.
NOA
Notice of Action – A paper form the USCIS creates to document the processing on received petitions.
Non-immigrant
Any person who is not a citizen but who is admitted to the United States for a limited and temporary purpose.
OPT
Optional Practical Training – An F-1 student benefit granted by the USCIS for 12 months of employment directly related to the students major.
SEVIS
The Student and Exchange Visitor – Information System of the Department of Homeland Security’s DHS It is web-based system for maintaining information on F-1 visa holders.
SEVIS I-901 fee
I-901 Fee – A fee paid by students and exchange visitors who use Form I-20 to gain F-1 student status.
USCIS
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – Formerly the US Immigration Service Vermont Service Center 75 Lower Welden St. St. Albans, VT 05479
WES
World Education Services – An organization which evaluates international credentials https://www.wes.org/apply.
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