Please read this information as a guide to help you with your remote studies and to maintain valid immigration status.
***Happy Lunar New Year ***
Contents:
- OPT and CPT workshops
- Presidents’ Day holiday – Feb. 15
- University of Idaho Immigration Clinic
- Green Dot or BSRC hold
- Energy assistance program
- Office of the Registrar term withdrawal request
- Tax time! Sprintax software available and workshop
- OPT and CPT workshops
OPT*
Want to know more about Optional Practical Training (OPT) or planning to apply due to your graduation this spring? Then attend our upcoming information session.
Feb. 19, 2021 | 3:30 p.m.
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android: https://wsu.zoom.us/s/91847524753?pwd=NXZzVUtmZjZuVWRuM21vU0M1TnN6QT09#success
Meeting ID: 918 4752 4753
Passcode: 997008
CPT*
If you are an F-1 student whose academic program or research (for graduate students) has internship requirements or options, then come to learn more about CPT.
CPT is an internship/employment authorization that students completing academic-based internships (paid or unpaid) off campus must have approved prior to beginning their internship.
Feb. 24, 2021 | 3:30 p.m.
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/96247276432?pwd=dmdnQmtidWl4YVU2OVN3UXo2Mnl5QT09
Meeting ID: 962 4727 6432
Passcode: 646965
*Academic English and Bridge students are NOT eligible to apply for CPT or OPT.
- Presidents’ Day holiday – Feb. 15
Feb.15 will be a class holiday (no classes) for WSU students. Please note that all University offices, including ISSS, will be available!
- University of Idaho Immigration Clinic
University of Idaho offers free immigration consultations to students. The immigration advice they provide falls beyond the scope of ISSS advisors (e.g., Permanent Residency application, asylum, etc.).
Contact the U of I Immigration Clinic for an appointment: https://www.uidaho.edu/law/academics/practical-skills/clinics/immigration
- Green Dot or BSRC Hold
Do not wait! Check your MyWSU holds. Login to my.wsu.edu and look in the top right of your screen. What holds do you see?
Some of these holds may stop you from being able to enroll in classes for fall 2021, so take care of them now!
Two of the most common holds that new undergraduate students may see are:
1) Green Dot: First Year AND
2) Reality Check
Health and Wellness requires new undergraduate students attend several workshops, including Green Dot and Reality Check. Failure to attend will keep you from being able to enroll in classes for fall 2021.
If you HAVE NOT attended either of these workshops and you see the hold on your account, you need to attend these workshops as soon as possible.
You can sign up for make-up Green Dot and Reality Check workshops on Coug Sync. A list of the upcoming workshops is found here: https://orgsync.com/62397/events?view=upcoming
- Energy assistance program
The Pullman Community Action Center offers emergency assistance programs. Please contact them for assistance as temperatures are dropping: 509.334.9147.
- Office of the Registrar term withdrawal request
If you are approved for an authorized early withdrawal request with your office and will depart the U.S., do not forget to submit an Office of the Registrar term withdrawal request as well. The authorized early withdrawal request with your office does not automatically cancel your enrollment with WSU. You must still submit a formal request with the Registrar’s office.
- Tax time! Sprintax software available and workshop
It is time for taxes. IP-ISSS will be offering materials for your convenience starting Monday, Feb.15, 2021.
Did you have NO income in 2020?
International students who did not receive U.S.-based income should still file a tax form, Form 8843, prior to June 1, 2021. You can also download the form at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8843.pdf
Did you have income in 2020? Do you have dependents?
GOOD NEWS! ISSS will offer FREE access to an online tax preparation software specifically designed for international students. This software will be available starting Feb. 15, 2021.
After Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, you can log in to myPassport.wsu.edu and select Tax Software to fill out the form.
International students who were employed at WSU in calendar year 2020 should have received a report of wage earnings (form W-2) from the Payroll Service Office. Students should use this form to complete and send their tax return to the U.S. government. Tax returns are due by April 15, 2021.
Sprintax Preparation Workshop (Pullman)
ISSS will offer three workshops about how to use Sprintax, an online tax program for F-1 and J-1 visa holders. The dates and times are:
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 | 3:30 p.m. (Pullman time)
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/95666336093?pwd=MXpNcUJ1QmJ4QXlMSlBveFliSWs1dz09
Meeting ID: 956 6633 6093
Passcode: 720906
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 | 3:30 p.m. (Pullman time)
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/94951016073?pwd=bFQxM3JONitQVnJYNnl6Yis4Nml3QT09
Meeting ID: 949 5101 6073
Passcode: 696963
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 | 3:30 p.m. (Pullman time)
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/93333140807?pwd=SFdGdVFJNVIwbzRSRzdNczRuTXM4dz09
Meeting ID: 933 3314 0807
Passcode: 517450
Reminder: No tax advice will be given at this workshop. This is only to help you learn about the online program that will guide you through your U.S taxes.
If you have any questions about the above announcements, please contact International Student and Scholar Services.
- WSU Pullman students contact +1 509-335-4508 or intlservices@wsu.edu
- WSU Vancouver students contact Caitlyn Schock at +1 360-546-9514 or dso@wsu.edu
- WSU Spokane students contact Kristie Brink at +1 509-358-7963 or kkclark@wsu.edu
- WSU Everett students contact Anna McLeod at +1 425-405-1727 or mcleod2@wsu.edu
- WSU Tri-Cities students contact Karina Barajas at +1 509-372-7358 or barajas@wsu.edu
Office of International Programs
Washington State University
PO Box 645121
Pullman, WA, 99164-5121 USA