Please read this information as a guide to help you with your remote studies and to maintain valid immigration status.
Contents:
- Daylight Saving Time begins March 14
- New information resource! Higher Ed Immigration Portal
- Learning Support Center
- Scam call alert!
- On-campus job opportunities
- IP ISSS message to our international students
- Tax time! Sprintax software available and workshop scheduled
- Daylight Saving Time begins March 14
At 2 a.m. on March 14, 2021, Daylight Saving Time begins.
What does this mean? It means we “lose” an hour. While digital clocks and cell phones should automatically reset, please make sure that you set all analog (nondigital) clocks, including watches and other nondigital devices, forward one hour on Saturday night.
For students currently located in a time zone without a time change, please note your classes as of March 15 will start one hour earlier for the rest of the semester.
- New information resource! Higher Ed Immigration Portal
The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration launched a new Higher Ed Immigration Portal. The Portal is a one-stop, easily navigable resource for state and federal data, policy, and best practices concerning immigrant, international, and refugee students—including DACA recipients and undocumented students. However, please note that it is not sponsored by the U.S. government.
- Learning Support Center
The Learning Support Center is here to help all international students. If you have not looked at the LSC website yet, you can find it here.
The LSC offers a complete tutoring schedule with convenient hours where you can find a live tutor to help you with your classes (including evening and weekend hours)!
If you need help in ANY class, general English tutors are here to support you by helping you look over your assignments, make sure you’re meeting the teacher’s expectations, review the grammar, or help you practice for a presentation.
There is also a tutor who specializes in COM 102. If you’re taking any COM classes, you can visit here for help.
If you have any questions about the LSC and what is has to offer, please reach out to Lauren Reed at lauren.kruger@wsu.edu
- Scam call alert!
Scam calls are common, and an international student from WSU reported to us one new attempt that happened to her this week. The student received a call from caller ID U.S. Secret Service and the caller asked that the student give their alien registration number, passport number, or other identifying information otherwise 911 would be dispatched to her house. The student knew to inform the caller that they would need to talk with an international student advisor before providing any information. However, for pressure, the caller then said that 911 would be at their house within the hour if they did not comply. The student hung up the phone and contacted us immediately.
This is a reminder to NOT provide any personal information or payment over the phone to individuals claiming to be from U.S. government agencies (IRS, USCIS, etc.). Feel free to reach out to our office for questions if you receive such phone calls: ip.intlservices@wsu.edu.
- On-campus job opportunities
Here are two on-campus part-time job opportunities advertised through WSU Handshake that international students might qualify for:
https://wsu.joinhandshake.com/jobs/4459456?ref=recommendation-collection-show
https://wsu.joinhandshake.com/jobs/4459542
- IP ISSS message to our international students
We look forward to welcoming our students back to our campuses this fall 2021. Please check out our message to you: https://youtu.be/q_T3otB6Qas
- Tax time! Sprintax software available and workshop
It is time for taxes. IP-ISSS is offering materials for your convenience.
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 offers FREE access to online tax preparation software specifically designed for international students. This software is available now.
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 one more workshop about how to use Sprintax, an online tax program for F-1 and J-1 visa holders.
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.
This Advisory and previous issues are posted at https://ip.wsu.edu/on-campus/immigration-advisories.
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