April 8, 2022
Contents:
- Non-Pullman students – “ask a question” eform in myPassport system
- Report harassment/discrimination in the community
- Reduced course load requirements
- Graduating in summer 2022 and interested in OPT? / Optional Practical Training info session
- Sprintax software reminder / Free Sprintax software now available to download!
- Non-Pullman students – “ask a question” eform in myPassport system
To better support international students located at non-Pullman campuses and locations, and who do not have a DSO readily available to assist, ISSS created an eform in the myPassport system in which these students can directly submit their questions to our office. This will help with timely responses, which are not always possible through the high volume of emails we receive daily.
The eform is located under the F-1 Student Services tab in myPassport and is visible and available only to non-Pullman students.
As a reminder, all students are welcome to join our advising hours between 1-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
If you have questions, please contact ip.intlservices@wsu.edu.
- Report harassment/discrimination in the Pullman community
If you witness or experience harassment or discrimination from unknown individuals at the local Walmart, Safeway, or Costco, please report it! Your identity will be protected, and you will help continue to make our Pullman/Moscow community a safe and welcoming place for all. Here is how to report:
- Walmart: 509-334-2990, option 2, then 0
- Ask to talk to manager Brandon or HR manager Christa (if the person you are reporting about is a staff member).
- Safeway: 509-334-0803, option 8
- Ask to talk to store director/manager Ray.
- Costco: 509-758-1800, option 1
- Ask to talk to warehouse manager Rich or to either assistant manager Steve or Herb.
Please know, the sooner you report, the more likely the store will be able to directly respond.
If you make a report, it is most helpful to include detailed information such as time and date, location, and description. Detailed information can help the stores locate and identify an incident and actors, especially if there are cameras available. While the stores may have a limited ability to respond, unless conduct is “extreme,” they encourage reporting – they cannot address behavior unless they know about such incidents.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact ISSS for assistance at ip.intlservices@wsu.edu or 509-335-4508.
For non-Pullman locations, please contact your local DSO for information on how to report these events.
- Reduced course load requirements
April 16 is the deadline for undergraduate and professional students to withdraw from a course.
Please remember that as an international student in F-1 or J-1 status, you are required to maintain the following minimum enrollment requirements:
- Undergraduate: 12 credits
- Graduate: 10 credits
If you wish to withdraw from a course and the withdrawal will drop you below full-time enrollment, you must first be authorized for a “reduced course load (RCL)” for that term.
This authorization can be given only by ISSS or your campus DSO and must be approved BEFORE you withdraw from the course(s).
The U.S government allows for reduced course load authorizations in limited circumstances including:
It is your last semester and you need less than full-time enrollment to graduate.
You have a medical condition and can provide a letter from a licensed doctor or psychologist.
You are in a qualifying academic situation, usually during your first year of study.
If you think you may need to drop below full-time enrollment, please speak with an International Student Advisor or your campus DSO to see what options are available for you.
- Graduating in summer 2022 and interested in OPT?
If you will be completing your studies in summer 2022 and you wish to participate in post-completion OPT (Optional Practical Training), we recommend starting to think about the application now!
You can apply for OPT up to 90 days before your program completion date (normally your last date of enrollment), but the U.S. government is averaging 90-100 days in their review of applications, so we recommend you APPLY EARLY! Don’t wait!
Please log in to myPassport.wsu.edu and find the Optional Practical Training form under F-1 Student Services. This form will provide a link to a tutorial as well as more information on the application process.
OPT info session | Tuesday, April 12 | 4-5 p.m. | CUB 204
If you are graduating soon and want to know more about working in your field in the U.S., come learn about Optional Practical Training (OPT)! Learn more about post-graduation work opportunities and take steps toward your future career. The session will be led by Nitivia Jones, senior international student advisor. Please register on the Handshake page here: app.joinhandshake.com/stu/events/1006796.
If you have any questions about OPT and are not able to attend, please email us at ip.intlservices@wsu.edu or join open advising hours Monday-Friday, 1-3 p.m.
- Sprintax software reminder/ Free Sprintax software now available to download!
ISSS offers FREE access to online tax preparation software specifically designed for international students. This software is available now, so 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 2021 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 18, 2022.
Free Sprintax software now available to download!
Are you preparing to file your taxes? On myPassport, you can find the Sprintax blog, a link to the Sprintax YouTube channel, Sprintax webinar registration links, and the link to download the Sprintax software.
- Click on Tax Software >Tax Software Request>+Add New Tax Software Request
- Read 3 paragraphs of information
- Answer the question
- Links will appear
- Click “Submit” to get email with instructions and unique code that will make the Sprintax software free of cost to you.
Please note that ISSS staff cannot assist you with filing your taxes. If you have questions about filing taxes, please consult a tax professional.
Please visit the Sprintax How to Prepare for the 2021 US Tax season blog, watch their YouTube videos, and attend one of the Sprintax Tax Webinars listed below.
Webinar dates, times, and registration links
- Monday, April 11 | 9 a.m. PST – Register here
- Thursday, April 14 | 10 a.m. PST – Register here