Please read this information as a guide to help you with your studies and maintain a valid immigration status. The information below may not apply to international students at all campuses.
Taxes
Tax season is soon approaching (January through April), so it’s time to start getting familiarized with its terms and regulations. Please visit our tax website to learn more about taxes and what to prepare for.
An update regarding Optional Practical Training
On October 8, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shared a proposed rule that talks about adding new fees for schools when they recommend students for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
We want to reassure you right away: these fees are not in effect.
- What the proposal says: It suggests a $70,000 fee for an initial OPT recommendation and a $30,000 fee for a later/subsequent OPT recommendation (such as a STEM extension).
- Where things stand: Right now, this is just a proposal at the start of a public review process. It can still change or be dropped after people share their feedback.
- What you should do: Please don’t worry or delay your plans! If you are eligible for OPT right now, you should continue with the normal application process (process outlined below). If this ever becomes a final rule, it won’t take effect until at least 60 days later.
We are keeping a close eye on this update and will let you know as soon as we learn more. In the meantime, your goals matter to us — please contact us if you have any questions or just want to chat through your application. We are here to help.
The OPT application process starts in myPassport:
- Login to myPassport.
- Under Employment/Internships, choose Optional Practical Training application.
- See the online tutorial and complete all forms.
- After providing the requested information hit “submit.”
We will contact you in about 5 business days to give you the I-20 needed for the OPT submission to USCIS. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our office.
Phone scam alert!
If someone claiming to be a U.S. government official or law enforcement officer calls threatening you with deportation or any other negative immigration consequences – hang up immediately! This is a sophisticated scam (fraud)!
USCIS and other government agencies will never contact you over the phone to request payment immediately or to ask for identifying information.
Students in our area have reported receiving calls from a phone number that looks like a legitimate government number. When you answer, the person on the phone poses as a USCIS, FBI, IRS, or other government official or law enforcement officer. The scammer or scammers will say that there is a problem with your application or that additional information is required to continue the immigration process. Then, they will often ask for sensitive personal and financial information, demand payment, and threaten you with deportation, arrest, or other negative consequences if you do not comply immediately.
The scammer will then order victims to make a payment – and will often order them to go to a nearby bank or store and withdraw money or purchase a prepaid card, Steam card, Apple gift card, Google Play gift card voucher, or money order or make some other wire transfer, money exchange, payment, or withdrawal. (Note that the scammers are often able to direct victims to nearby banks or stores by using online maps to study the area in which a victim resides.) Again – if you receive a call like that, hang up immediately!
If you receive a suspicious email or voice message and are not sure if it is a scam, please contact us. Also, please visit the USCIS Avoid Scam page.