FERPA & International Students
Office of the Registrar
Salve Regina University is committed to maintaining a safe and open academic environment in which all students can learn, discuss, teach, and share their ideas. The University is also committed to protecting the personal information of all students, including international students, to the extent allowed under law. Whenever necessary, senior administration works with legal counsel to ensure that protection.
Whenever an inquiry about a student is made by an agency of the government, the University refers to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA). A summary of student rights under FERPA is published every semester in the Schedule of Classes. (See for example, page 7 of the current Fall book.) More comprehensive details about FERPA are published in Appendix A of the Student Handbook, published annually. FERPA applies to all university students in this country, regardless of race, citizenship or visa.
The University responds to INS or DOS requests to confirm the information that they already have about F-1 visa students via the I-20 that you carry. F-1 students give permission when they sign the I-20 form.
If government agencies make specific requests for information, we will provide the information required by law while protecting your privacy as permitted by law.
We do not release private information to student groups or community groups. While we understand that some student and community groups would like to contact students and scholars to offer help and support, we believe that giving these groups lists of students would be inappropriate. We will identify ways in which these groups can announce their services to the entire campus community. International students can then respond to those announcements as they choose.
F-1 Visa students should continue to maintain their visa status and stay informed as usual, by:
- Continuing to attend school as a full-time student;
- Refraining from unauthorized work;
- Notifying INS of changes in address within 10 days of an address change, using Form AR-11, available on the INS Web, and keeping the Office of the Registrar (McAuley 205) advised of your current address. In order to access Form AR-11 and for the Form AR-11 filing address, go to the INS Web site.
- Before traveling,
- Verify that your documents are in order;
- Notify the University Registrar.
- Contacting the International Student Advisor if you have questions or concerns.
F-1 Visa Status
Staying in legal visa status while you are a student at Salve Regina University:
It is your responsibility to know and follow the legal requirements that keep you "in status." Your "status" in the immigration category in which you entered the U.S. Most international students are in "F-1" status.
To remain "in status" you must:
- Have entered the U.S. with an I-20 from Salve Regina University or have completed the transfer process with the DSO (Designated School Official). Further information is on the back of your I-20 form.
- Carry a full course load at Salve during the fall and spring semesters. Full time is at least 12 credits.
- Apply for an extension of program if you will not complete your degree within the time specified in section 5 of your I-20 form.
- Limit on-campus employment to 20 hours per week while school is in session or 40 hours during school breaks or holidays.
- The DSO must authorize off-campus employment.
- Before traveling outside the U.S., have your I-20 signed by DSO and check to see if the date of your F-1 visa is valid for re-entry.
- Keep your passport valid for 6 months into the future.
You must leave the U.S. within 60 days of completing your studies unless you change to another visa, apply for post-completion practical training, or enroll in another degree program.
If you fall out of status for some reason (for example not completing at least 12 units in one quarter), please meet with your international student advisor immediately. Simply registering full-time in the next semester or stopping your unauthorized work does not put you back in status. There are steps you can take with INS to recover your status, but the sooner you begin, the better your chances for approval.
Falling out of status has very serious consequences. For example, you could be prevented from re-entering the U.S. for three to ten years, depending on the length of your status violation. For status violations of 180-360 days, a three-year exclusion is imposed. If you remain out of status for more than 360 days, you may not re-enter the U.S. for ten years.