Frequently Asked Questions
The section below contains the answers to questions that have been amongst some of the most commonly asked questions by the international students at SUNY Maritime College. This page is intended to provide only a general explanation. If you require a more detailed explanation or cannot find the question you may have, please contact International Student Services. The international student advisor will address your questions accordingly.
Contact information:
Ms. Devon Switzer
Location: Baylis Hall, Student Life
E-mail: dswitzer@sunymaritime.edu
Phone: (718) 409-2904 (temporary)
Maintaining your Student Status
International Student Health Insurance
Visa
Travel
Employment
Curricular Practical Training
Optional Practical Training
Student Housing
Other
Maintaining your Student Status
Q. What is a full course load?
A. A full course load is defined differently for a student at the undergraduate and graduate level. An international student must be enrolled in and complete a full course load each semester to maintain their F-1 student status.
Undergraduate student = enrolled in 12 credits each semester
Graduate student = enrolled in 9 credits each semester
Q. Do I have to register for a full course load in my last semester if I don’t have a full course load left to complete?
A. No. If it is your last semester at SUNY Maritime College, and you only need to take one or two courses to complete the graduation requirements you may request a reduced course load. You may not, under any circumstance, enroll in less than a full course load or drop any course(s) prior to approval from the international student advisor. Complete the appropriate form and return to International Student Services. If authorized, you may drop below a full-time course load for your last semester.
Q. Can I register for online courses?
A. Yes. However, you are restricted to the number of online or distance education courses you may take as an international student. To maintain your student status, you may not take more than one online or distance education course per fall or spring semester.
During the summer and winter sessions you are not limited to the number of online or distance education courses you may take. With the approval of your international student advisor, you may register for as many online or distance education courses as you desire.
Q. I have a hold on my student account. Can I still register for my courses next semester?
A. No. You must first take care of the hold that has been issued to your account. Until you have resolved the issue, you may not register for any courses.
Q. If I stop studying before I graduate, can I continue within the next one or two years?
A. No. You have come into the United States on an F-1 Student Visa. In order to maintain your status, you must be enrolled full-time each semester, at the institution that is stated on your Form I-20. Failure to enroll will cause you to be out-of-status.
If you have requested and received a leave of absence from the Registrar’s office and notified International Student Services, you must still return to the college within 5 months or your immigration record will be terminated. You will need to apply for a new visa if this occurs. If you have received a leave of absence, you must notify both the Registrar’s office and International Student Services of your return.
Q. What is the last day I have to leave the country after I complete my studies?
A. You have a 60 day grace period to depart the United States after you have completed your studies at SUNY Maritime College (date of graduation), to start another degree program, or to transfer to another institution.
The same grace period applies to those who are authorized for Optional Practical Training, unless you have reached the 90 day unemployment limitation.
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International Student Health Insurance
Q. Where do I get my health insurance card?
A. You are responsible for picking up your health insurance card from Ms. Cortney Worrell in Health Services.
Q. Where do I find information about my health insurance coverage?
A. Your insurance is provided by HTH Worldwide. Visit http://www.hthstudents.com/index.cfm to review your plan.
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Visa
Q. What happens if my visa expires while in the United States?
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If you do not intend to travel, you may remain in the United States at SUNY Maritime College until the completion of your studies. Your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record should state D/S (Duration of Status). The duration of status is the amount of time indicated on your Form I-20 (it is the start date and completion date of your studies at SUNY Maritime College). Therefore, if your completion date on your I-20 has not arrived, the I-94 states D/S, and your visa has expired, you are able to stay within the United States at the college until you have graduated.
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If you intend to travel outside of the United States to Canada or Mexico, or one of the U.S. adjacent islands less than 30 days, and do not travel to another country during your vacation, you may receive automatic visa revalidation upon re-entering the United States. You must not give the authorities your I-94, if you are intending to return to the U.S. with automatic visa revalidation.
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If you are traveling to Canada or Mexico, or one of the U.S. adjacent islands for more than 30 days, or to any other country for any amount of time, you must renew your visa before returning to the United States or you will not be able to re-enter the country. We advise you to renew your visa in your home country.
Q. Can I renew my visa in the United States?
A. No. You must renew your visa outside of the United States. It is highly suggested you renew your visa in your home country. However, you have the option to renew your visa in Canada or Mexico or one of the U.S. adjacent islands. You risk not being able to return to the U.S. if you do not go home to renew your visa.
Q. Can I still use my unexpired visa located in my expired passport?
A. Yes. You will need to renew your passport, and keep your expired passport. Carry both immigration documents with you for travel as long as your visa remains valid.
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Travel
Q. What documents do I need to carry when I travel?
Q. If I am traveling within the United States, do I need to get Page 3 of my Form I-20 signed?
A. No. As long as you stay within the United States, you do not need to have Page 3 of your Form I-20 signed.
Q. If I travel to Canada, do I need a visitor visa?
A. Canada requires persons from some countries to apply for a visitor visa before entering the country. Check the list for your country’s requirement http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp.
Always check the visa requirements of any country you are traveling to. Some countries require either a visitor visa or a transit visa.
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Employment
Q. Can I work off-campus?
A. No. You are not authorized to work off-campus as an international student. You must not accept any employment (for example at a restaurant, retail store, gas station, etc.). You will be considered out-of-status if you work any hours at an off –campus location.
Only those students who are in severe economic hardship may apply for employment authorization. You must schedule an appointment with the international student advisor to determine if you meet the need for off-campus employment. You must be authorized by both the international student advisor and USCIS before you may begin working in any off-campus position.
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Curricular Practical Training
Q. If I am going on Cadet Observer, do I have to receive authorization from International Student Services?
A. Yes. You must apply for Curricular Practical Training before starting Cadet Observer. Unless you have been authorized by the international student advisor, you may not participate.
Q. When can I start working?
A. You may begin your CPT on the start date that is indicated on your new Form I-20. To receive your Form I-20 you must have received authorization from the international student advisor. S/he will have only authorized you for CPT after the receipt and review of the required documentation.
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Optional Practical Training
Q. When can I apply for OPT (Post-completion)?
A. You may apply for OPT up to 90 days before, or up to 60 days after you complete your studies. We suggest that you do not wait until the last few days to apply for OPT because it may take 2-3 months to receive work authorization from the USCIS. The time it takes for you to receive employment authorization will be deducted from the time given to complete OPT.
Q. How do I apply for OPT?
A. Contact International Student Services for the OPT Checklist (also located on the website). Complete the requirements and return to the international student advisor during your scheduled appointment. S/he will review your application for completeness and eligibility. If the application has been properly prepared and you have completed all of the necessary requirements, you will be issued a new Form I-20 indicating your recommendation for OPT. International Student Services will then provide you with instructions on how to submit your application to USCIS.
Q. Can I start work before I receive my Employment Authorization Document (EAD)?
A. No. You cannot begin your OPT until you have received your EAD and the start date on your EAD has arrived. If you have already found employment, you must inform your employer that you may not begin until you have received authorization.
Q. What happens if I have not found a job by my OPT start date?
A. You are allowed up to a total of 90 days of unemployment. You must keep track of the days you are unemployed, being careful not to reach 90 days. The days start to calculate when the start date on your EAD has arrived. If you reach the limitation of 90 days, you must depart the United States. You do not receive a 60 day grace period.
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Student Housing
Q. The food I am used to eating is not offered on campus, and the residence halls do not have a kitchen in which I can cook. Can I bring my own or purchase cooking appliances to use within my dormitory room?
A. No.You may not under any circumstance have in your possession or use any cooking appliance(s) in the residence halls/dormitory rooms. The items are prohibited and you will face consequences (i.e. demerits and/or dismissal from the residence halls) if found in your possession.
Additionally, all items found on Pages 9-10 within the Guide to Student Housing are prohibited in your student housing environment. Review the list and remove any of the following items from your dormitory room if they are currently in your possession.
Q. What items should I bring with me to the campus?
A. Click here for a list of items recommended by the Office of Student Housing and Residential Life.
*Regimental students should consult a separate list provided from the Regiment.
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Other
Q. Can I bring my girlfriend/boyfriend to the United States as a dependent?
A. No. To apply for an F-2 visa, the individual must be your spouse or child. Your girlfriend/boyfriend does not fall within the category of a dependent.
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