International Student Services (OIE)
International Student Services (OIE) / MY EDGE Folder

MY EDGE Folder

Here are important documents for incoming and continuing students.  They will give you an EDGE as you are starting and living your life at WU and in Salem.

I Want OIEadvising!

  • "I Want OIEadvising!" form There are three main ways that you can talk to someone in OIE:
    • Come to Drop-in Advising at OIE Salem or OIE Portland - Mondays between 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. or Thursdays between 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (best for quick questions but topics can be formal or informal)
    • Use this form to request an appointment to meet with OIE staff in person (best for things that will take more than 10-15 minutes), on Zoom, or to pick up or drop off any paperwork or forms.
    • Email oieadvising@willamette.edu and the correct OIE person will get back to you.

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SEVIS & Immigration Information

Rules of F-1 & J-1 Students. These are the basic rules of maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status. It’s always best to consult OIE staff BEFORE you do anything that could affect your status. Remember, one minute is too long if it’s wrong.

Helpful Videos. The OIE has created a series of videos to try to help you with common questions related to your immigration status and using services at Willamette. Watching more than once is a good idea.

If these video links become broken or you'd like subtitled versions, you can also see them via YouTube.

 

  • SEVIS Registration
    • A SEVIS form must be submitted by EVERY student at the start of EVERY semester! Please use the link to access and submit the online form. If you have questions, send email to oieadvising@willamette.edu.
  • Address Update
    • Please use the link above to access and submit the address form. You must report any changes of residence to the OIE within 10 days of moving. This address must be your physical living address and even short-term moves must be registered.
  • Travel Signature Request Form
    • You can always get this form (pink) in the OIE offices in Salem and Portland. Submit this form 2 weeks prior to your departure from the US. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THE TWO WEEK ADVANCE RULE IS DURING DROP-IN ADVISING. AT ALL OTHER TIMES, IT TAKES 2 WEEKS!!
  • Accepting Government Benefits
    • You may be offered financial assistance by community groups, but accepting some financial assistance can jeopardize your immigration status. Be careful! For more information, consult the USCIS fact sheet about 'Public Charge' linked above.
  • Inviting Family to U.S. You might want to invite family to visit for important events like commencement. The OIE and WU are not able to offer invitation letters but you can work to help strengthen the case of your family members. See this resource for tips.

Life in the U.S.

Campus Life

  • WU's portals
    • WU has a variety of portals to access things like your student account, class schedules, grades, and other important things related to your life on campus. This guide gives you shortcuts to the various portals.
  • Flywire (paying WU with reduced fees)
  • Paying WU fees with a Credit Card
  • Paying WU using Wire Transfer
    • The attached document gives you the banking information to pay WU tuition and fees using a wire transfer. Questions about this, please contact student-accounts@willamette.edu.
  • Academic Calendar
  • Residence Hall -- Dates of Opening & Closing
    • In both Salem and Portland (ArtHouse), ALL students must depart no later than 24 hours after the last final exam. Students can request late check out, but IF APPROVED should expect to pay AT LEAST $100 or more per night (rate as of May 2020).
    • All residence halls close for the multiple-week winter vacation though there has recently been a process through housing to apply for break housing. Please email housing@willamette.edu and oieadvising@willamette.edu if you are unsure of when you have to move out or when you can move into your campus residence hall room.
  • Meal Plan Information
  • Declining Point Balance_Meal Plan resource
    • Every student who lives on Salem's campus and takes a meal plan will find this resource useful. Make sure you have enough points to last through the semester: this resource helps you see how many points you should have EACH day of the semester. Once on this page, click on the link, "Declining Balance Calendar" and the follow the links.
  • Quick Link to "Language in Motion" program
    • Language in Motion or LiM is a program to allow international students and language assistants to share language and culture in the local public schools. Study abroad returnees are also included in the program. For more information, you should click on the link above and then contact Nomi Pearce for more information.
  • Understanding Privacy in the U.S. (also called FERPA)
    • Efforts are made to protect your privacy in the U.S. and some of this protection is required by law (FERPA). This campus resource can help you understand how privacy protection works.

Extras

  • CPT Application Sheet (PDF version)
    • The procedures for CPT approval have changed! The OIE is no longer using this form but it remains here as an easy reminder of the procedures even though we are now using a Google form. Pay attention to the employer letter requirements and communicate them to your employer. Also note that you must submit a job description. CPT processing does not begin until all of your application materials are delivered to the OIE as a complete file. Use the I Want OIEadvising form (top of this page) to request an appointment to discuss CPT.
    • If you have questions, email oieadvising@willamette.edu.
  • CPT Sample Employer Letter
    • Your employer cannot access "My Folder" without a WU username and password. It is helpful for you to download this sample letter and share it with your employer so they know what is required. A company's typical offer letter is usually NOT acceptable for CPT authorization.
  • OPT and Economic Hardship Application Sheet
    • This OIE-only form lets you tell us your requested start and end dates for OPT. If you're graduating, remember your start date must fall somewhere within your 60-day grace period after your I-20 expires.
    • The OIE is now using a Google form and a 2 appointment process to authorize OPT. Use the I Want OIEadvising form (top of this page) to request each appointment to discuss OPT. You can apply once you are 90 days from your last day of exams in your last semester.
  • Applying for OPT assistance
    • This is not the full handout from the workshop and we are now using a Google form so the instructions are somewhat different. You can still use this for the general instructions and sample forms. When you request your appointment, we can explain how the process is now a bit different.
  • RFE for OPT and H1b
    • Students are often receiving RFEs (request for evidence) from USCIS. Use this document to be prepared for what could be requested if you apply for OPT or H1b. It's far easier to collect these documents while you are still a student and then save them for possible future needs.