Current Student & Scholar Frequently Asked Questions
Current Student & Scholar Frequently Asked Questions
Current Student & Scholar Frequently Asked Questions
Maintaining Your Visa Status
How many credits am I required to take?
All international students must be enrolled full-time except under specific circumstances (see below). To be enrolled full-time, students must be enrolled in a certain amount of credits per semester.
- Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) students and Exchange Students
- Federal regulations require undergraduate students to take at least 12 credits to be considered full-time. Of those 12 credits, at least 9 credits must be from in-person classes.
- Graduate (Master’s, PhD, COGS) students:
- Federal regulations require graduate students to take at least 9 credits to be considered full-time. Of those 9 credits, at least 6 credits must be from in-person classes.
Can I drop below full-time enrollment?
Can I study part-time?
How many online courses can I take?
For undergraduate and graduate students, only one online course will count towards your full-time enrollment. You can take more online courses if you would like, but please be aware that you MUST meet the minimum requirement of in-person credits to comply with federal regulations.
For example, an undergraduate student can complete 9 credits in-person and 6 credits online (totaling 15 credits) each semester. However, the student CANNOT take 6 credits in-person and 6 credits online; undergraduates must complete a minimum of 9 in-person credits each semester.
I need to drop a course. What do I need to do?
What do I do if I want to travel outside of the U.S.?
You will need a travel signature on your DS-2019 or I-20 for international travel. You do NOT need it to leave the U.S.; you only need it to reenter the country. Please log into your and submit a Travel Signature Request via the Control Panel to receive the travel signature.
Note: Travel signatures are valid for 12 months from the date of issuance (or 6 months for OPT students).
Student Life
How do I get a Social Security Number?
- For students with on-campus employment: In order to get a SSN, first you must get a Social Security Verification Letter from our office. See this page of our website for details. Please log into Terra Dotta, navigate to the Control Center, and find the request option called “Social Security Verification Request.” Fill out the required information, and where it says “Approver,” please put the supervisor of your job. After you click “submit,” your supervisor will receive an email with instructions on how to approve your request. We cannot issue your letter without this approval. If it takes longer than a few weeks for the supervisor to approve the request, please follow up with them via email. After we receive approval, one of our advisors will issue you a Social Security Verification Letter and provide more information on how to get your SSN.
- For students on OPT: If you do not already have a social security number, you can apply for one during the OPT application process. When filling out the Form I-765, it will ask if you want the Social Security Administration to issue you an SSN. Select “yes” and fill out the required information, and you will receive one in the mail alongside your EAD.
How do I apply for a driver’s license?
First, you need to receive a Social Security Ineligibility Letter. You can get this letter from the Social Security Administration Office. Just bring your I-20, passport, and visa, and they will be able to provide you with this letter.
- The closest Social Security Offices are:
- 830 Delsea Dr., Glassboro, NJ 08028; (866) 883-5305
- 6 Executive Campus, Suite 200, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002; (866) 931-2879
- 532 Fellowship Rd., Suite E, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054; (866) 837-5002
After you get the ineligibility letter from the Social Security Office or if you already have a Social Security card, you will need to go to the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). Before going to the (MVC), make sure to review the information related to and about applying for a license. You must present the social security card or social security ineligibility letter and proof of address in addition to your primary and secondary documents. All documents when added together should equal or exceed 6 points.
- We recommend that you bring your passport (primary document - 4 points) and school ID with enrollment verification (3 points). You can get your enrollment verification from the Registrar’s Office. Alternatively, you can bring your passport (primary 4 points) and health insurance card (1 point) and U.S. bank statement on letterhead (1 point).
- Generally, in the state of NJ, the rule is that if you can provide proof of the validity of your foreign driver’s license, you obtain your NJ driver’s license without taking any tests. Rules may be different if you are under the age of 21. You can confirm this with the NJ MVC. An auto driver’s license costs $24.00 in the state of NJ. If you bring all the proper paperwork to the MVC, your license will be printed and issued the same day. If you do not have a foreign driver’s license, you will need to take the driver’s test to obtain a New Jersey driver's license.
How do I request my official transcripts?
F-1 Student Work Authorization
Can I work on-campus?
Regulations allow F-1 students to work on-campus OR at campus-affiliates locations (such as Barnes and Noble or Gourmet Dining). Per government regulations and university policies, you cannot work more than 20 hours per week. You will need a Social Security Number (see above) to get paid. Please see this page on our website for more information.
International students do not need special authorization to work on-campus, unless the work is considered an internship that will count towards your degree. In that case, you will need to apply for CPT (see below).
What is the difference between Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
OPT is a form of work authorization that allows F-1 students to gain work experience in their field of study. OPT employment is optional for any student who meets eligibility requirements and is not required for the course of study. OPT is not employer-specific and can be done before or after graduation. Click here for information on Pre-Completion OPT, and click here for information on Post-Completion OPT.
How do I apply for CPT?
What is the difference between Pre-Completion and Post-Completion OPT?
Pre-Completion OPT can be done during your studies if you have been enrolled at É«ÀÇÉçÇø for one academic year. During the academic year, you can only work part time (20 hours or less); during summer or winter break, you can work as many hours as you like. Part-time Pre-Completion OPT accrues at a rate of 50%. For example, 6 months of part-time pre-completion OPT counts as 3 months of the total of 12 months of OPT you are allowed. Note: All periods of pre-completion OPT are deducted from the available post-completion OPT.
Post-Completion OPT can be done after completing your degree. This allows up to 12 months of work permission. Authorized students on post-completion OPT must work at least 20 hours a week with a maximum of 60 days of unemployment allowed. Employment must be related to your course of study.
How can I apply for Pre-Completion OPT?
How do I apply for Post-Completion OPT?
What is STEM Extension OPT?
STEM OPT (Optional Practical Training) extension allows F-1 students to work up to an additional 24 months (2 years) after completing Post-Completion OPT. STEM OPT only applies to certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors. The full list of currently approved majors can be found on the USCIS website.
Read more on our STEM Extension OPT webpage.
How do I apply for STEM Extension OPT?
Please log in to Terra Dotta to view step-by-step instructions for the application process and to submit your STEM Extension OPT request.
J-1 Students and Scholars
Am I able to live on-campus?
If you are a student on a J-1 visa, you are eligible to live on-campus. If you are a J-visa holder scholar and you are not taking any classes, you will not be able to live on-campus.
For off-campus housing options, we recommend that you visit Residential Learning and University Housing's Off-Campus Housing webpage to start your search.
I am moving next week. Should I notify my Program Advisor?
Do my J-2 dependents (spouse and/or children) need health insurance as well?
Yes. As a State regulation, everyone needs valid health insurance to cover them for the length of their stay.
Note: Health insurance needs to meet or exceed the minimum required level of coverage. This is a requirement of the U.S. Department of State.
Can I extend my DS-2019?
It depends on many factors. We recommend making an appointment to visit the International Center as soon as you are planning on an extension.
Click here to make an appointment.
I applied for and received my J-Visa, but I’m waiting for documents from my home university. Can I arrive after my start date?
Can a Research Scholar be compensated?
I am an uncompensated International Exchange Visitor on a J-Visa. Can I apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)?
We only recommend our compensated International Exchange Visitors to apply for a Social Security number.
Note: You can apply for a driver’s license and open a bank account without a SSN.