Parents & Family

The ISC supports international students maintaining F-1 & J-1 immigration status. Status is the legal standing of a visa holder in the United States.  Different statuses allow different purposes for being in the United States.  Some allow study, employment, and other benefits, others do not.

Students on F-1 & J1 status must follow certain U.S. immigration regulations in order to maintain legal status while studying in the U.S. It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the immigration requirements related to their status. The following immigration terminology may be helpful in understanding immigration status:

Visa Types: F-1 Student, J-1 Exchange Visitor

• F-1 Student: The F-1 immigration category is for students who are pursuing their full degree at SDSU.
• J-1 Exchange Visitor: The J-1 immigration category is for students who are studying at SDSU for 1 or 2 semesters. These students are here for their study abroad experience through a bilateral agreement signed by their university and SDSU.

Immigration Documents: I-20, DS-2019, Visa

• I-20: The I-20 is a multi-purpose immigration document used for a F-1 student to apply for an F-1 visa and obtain F-1 status. The I-20 proves their status while in the United States. The I-20 should always be valid during the student’s course of study.
• DS-2019: The DS-2019 is a multi-purpose immigration document used for a J-1 exchange visitor to apply for a J-1 visa and obtain J-1 status. The DS-2019 proves their status while in the United States. The DS-2019 should always be valid during the student’s course of study.
• Visa: The visa is a sticker placed in the student’s passport at a U.S. Consulate outside of the U.S. The purpose of the visa is to seek entry into the U.S. The visa is presented along with other documents (I-20/DS-2019, passport) to request admissions into the U.S. A visa only needs to be valid at the time of entry/re-entry into the U.S. It does not keep the student in valid “status” in the U.S.

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• Contact International Admissions for questions about the application process, admission status or general Steps to Enroll.
• For prospective J-1 exchange student questions contact the Office of Global Education at [email protected]

Pre-Arrival support from the International Student Center:

• I-20 immigration document issuance to apply for F-1/J-1 student visa.
• The ISC offers pre-arrival webinars on topics related to arrival to San Diego and what to expect. Students receive invitations to these webinars via email.
• Visit the Travel & Reentry website for information about arriving in San Diego and documents required to enter under F-1/J-1 status. 

Other pre-arrival campus resources:

• SDSU Housing and Residential Education
• New Student and Parent Programs (NSPP) (Only for F-1 Students)

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New international students must complete the following requirements with New Student and Parent Programs (NSPP) AND with the International Student Center prior to starting their program. NOTE: J-1 exchange students do not participate in the NSPP orientation programs.

• New Student and Parent Programs (NSPP):
  • Complete Pre-Orientation Modules
  • Attend NSPP New Student Orientation
  • NSPP offers a Parents and Families Orientation
    
    • The above requirements are not required for J-1 exchange students
• International Student Center Check-In & Reception:
  
  • Complete the online F-1/J-1 Student Orientation 
  • Attend the MANDATORY International Student Center (ISC) Welcome & Reception - 

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Student Financial Center is the primary point of contact to resolve questions regarding student accounts and billing issues. They are available virtually via zoom during business hours. 

• • Learn about Student Payment Options
  • Money Matters  is the student financial reference guide published each semester and contains information regarding tuition and fees, important deadlines and more.
  • FERPA regulations (see top of the page) prevents the Student Financial Center from speaking with parents and other family members about personal financial information unless your student is with you, or has released authorization to you. Release of authorization is done via my.SDSU in the "Profile" tile. View the steps to release authorization here.

Please note that lack of payment can affect immigration status. Communicate with students if changes in funding occur and if you are no longer able to sponsor your student fully. If this occurs we recommend that students talk to an ISC Advisor immediately to evaluate options.

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SDSU is fortunate to have its own police department right here on campus. Click on the following links to learn more about the SDSU Police department, how to contact them in case of an emergency, and tips on how to stay safe.

• SDSU Campus Police
• Safety Tips and Resources Video
• University Police Safety Services & Programs

We encourage all students to save the Campus Police phone number to their phone: 1 -619-594-1991. When calling click option 1 to speak with a Campus Police representative 24/7.

For a life threatening emergency situation, call 911 right away.

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Health Insurance Requirement for International Students

California State law, the California State University (CSU) system, and SDSU require all international students to maintain adequate health insurance coverage throughout the duration of their academic program. Therefore, all F-1 and J-1 students are required to purchase the pre-approved policy offered by International Student Health Insurance Plan in order to satisfy the California State University insurance requirement.  Alternate insurance plans, such as through a dependent’s employer or student’s home country are not accepted. We strongly advise against students seeking and purchasing an alternate plan as exceptions to this policy will not be granted.

Student Health Services

Basic medical services are provided at SDSU’s Student Health Service Clinic at no additional cost to students. Click on the links below to learn more about Student Health Services and the Services that they offer at little to no cost. 

• Student Health Services Information for new students
• All Medical Services offered at Student Health Services

LOCATION: Student Health Services Clinic is located at Calpulli Center.

After-Hours Care: For a medical concern after hours students may call the Nurse Advice Line at 858-225-3105, available on evenings, weekends and SDSU holidays.

Medical Emergency? Call 911 - Student Health Services is NOT an emergency room (ER) or trauma center. If students are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, they need to call 911.

Well Being & Mental Health

The SDSU Well-Being & Health Promotion department helps to serve students with their holistic health and well being. Some of their resources you may be interested in are:

• Health & Wellness, Nutrition, & Exercise Resources at SDSU
• Mental and Emotional Health
• Counseling & Psychological Services (C&PS) can help students benefit fully from their SDSU experience by supporting their personal, social, and emotional well-being. C&PS also offers individual and group counseling at no additional cost. 

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Academic Requirements

• Full time enrollment: International students in F-1 & J-1 immigration status are required by immigration law to be enrolled full-time during the regular semesters (Fall and Spring). Full time enrollment = 
  
  • Bachelor’s: 12 units
  • Master’s: 9 units
  • Doctoral: 6 units

* Summer and Winter session enrollment is optional – it is not required – unless you plan to complete your academic program during a summer term, in which case you must follow all full-time enrollment rules.

• Academic Standing: Academic Probation and Academic Disqualification can impact immigration status. For example, if a student is academically disqualified, they will no longer be eligible to enroll in classes and therefore SDSU will not be able to keep the student’s SEVIS record active. If your student is struggling academically it is crucial that they meet with an advisor for support as soon as possible. Click on the below links to learn more about these academic policies:
  • Undergraduate Academic Notice and Disqualification 
  • Graduate Academic Status Probation and Disqualification

Academic Support

• STAR Centers
• SDSU Writing Center
• SDSU Math & Science Learning Center
• Office Hours: Professors offer weekly time when students in their class can come in to ask questions and request support regarding the class. 
• CCA Advisors: All first and second year students at SDSU are assigned a Coordinated Care Advisor (CCA) to support students' successful and smooth transition to the university. Learn more about CCA Advising. 
• Major Advisors: The Major Advisor is a professional staff or faculty advisor who:
  
  • Provides guidance specific to the major and graduation requirements
  • Helps guide students in selecting courses, planning and scheduling major preparation and upper division major courses, and assistance with creating an academic plan to support progress towards graduation. 
  • Only Major Advisors are authorized to provide advice on classes to take to satisfy major requirements.
  • Learn more about Major Advising. 
• Graduate Advisors: Assigned faculty member who helps graduate students with their academic plans and progress.

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Research shows that students who are involved on campus do better academically and socially. SDSU and the ISC offer many opportunities for students to get involved on campus and the SDSU community:

• International Student Center Ambassador Program (ISCAP)
• International Student Advisory Board (ISAB)
• International Student Association (ISA)
• Global Perspective Symposium (GPS)
• ISC Calendar of Events
• Student Life and Leadership:
  
  • Student Organizations

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• Academic Calendar
• SDSU Housing and Residential Education 
• SDSU Dining

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