International Students & Scholars

News Archive

USCIS July 30th Application Fee Increase

Reception for International Spouses

ISS will be closed on Monday, September 3rd for Labor Day.

Orientation Presentations:
F-1 Immigration Regulations Repeat Presentation on Thursday, August 16th will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in Room 202, Carver Hall.
F-1 Presentation PowerPoint

J-1 Immigration Regulations Repeat Presentation on Thursday, August 16th will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in Room 268, Carver Hall.

ISS will be closed Wednesday, July 4.

ISS is closed on Monday, May 28th for Memorial Day.

Limited services May 29-June 1
Four staff members will be attending a professional conference on international education. Appointments will be scheduled only for immigration benefits that must be processed by June 6, 2007. A limited number of students will be seen during walk-in advising Tuesday through Thursday. Friday walk-in advising will not be available. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

2006 Tax Information

Student Job Opportunity:
International Peer Assistant
Please follow these links to apply to assist our international students.
Job Description
Application Form

ISC Executive Board Application 07-08

Immigration Regulations, NSEERS and Travel Workshop
April 16 (Monday)
12:00 pm-1:00 pm
Venue changed to the Oak Room

Renting in Ames Workshop

April 6 (Friday)
12:00 pm-1:00 pm
3538 Memorial Union

Program description:
If you are considering renting an apartment off campus or have recently done so, you need to be aware of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Come hear attorneys from ISU's Student Legal Services talk about what you should know about rental contracts, landlord-tenant relationships, rental insurance, and the possible consequences of that huge party you may want to throw following the Iowa State games for you and 200 of your closest friends.

International Student Council Scholarships

International Student Council is offering scholarships! To apply, please complete the ISC scholarship application form and International Student Financial Need Certification Form(ISFNC). If you have already completed the ISFNC form this year, and it is on file with ISS office, you will not need to do so again. Please indicate if you have previously completed it on your scholarship application.
(Posted 3/8/07)

Spring Break Hours

We will be open during Spring Break (March 12 through 16, 2007) from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Walk-in hours will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 each afternoon.
We will resume our regular 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule on Monday, March 19th. We wish you an enjoyable Spring Break!
(Posted 3/7/07)

WOW: Winning Over Winter!
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
3505 Memorial Union
Friday, February 23, 2007
Iowa can be very cold this time of year. There can be a great temptation to just throw on a jacket and forget your gloves and hat while you run over to the dining hall, the store, or are late to class. Learn about staying warm and avoiding frostbite and colds during the winter. We will also talk about how to drive in winter weather and how to be prepared if you are stranded in your car. Bring your lunch to this informal presentation. If you RSVP to 294-1120, International Students and Scholars will provide your dessert!
(Posted Monday, February 19, 2007)

Phone Excise Tax Refund Information - Revised
(Revised Monday, February 12, 2007)

2006 Tax Information
(Posted Monday, January 29, 2007)

World Soccer Tournament Information
(Posted Monday, January 29, 2007)

Chicago Chartered Bus Trip Spring Break 2007
(Posted Monday, January 8, 2007)

Financial Aid Information Posted
(Posted Thursday, January 11, 2007)

Walk-in Schedule to Change Effective February 5th, 2007
In order to better serve you, effective February 5th, all ISS advisers will be available daily during our new walk-in hours from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. To accommodate this, walk-ins will no longer be offered during the morning hours.
(Posted Monday, January 8, 2007)

Friendships International Information
(Posted Thursday, January 18, 2007)

Welcome new students and scholars!
We at ISS want to welcome you to a new semester and a new year. If you are a new student and have not checked in with our office, please do so as soon as possible. Please come by and see us in Room 3248 of the Memorial Union as soon as you can.
(Posted Monday, January 8, 2007)

Tax Time Approaches
Those of you who worked in the United States during 2006 will soon begin to receive forms and information regarding income tax. Again this year ISS will make the CINTAX software program available to you free of charge to assist in preparation of your taxes. As soon as the program is delivered to us, we will send you an e-mail with your logon and password information. But as many of the government forms are not ready until early February, the software will not be available until then. This year we will also hold several sessions during which we can assist those who need a little more hands-on help with their taxes. Watch our website in early February for more information about these sessions and other tax assistance available through ISS. Remember that the Federal tax deadline for 2006 is not until April 16, 2007. The deadline for the State of Iowa is April 30, 2007. If you have questions about your income taxes, please e-mail dvance@iastate.edu.
(Posted Monday, January 8, 2007)

ORIENTATION AIDE APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
$7/hour to meet new students for Spring Semester. Application is available here or in the ISS Office. Application Deadline is Monday, December 18.
(Posted Monday, December 4, 2006)?

I-WEEK
International Week is here!! Diversity: Together as One is this year's theme for the annual celebration of the many countries and cultures that enrich ISU, the U.S., and the World. Go to the ISC website for a list of all the great events... http://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/isc/
(Posted Wednesday, November 1, 2006)

F.I.S.H- Friday International Student Hospitality Dinners
F.I.S.H- Friday International Student Hospitality Dinners? held at Memorial Lutheran Church, 2228 Lincolnway Cost: $2.00 ($5.00 for family)

Nov. 3, 6 p.m.?Turkish?dinner?including halal (kosher) meat
Nov. 17, 6 p.m. Thanksgiving dinner hosted by Memorial Lutheran Church
Dec. 1, 6 p.m. IFC Cornerstone Church dinner, Brass Band playing Christmas music
(Posted Wednesday, November 1, 2006)

Nov. 9, 5-8 p.m. - Worldly Goods Fundraising and Shopping
Friendships International program is having a fundraising event at the Worldly Goods store on Main Street, 20% of the sales during these 3 hours goes towards the Friendships International program. We will be serving cookies and drinks for all of those that come into shop. Worldly Goods sells goods made by artisans from around the world. Friendships International is a program that unites International students with American families to spend time together and learn about each others cultures.
(Posted Wednesday, November 1, 2006)

CULTURE SHOCK WORKSHOP ON OCTOBER 24.

5:30 to 7 p.m. GOLD ROOM
Feeling tense, nervous, afraid? Having sleep problems -- too much or too little? Experiencing headaches and dizziness? You may have Culture Shock! Come to an interactive session about culture shock and how to defeat it.

Given by Student Counseling and International Students and Scholars. October 24
5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Gold Room Memorial Union
(Posted Wednesday, October 11, 2006)

FREE EVENT!
ALL INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WELCOME!
ISU Horse Barn Tour
Fri. Oct. 13, 11:00-1:00 p.m.
Can come at anytime during these two hours

Anyone interested just show up at the Horse Barn on the corner of Stange Road and Pammell Drive.
North of Kildee Hall
Carrots, apples, and sugar cubes will be provided to feed to the horses.
Any questions contact Klooster@iastate.edu
(Posted Wednesday, October 11, 2006)

FELLOWSHIP FOR NEW AMERICANS
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship For New Americans will support thirty individuals for up to two years of graduate study in any subject anywhere in the United States. You must be a senior in college, hold a bachelor's degree, or be currently enrolled in a graduate program (though not past your second year). Amount: $20,000 maintenance and half tuition. Deadline: November 1, 2006. Eligibility: -- Student must be a "Green Card" holder or naturalized citizen or have two parents who are naturalized citizens. - Applicants must be under the age of 30. For details and to apply, Click Here.

Friendships International
Friendships International is an Organization in which International students are paired with American families. On their own they can plan activities such as cooking, bike riding, playing sports, watching a football game, going to the movies, or shopping together. There are also 3 large group meetings. The idea is to share cultures and enjoy each others company. If interested please contact:

Virginia McCallum at vlee@iastate.edu
294-0378 or
Hayley Klooster at klooster@iastate.edu
294-2711
3249 Memorial Union

English Conversation Partner
English Conversation Partner is an organization in which International students are paired with American students to have an opportunity to improve their English speaking skills. They should meet about once a week at a place and time they choose. They can do activities such as cooking, shopping, playing games, or having dinner. The idea is that through these conversations the international students will have a chance to improve their English and to feel more comfortable speaking English while Americans have a chance to learn about a different culture. If interested please contact:

Virginia McCallum at vlee@iastate.edu
294-0378 or
Anya Kosterina
294-3370
3249 Memorial Union
English Conversation Partner Form

DIRECTOR'S WELCOME
Dear ISU International Students and Scholars: On behalf of International Students and Scholars (ISS), I want to welcome everyone to campus for the start of the 2006-2007 year.

For those of you who are new to campus, either starting a degree program, engaging in exciting and cutting-edge research, or beginning your employment with Iowa State University, we at International Students and Scholars want you to know that we are here to help make your experience at ISU, in Ames, and in the United States as beneficial and rewarding as possible. ISS offers a variety of programs throughout the year to help you become better integrated into the life and fabric on campus and to get to know other international and American students, as well as making new friends in the local Ames and surrounding community. For our continuing students and scholars, we wish you continued success in your studies and work and are here to help you in any way we can. Check out our website for more details throughout the year for ISS and ISU international events and programs.

In addition to our programs, our advisors are here to provide assistance with questions regarding matters as diverse as maintaining your legal nonimmigrant status, applying for US visas abroad, legally working on- and off-campus or reducing your credit load, financial difficulties, health problems, or any other difficulties you may be encountering. If you need additional assistance beyond what we can do, we will help you find the assistance you need. And we are here if you just want to drop by and say hello. We are here for you and would like to see you!

Again, welcome to Iowa State University for the start of the new academic year. We look forward to helping you make it successful and memorable! Go Cyclones!

James Dorsett
Director
(Posted Friday, September 1, 2006)

OPT
If you are graduating or completing your coursework this semester and want to find employment, you should apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) NOW! It takes 3 to 4 months to get OPT approved and your application must reach the Immigration Service Center in Nebraska BEFORE the last day of the semester. Refer to the OPT information on the ISS website, attend the OPT Workshop any Tuesday from 11 a.m. - Noon, (check in with the receptionist in Room 3248), then call 294-1120 to schedule an appointment with an ISS adviser right away.

Click Here for the OPT form
(Updated Thursday, January 29, 2007)

ENGLISH INSTRUCTI