Updates for International Students

SUMMER CLASS INFORMATION

This email is a follow up to the most recent communication from LTU regarding the summer semester being online classes only. Please read this email in its entirety to clarify what this means to you as an international student. 

Enrollment Requirements

• Summer semester is LTU’s annual vacation term, therefore class enrollment is NOT required for students unless it is their very first or very last semester. If you are not sure if you have to be enrolled or not, please ask & we can verify.
• If your I-20 has a program end date of 08.01.20, then you need to take classes this summer.
• If your I-20 has a program start date of 05.18.20, then you need to take classes this summer.
• If you are starting a new degree program this summer and wish to change your start date to fall semester, please contact admissions@ltu.edu .
• If you want to take classes in the summer, you are welcome to do so. There is no minimum enrollment requirements unless you are required to be enrolled.

Online classes and status

• SEVP is allowing students to temporarily engage in distance learning (online), either from within the US or outside the country due to COVID-19. 
• This means students will maintain their status while continuing with online classes for summer semester whether you stay in the US or depart the US or are already outside of the US.
• SEVP is continuously providing updated guidance as the scope and length of this situation becomes clearer.

Departure

• Students can remain in the US during the summer regardless if you are taking classes or not.
• Students can choose to depart the US for the summer.
• Please keep in mind what kind of online access you have from home and your ability to connect to LTU email & Canvas if you plan on doing online classes over the summer.
• If you depart, you must submit a travel notice to inform IP of your departure. 
• If you are resuming classes in fall 2020, please keep in mind fall classes begin on August 24 th . 
• If you are having problems departing due to circumstances in your home country, we recommend you reach out to your Embassy in the US for advice or assistance.
• Please check travel advisories and up to date information about COVID-19 to ensure your safety. 
• Please be careful and follow safety directions when traveling to ensure your health & well-being. 

Housing

• If you live in University Housing, please make sure to follow their directions & recommendations.
• If you have questions regarding University Housing, please contact housing@ltu.edu
• If you live off campus & want to depart, you will need to speak to your Leasing Office/Agent if you will be leaving prior to the end of your agreement. They will let you know what your options are.

Graduating Students

• If you are graduating in spring or summer 2020 & wish to apply for OPT, or have already applied for OPT, you MUST remain in the US.
• If you do not want to apply for OPT, you can depart at any time and finish your classes online. You can also remain in the US to complete the semester. You still will need to depart the US by the end of your 60 day grace period.
• If you have not applied for OPT, you must apply by the end of your 60 day grace period. Please keep in mind you must complete the online OPT workshop module before your appointment.
• OPT appointments will be done electronically for the immediate future to ensure the health & well-being of both students & staff.   Please email international@ltu.edu when you are ready to apply for OPT, and we will provide instructions on how to submit your documents to us via email.

Please continue to monitor your LTU email for important updates on COVID-19 from LTU. 

If you have any questions/concerns, please email international@ltu.edu

Kalie Davio,
Director of International Programs

IMPORTANT GUIDANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FROM SEVIS

Online classes and status

• SEVP is being flexible and allowing schools to make temporary procedural changes for the remainder of the semester.
• SEVP is allowing students to temporarily engage in distance learning (online), either from within the US or outside the country due to COVID-19.
• This means students will maintain their status while continuing with online classes for the remainder of this semester whether you stay in the US or depart the US.
• SEVP is continuously providing updated guidance as the scope and length of this situation becomes clearer.

Departure

• Students can remain in the US for the remainder of the semester to complete the online classes OR students can chose to depart the US and complete the remainder of the semester online from home.
• Please keep in mind US Embassies abroad are currently closed. If your visa is expired, you may not be able to renew it, so we recommend staying in the US at this time.
•   If you depart, you must submit a  travel notice  to inform IP of your departure.    If you depart, you must submit a  travel notice  to inform IP of your departure.
• If you are resuming classes in fall 2020, please keep in mind fall classes begin on August 24 th .
• If you are taking summer 2020 courses, those resume on May 18 th .  Students with a summer 2020 program end date, need to take on campus classes in their final semester. They cannot be enrolled in online only classes summer 2020.
• Please check travel advisories and up to date information about COVID-19 to ensure your safety.
• Please be careful and follow safety directions when traveling to ensure your health & well-being.  

Graduating Students

• Ι f you do not want to apply for OPT, you can depart at any time and finish your classes online. You can also remain in the US to complete the semester. You still will need to depart the US by the end of your 60 day grace period.
• If you are graduating & wish to apply for OPT, or have already applied for OPT, you MUST remain in the US. You cannot apply for OPT outside of the US
• If you have not applied for OPT, but wish to do so, you can apply any time from now until mid July. Please keep in mind that you must complete the online OPT workshop module before your appointment.
• OPT appointments will be done electronically for the immediate future to ensure the health & well-being of both students & staff. Please email  international@ltu.edu  when you are ready to apply for OPT, and we will provide instructions on how to submit your documents to us via email.

Kevin Finn
Dean of Students

This is a follow up to the most recent communication from LTU regarding the remainder of the semester due to COVID-19. Please read this message in its entirety to clarify what this means to you as a Chinese student.

PROBLEMS GETTING ONLINE FROM CHINA

We are aware that there can be limited online connectivity from certain areas of China. LTU’s Chinese students need to consider the following before making the decision to go home and complete the rest of the semester from China:

• Consider what type of online access you have from home and your ability to connect to LTU email & Canvas.
• If you may have issues, we recommend you remain in the U.S. to ensure you have reliable online access to complete your classes this semester.
• Students who choose to go home to China and encounter problems connecting with LTU online will not be able to complete the semester & will not be able to request a refund for any tuition or fees.
• If you decide to depart the U.S., please see our earlier communication about submitting a  travel notice  to notify us of your departure, and about when you need to return to resume on-campus classes.

Please continue to monitor your LTU email for important updates on COVID-19 from LTU.

If you have any questions/concerns, please email  international@ltu.edu .

Office of International Programs
Lawrence Technological University