The first step on becoming a Lyon College student is to complete the Student Application and pay the$50 application fee!
F-1 visa students must submit proof of high school completion or its equivalent and/or college-level work at the time of admission.
All applicants should follow the first-year or transfer application process. The first additional requirement for international student applicants is to demonstrate English proficiency. To determine English proficiency, Lyon requires all international students to provide one of the following official test scores:
Prospective F-1 students must have the financial resources to live and study in the United States. This includes being able to cover the cost of tuition, books, living expenses and travel.
Complete the Declaration and Confirmation of Financial Resources form and provide evidence that sufficient funds are available to meet Lyon College costs and personal living expenses. The federal government requires that a student must be prepared to finance his or her study and stay in the United States without help from the College. Each student must provide in English:
The Form I-20is an important document that international students need to keep safe from the time they receive it through the duration of their time in the United States. It is required to perform many of the actions students need to take throughout the international student process. The Form I- 20 allows international students to:
All prospective F-1 students are required to pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee before entering the United States. To obtain an I-901 SEVIS Fee youmust receive an I-20 from your DSO. To pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee, visit FMJfee.com to access the SEVIS Form I-901.
To pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee, all prospective students will need to provide:
The Form I-20 lists your program start date; you are allowed to enter the country thirty (30) days before your program start date. F-1 student visas can be issued up to three hundred sixty-five (365) days in advance. The type of student visa must match the type of Form I-20 presented. Listed below are the steps to obtain a Visa:
Required documentation to gather and prepare before your interview:
All international students are responsible for complying with the terms and conditions of their visa status in the U.S. A student's status directly relates to the intended purpose of their stay. Students must not take any action that distracts from that purpose and must maintain their F-1 immigration status by assuming the following responsibilities.
Upon arriving in the United States students must immediately contact their designated school official (DSO). Students are not permitted to enter the United States more than 30 days before their program of study begins. When the students arrive on campus premises, they must contact their DSO again. This should be completed no later than the program start date listed on their Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.
Every F-1 student must pursue full course study each term and make normal progress toward completing the program of study. Lyon requires one hundred and twenty (120) semester credits to graduate. The minimum course load to be considered a full-time student is twelve (12) credits per semester. An F-1 program of study must include a minimum duration of: Thirty weeks of instructional time for a program offered in credit hours.
An F-1 program of study must include a minimum duration of: Thirty weeks ofinstructional time for a program offered in credit hours.
Students must not drop a course and become less than full-time without prior authorization from the International Office. Please note that there are very limited circumstances in which pursuing less than full-time study is allowed. Students must get authorization from the International Office before taking a leave of absence or medical leave.
Students must fill out the Reduced Course Load form and be granted permission from the International Office for an RCL before dropping below full-time enrollment. To obtain an RCL you must meet one of the following circumstances:
This exception may be used nonstopor at different times during a program level.
Students will need to speak with their DSO about eligibility and obtain permission during each term they wish to reduce their course load. RCL authorization can only be applied to one term or semester at a time. Dropping a full course of study without proper authorizations could jeopardize a student's status in SEVIS. If additional time is needed, a new application with new documentation is required for any subsequent semester. You are limited by regulation to a total of 12 months of approved RCL time during your degree program.
When meeting with their DSO, students must provide information and documentation that supports their qualifying circumstance. If a student files a medical exemption, they must provide a letter from a doctor or similar medical professional.
Students may only work when authorized by a DSO in some cases, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in others.If you choose to work without authorization, you will be forced to leave the United States immediately, and you may not be able to re-enter the United States at a later date.
A student must obtain prior written authorization from the International Office for other types of employment. F-1 students in good standing are eligible for on-campus employment. Employment is limited to 20 hours per week when school is in session and can increase to full-time during official holidays and vacations.
Students are eligible for curricular practical training (CPT) at either the undergraduate or the graduate level during the program of study. CPT employment must be directly related to a student's major area of study and a part of an established curriculum.
Students must report any change of residential address to the International Office within 10 days of the change. F-1 students may report their address changes in theForm I-20/SEVIS Updates & Reprints.
A student's DSO should be the first person they talk to and consult with if they have any questions regarding the legal requirements of their stay in the United States.
Students should speak with the DSO if they are planning to do any of the following:
Students who need additional time to complete their programs of study must request and be granted a program extension before the current expiration date/program end date on the Form I-20.
F-1 students must complete at least one full academic year at Lyon College to be eligible for annual vacation. Additionally, students must intend to register for classes in the academic term following their annual vacation.
F-1 student eligibility for annual vacation, off-campus employment, and practical training is dependent upon the student having completed at least one academic year. A full academic year at Lyon College normally consists of two (2) terms or semesters: fall, and spring. The fall and spring terms are normally sixteen (16) weeks long and typically begin in mid-August and mid-January. The summer term consists of two sub-terms of four to five (4-5) weeks each usually beginning at the end of May and the second at the end of June or early July.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) assigns nine-digit Social Security numbers (SSNs) to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible nonimmigrant workers. SSNs are used to report wages to the government, tracks Social Security benefits, and other identification purposes. Every F-1 student to whom U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants employment authorization must obtain an SSN. The steps to retrieve an SSN include:
Students will need firstly to fill out the Social Security Number Request form and then fill out theSSN Request form to initiate the process.
Students may acquire a driver's license by applying at a local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). While each state may vary in its process, the basic steps are similar.
To obtain a driver's license the student must:
When applying for a driver's license, the following documents in their original form are required:
Airport pickup services are available to students who apply. Lyon College has designated and trained students who provide pick-up and drop-off transportation.
Students who are applying to utilize the service must fill out the transportation form detailing the arrival time and location amongst other important information. The school will accommodate transportation to the best of their ability. If any problems should arise, the student will be contacted.
Batesville does not currently offer any public transportation, however, the International Office can provide assistance in transporting students to and from appointments in town. Bike rentals are also available from the Lyon Education and Adventure Program (LEAP).
Lyon Lift, in addition to providing airport transportation, offers rides to the localWalmart for grocery shopping.
The International Office at Lyon College strives to provide a holistic education, focusing on all aspects of personal development. Supporting the intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual growth of our students is our priority.
The International Student Association (ISA) is a club that promotes social diversity, inclusivity, and cultural exchange. All international students are highly encouraged to engage and participate in club events and programs. ISA consists of domestic students who are interested in other cultures as well as international students who want to be more involved around campus. the association primarily focuses on the well-being and collaboration of international students.
Hosted events include:
As international students on an F-1 student visa, you need to be aware of the various restrictions surrounding work/employment in the U.S. “Work” does not necessarily have to be paid and depends on many factors. Do not assume that work authorization is not necessary even if you are not being paid.
Active F-1 students may apply for on-campus employment up to 30 days before the start of classes. In order to apply, talk to your DSO. If approved, your DSO will provide you with a letter of approval. Take this letter from your DSO and a job offer letter from your employer toapply for a Social Security Number(SSN). All students who wish to work must apply for a Social Security Number.
If you participate in on-campus employment, you may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session.
Off-campus employment is work that takes place outside of a school campus. Off-campus employment is only available to F-1 students who have completed at least one full academic year of their program of study, and who have a severe economic hardship that qualifies for the Department of Homeland Security’s emergent circumstances.
To apply for off-campus employment, you must explain your economic hardship situation and receive approval to work from your DSO. If your DSO determines that the situation applies, he or she will recommend you and give you an updated Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status.”
Once you have the new Form I-20, you must file a Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” with USCISwithin 30 days of receiving your recommendation.
If USCIS approves you to work, they will send you a Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document,” (EAD)with the dates that you may work off-campus.
Please note that you cannot begin to work while the Form I-765 is pending with USCIS. If you are approved, you may work 20 hours per week when school is in session
Classification of CPT include:
Students are eligible for twelve (12) months of OPT per degree level earned in the U.S. Students must spend a full academic year in F-1 status before qualifying for OPT. OPT may be used before or after graduation, or a combination of both. There are two (2) classifications of OPT available for students:
A student is eligible for OPT if:
While on OPT, a student is required to report the following to their DSO:
In direct international exchanges, an agreement between Lyon College and a university abroad allows the two institutions to enroll each other's students. The main benefit of an exchange from a student perspective is that it allows students studying overseas to pay tuition to their home university and room and board costs to the host institution, with a guarantee that all credits earned abroad will transfer to the home institution.
Direct Exchange Institutions include:
Lyon College has a membership with various study abroad provider organizations. In turn, they offer Lyon College students discounted prices for study abroad programs. The international university could charge you $15,000+ more per semester.
Third-Party Organizations include:
Lyon faculty may offer trips abroad related to a class or field of study. These trips are typically two to four (2-4) weeks during a semester or over the summer. Costs are normally under $2,000.
Another avenue of study abroad available to Lyon College students is to study at a particular foreign university or educational institution for a period of one month to one semester. At a study abroad center, some of the student's classes will be taught by Lyon faculty and some may be taught by visiting professors from other universities by host institution faculty. Normally a study session at a center will allow students to earn a minimum of six (6) credit hours.
The biggest difference between programs is cost.
Institutions include:
The first step of the application process is completing the Study Abroad Application and returning it to the Office of International Education.
After accepting the study abroad program of your choice, there are a number of detailsyou must adhere to. Some requirements may differ depending on the program youchoose. Some programs may require proof of financial means to cover your stay,copies of your passport, pre-registration, etc. In most cases, programs will require youto have a visa from the country you will study in. The price of a study visa will vary bycountry but will most likely cost hundreds of dollars. Some visas will require anin-person interview and proof of enrollment. If required, reach out to the Office ofInternational Education for assistance.
After acceptance of a Trip you must complete the following requirements:
Returning home after living abroad can be difficult. Just as students have to adjust to living abroad in a new environment, there may be a period of readjustment upon returning home.
Lyon values the experiences students gain abroad and welcomes the sharing of international perspectives and cultural experiences. Speaking with International Office of Education or Academic Advisors is encouraged to help returning students with reentry.
Students may visit the International Education Returnees Page on MyLyon for more information regarding reverse culture shock, strategies for adapting upon reentry, how students may go abroad again, and some challenges students may face upon reentry.
Health care in the United States can be very expensive due to privatized costs. A doctor visit or stay at the hospital can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars, so health insurance provides a solution to help reduce costs.
Under health insurance, customers typically pay an upfront premium to a health insurance company which allows them to essentially share risk with other customers. These shared expenses can cover a customer's health care expenses.
Annual/Lifetime Maximum -the maximum amount the insurance company will pay to cover your eligible bills. You will be responsible for expenses after this amount is reached.
Coinsurance - the percentage of your bill that the insurance company covers after you pay the deductible.
Deductible -the portion of expenses you are responsible for paying before the insurance company will cover benefits
Deductible per Policy Period -the amount you will have to pay before each policy period before your insurance will start covering expenses.
Maximum Out of Pocket -the maximum you would be required to pay during a policy period for covered treatments/services according to the benefit limits of your plan.
Benefit Period -the duration of time during which an insurance policyholder may file and receive payment for a covered event.
Copayment -the fee you pay for specific medical expenses.
Academic Health Plans - Coming Soon...
Select the appropriate form for the task you wish to execute. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the International Education Office directly at International@lyon.edu.
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