ISS Listserv
MAR 13, 2008
ISS LISTSERV MENU: No Movie / U.S. Public Assistance / Civil Rights Workshops / TAX workshops / Loans for Latin Students / Cultural Night / Study in Costa Rica / NASA Event
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THERE WILL BE NO SUAB MOVIE THIS WEEK……………………………..DUE TO IMPENDING SPRING BREAK. HAVE FUN but be safe!!!
Check out the SUAB website for more info and upcoming events.
http://www.orgs.okstate.edu/suab/
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ACCEPTING US. GOVERNMENT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OR PUBLIC BENEFITS
Just a reminder as an F-1 and J-1 student or scholar you and your families are not eligible for “public aid or assistance” as non-immigrants in the U.S. Common forms of “public aid or assistance” are subsidized housing, food stamps, medical care, and nutritious foods for pregnant women and children.
When you accept “public aid or assistance” benefits it may cause you to lose your legal status in the United States and prevent your lawful re-entry into this country. At the time you applied for an F or J status you certified to the U.S. Consulate that you and your family had sufficient funds to support yourselves while pursuing the degree in the U.S.
At present cooperation between state social service agencies and the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) and Department of State make it possible for a Port of Entry inspector or U.S. Consular officer to verify that a student and his/her family have accepted “public aid or assistance” benefits. The acceptance of “public aid or assistance” benefits is interpreted that the student is unable to meet his or her financial obligations and which makes him or herself ineligible for F-1 or J-1 status.
You may have heard from other international families that social service agencies, hospitals or public housing administrators may offer such assistance and not realize that non-immigrants are ineligible for “public aid or assistance” benefits. Additionally, even though U.S. born children of non-immigrant parents may be eligible for pre and post-natal public benefits, the non-immigrant parents may still be denied visas or re-entry based upon the child’s receiving those benefits. Again this could be interpreted as the non-immigrant family not being able to meet their financial obligations despite the child being born as a U.S. citizen.
In order to avoid financial difficulties it is suggested that you and your family:
1) purchase health insurance
2) carefully budget your financial resources during your educational period
3) seek advice about financial concerns before a crisis arises.
Women who become pregnant before medical insurance is purchased will not be covered under most insurance plans because the pregnancy is a pre-existing condition. If the family cannot afford the birth of the child in the U.S. another option would be to return home for the duration of the pregnancy and the delivery.
If you have additional questions or concerns please contact the ISS office at 405-744-5954.
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CIVIL RIGHTS WORKSHOPS
The Muslim Student Association and CAIR present Civil Rights Workshops on Immigration & Employment Discrimination.
The event will be held Thursday, March 13 at 7 pm in Classroom Building 313
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TAX HELP FOR INTERNATIONALS 2008 WORKSHOPS TO SHOW YOU HOW TO USE SPECIAL SOFTWARE AND HOW TO COMPLETE OKLAHOMA TAX FORMS
Bring any tax forms you have such as W-2 or 1042-S or 1099. You must know your passport number. Please also bring a hard copy of your last year’s tax return.
| Monday | March 17 | Math Sc. Comp. Lab | 1.00 PM |
| Tuesday | March 25 | CLB Computer Lab | 7.00 PM |
| Thursday | April 3 | CLB Computer Lab | 7.00 PM |
| Saturday | April 12 | CLB Computer Lab | 1.00 PM |
SPONSORED BY VITA FOR INTERNATIONALS
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RESOURCES ON INTEREST-FREE STUDENT LOANS
Applications accepted year-round. The Rowe Fund is the student loan program of the Organization of American States. It awards interest-free loans to qualified persons from Latin American and Caribbean countries to help finance graduate, postgraduate, and the final two years of undergraduate studies at accredited universities within the United States.
For more information visit the website at http://www.oas.org/rowe/purpose.asp
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This week at iSo
Have a good and safe Spring Break!
The International Student Organization is hosting its BIGGEST event of the year: Cultural Night 2008 to welcome students back after Spring Break. The event will be held at 7pm Friday, March 28th and Saturday, March 29th in the Seretean Center. This two night extravaganza is an opportunity for our 14 International Area Clubs to display their respective cultures and spotlight the tremendous diversity found right here in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Cultural Night is the culmination of both fall and spring semesters’ long list of international events across campus. This year, our theme is “Unity in Diversity.”
Tickets are NOW available at Chi-O-Clock or in front of Student Union Bookstore (11am -2pm) and Adams Market (6pm- 7pm) (not including Spring break March 17- March 21). To reserve tickets, call us at 405-744-6506 or e-mail iso@orgs.okstate.edu. On Friday, tickets are $8/person and $3/ person under 18. On Saturday, tickets are $8/person. Cash and Bursar Charge are accepted.
Check out our Web site at www.orgs.okstate.edu/iSo
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STUDY IN COSTA RICA
Dear Students:
The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources would like to invite you to participate in a nine-day Study Abroad program in Costa Rica . This course presents an opportunity to make new friends and experience the wonders of Central America .
Costa Rica Study Abroad Course – AG 3080 (I) / AGEC 5990
Earn three Graduate Credits and Visit Costa Rica
Date of Travel: Monday June 16, 2008 – June 24, 2008
Three Undergraduate/Graduate Credits: You will earn three undergraduate credits from OSU (satisfies the “I” international dimension of the general education requirements at OSU).
Course Cost: Total $2,690 (trip cost which includes international airfare, tuition, room and board, admission fees, local transportation). This is one of the lowest study abroad courses offered!
Scholarships: You will be eligible to apply for $500.00 scholarships from the Study Abroad Office at OSU on a first-come-first-served basis (more detailed info is attached). Also, check with your academic advisor for the availability of college-level scholarships.
If you are interested, in order to save your spot, fill out the application form from the website given below and pay the deposit of $150.00. The full payment needs to be at my office by March 25. The application is available on the following website:
http://internationalagprograms.okstate.edu/studyabroad/Faculty_Advisors_Page.htm
Go to the last item: “Click Here for An Application Form to Give To Interested Students”. Please mail your application to my address below.
Dr. Shida Henneberry, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, 308 Ag Hall.
Contact me (srh@okstate.edu, 744-6178) if you are interested.
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NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION EVENT
The NASA is hosting a Stompdance and Stickball Exhibition Saturday, March 29. The Schedule of events is as follows:
1:00Pm Stickball OSU Rugby Fields
6:00Pm Dinner SU Starlight Terrace
7:00PM Stompdance SU Starlight Terrace
For more information contact: Ashleigh Coser, at 405-413-3938 acoser@okstate.edu or Robin Williams at 405-744-0401 robin.starr.williams@okstate.edu