Spring 2020 DEADLINES
- Last day to inquire about Emergency Student Fund - April 20th
- Last day of classes - May 15th
- Earliest possible day to start summer CPT - May 16th
- Last day to apply for CPT in the International Office - June 8th
- Last Day to File Federal Tax Returns - July 15th (extended from April 15)
Are You Ok?
How are you doing? Are your remote classes going ok? These are strange times and we are all affected in different ways. We are working remotely too! We are working hard all day to support all the international students. This includes current students, incoming fall students, and graduates working on OPT and STEM OPT. We thank you for your patience during the transition to remote office life!
Your ISP Team,
Fumiyo, Laura, Ani, Udval, Jennifer, and Brenda
Mandatory Address Update
The International Office is required to keep records on the location of F-1 students. You must inform us of your current address--where you will be living for the rest of the semester. If you have not done so since March 11, please complete this quick form by May 1. This address form is optional for students on other visas, but it is helpful for us to know where you are.
We are asking you where you are currently residing. Whether that be on campus, in your home country, or another residence in the United States. We will also be asking you to provide a start date and end date of each of the residences you are currently residing in or future residences you are planning on going to.
What We Know
- Decisions about events at CalArts are being decided as circumstances allow, with the health and safety of the CalArts community in mind. Here are some things we know. Some things are not yet decided.
- If you are on CPT now, you can continue your internship remotely.
- If you have an on-campus job, you can continue to work remotely
- There has been no information given about the possibility of extending OPT
- NAFSA (the association for international educators) is making a formal request for all the agencies (DHS, ICE, SEVP, USCIS, State Department) to have unified policies
- For CalArts updates see the Educational Continuity page
Summer Emergency Funds Available
The IIE Emergency Student Fund (ESF) is awarding emergency funds to international students who are not able to return to their home countries over the summer break due to the COVID-19 pandemic The ESF will provide grants of $2,500 to selected students who demonstrate a high financial need to cover their living expenses through summer 2020.
Two CalArts students were awarded emergency funds for the spring semester. If you are interested in applying and have questions, please contact our office by April 20 at intlprograms@calarts.edu.
Summer CPT Internship
Have you found an internship at a U.S. company for summer? Don't forget, you must apply for curricular practical training (CPT), even if the work is done remotely.
- A CPT handout and a sample mentor letter are on THE HUB. The form is here.
- If you still have questions about CPT, please e-mail us.
- If your mentor does not have access to CalArts letterhead, the mentor can e-mail us directly with the information that goes in the letter.
- If you have completed two semesters or more at CalArts, you are eligible for CPT.
- You absolutely cannot start working until your CPT is properly authorized on your I-20. CPT cannot be authorized retroactively.
- Even if your internship starts in July or August, you must submit it by the June deadline.
- You must take a short CPT quiz as part of the application The earliest possible day to start working for summer CPT is May 16, 2020.
- The deadline for applying in the International Office is June 8, 2020.
I-20 and Travel Signature Delivery By E-mail
Normally, I-20s need to be original, paper documents with a "wet" original signature. As of March 25, 2020, SEVP is temporarily allowing I-20s to be sent electronically to the e-mail address in SEVIS. If you need an I-20 or a travel signature, please e-mail our office at intlprograms@calarts.edu.
OPT Applications Are Being Approved
OPT applications are already being approved. Please check your OPT case status regularly. Once approved, it will soon say that they are mailing your EAD card. It could take 10-14 business days for them to put it in the mail after approval. USCIS will provide a tracking number on your case status when they mail it. Please track your package to make sure you receive it.
Please send us a copy or photo of your EAD card when you receive it.
If you provided your CalArts mailbox as your mailing address, right now you are still allowed to pick it up by calling Campus Safety first. If you are not allowed to pick it up when it arrives, please let us know.
If you have already left town, you can change the mailing address to a trusted friend's address. It must be a U.S. address. (On the online form, choose I-765, Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student C 3.)
More information about entering employment information in the SEVP Portal will be e-mailed after graduation.
FAQ on OPT (scroll down the page after clicking the link)
STEM OPT Zoom Workshop
If you applied for OPT and your major is eligible for the STEM OPT extension, we will e-mail you about a Zoom workshop in May. If approved, the STEM extension adds two extra years to your OPT time. You can check the CIP code on page one of your I-20, near the name of your major.
Eligible CalArts majors are:
Character Animation - CIP Code 10.0304
Experimental Animation - CIP Code 10.0304
Art and Technology - CIP Code 11.0804
Music Technology - CIP Code 11.0899
MFA: Graphic Design - CIP Code 09.0702
Stay Informed!
CalArts Educational Continuity Page
NAFSA Coronavirus Update Page
Current Information about Visa Status, Travel, Consulate Closure, Policy, etc.
Tax Preparation Options
Here are some additional tax options in case they are needed. We do not recommend any particular service, we are only providing a helpful list. All prices, dates, and services are subject to change.
COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS:
We have made an arrangement with COC for free assistance for our international students this year. Students who used the service reported that they were helpful and patient.
Update: As of now, due to the closure of the college and the IRS extension (July 15 new deadline), and because of COVID-19 pandemic, their operations halted. They are hoping to restart on Saturday, May 2 or Saturday, May 30th, as soon as federal, state, and local mandate of ‘Stay at home’ is lifted. Students can currently make appointments for May, June and 1st half of July.
SPRINTAX:
There is no code for free use this year.
Federal Tax Preparation (1040NR/ 1040NR- EZ) $35.95 and up
State Tax Preparation $25.95 and up
Form 8843 $15.95 and up
ITIN Application $15.95 and up
TURBOTAX:
COST: $0 and up for a federal return, plus $29.99 for each state return.
H&R BLOCK:
COST: $0 and up for a federal return, plus $36.99 each state return.
Free Tax Preparation Assistance
Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is available at College of the Canyons. You can make an appointment. Make sure you have all the required documents ready before your appointment. W-2 and 1098-T forms are available from CalArts by the end of January.
(You may use SPRINTAX or any other online tax prep system but there will not be a SPRINTAX free code this year.)
Coming Soon...
Virtual Walk-in Hour - TBA
FAQ Zoom Meeting - TBA
Ask OPT Questions Zoom Meeting - TBA
STEM OPT Zoom Workshop - May