Parents & Family
Welcome, parents and family of international students!
The International Student Center (ISC) welcomes parents and families to 色情视频! Transitioning to college can be challenging for both the student and their families and we are aware of the added challenges that arise for students who are coming from abroad. We want to reassure you that here at the International Student Center we offer many services to help students have a smooth transition to life in the U.S. and at 色情视频. We like to think of ourselves as the student鈥檚 home away from home and we will do our best to support your student and connect them to the many resources that 色情视频 has to offer through their journey here with us.
Privacy of Student Information:
Please note that in the U.S. there are laws under the that protect the privacy of students and prohibits university staff from giving out information about student records, mental health and immigration status to anyone, other than the student. FERPA gives students the ability to release their education records to third parties, such as a parent, guardian, spouse, etc. Students can to several on campus offices through their my.sdsu account.
The ISC supports international students maintaining F-1 & J-1 immigration status. Status is the legal standing of a visa holder in the United States. Different statuses allow different purposes for being in the United States. Some allow study, employment, and other benefits, others do not.
Students on F-1 & J1 status must follow certain U.S. immigration regulations in order to maintain legal status while studying in the U.S. It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the immigration requirements related to their status. The following immigration terminology may be helpful in understanding immigration status:
Visa Types: F-1 Student, J-1 Exchange Visitor
- F-1 Student: The F-1 immigration category is for students who are pursuing their full degree at 色情视频.
- J-1 Exchange Visitor: The J-1 immigration category is for students who are studying at 色情视频 for 1 or 2 semesters. These students are here for their study abroad experience through a bilateral agreement signed by their university and 色情视频.
Immigration Documents: I-20, DS-2019, Visa
- I-20: The I-20 is a multi-purpose immigration document used for a F-1 student to apply for an F-1 visa and obtain F-1 status. The I-20 proves their status while in the United States. The I-20 should always be valid during the student鈥檚 course of study.
- DS-2019: The DS-2019 is a multi-purpose immigration document used for a J-1 exchange visitor to apply for a J-1 visa and obtain J-1 status. The DS-2019 proves their status while in the United States. The DS-2019 should always be valid during the student鈥檚 course of study.
- Visa: The visa is a sticker placed in the student鈥檚 passport at a U.S. Consulate outside of the U.S. The purpose of the visa is to seek entry into the U.S. The visa is presented along with other documents (I-20/DS-2019, passport) to request admissions into the U.S. A visa only needs to be valid at the time of entry/re-entry into the U.S. It does not keep the student in valid 鈥渟tatus鈥 in the U.S.
- Contact for questions about the application process, admission status or general Steps to Enroll.
- For prospective J-1 exchange student questions contact the Office of Global Education at [email protected]
Pre-Arrival support from the International Student Center:
- I-20 immigration document issuance to apply for F-1/J-1 student visa.
- The ISC offers pre-arrival webinars on topics related to arrival to San Diego and what to expect. Students receive invitations to these webinars via email.
- Visit the Travel & Reentry website for information about arriving in San Diego and documents required to enter under F-1/J-1 status.
Other pre-arrival campus resources:
- (Only for F-1 Students)
New international students must complete the following requirements with AND with the International Student Center prior to starting their program. NOTE: J-1 exchange students do not participate in the NSPP orientation programs.
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- Complete Pre-Orientation Modules
- Attend NSPP New Student Orientation
- NSPP offers a
- The above requirements are not required for J-1 exchange students
- International Student Center Check-In & Reception:
- Complete the online F-1/J-1 Student Orientation
- Attend the MANDATORY International Student Center (ISC) Welcome & Reception -
is the primary point of contact to resolve questions regarding student accounts and billing issues. They are available virtually via zoom during business hours.
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- Learn about
- is the student financial reference guide published each semester and contains information regarding tuition and fees, important deadlines and more.
- FERPA regulations (see top of the page) prevents the Student Financial Center from speaking with parents and other family members about personal financial information unless your student is with you, or has released authorization to you. Release of authorization is done via my.色情视频 in the "Profile" tile. View the steps to release authorization .
Please note that lack of payment can affect immigration status. Communicate with students if changes in funding occur and if you are no longer able to sponsor your student fully. If this occurs we recommend that students talk to an ISC Advisor immediately to evaluate options.
色情视频 is fortunate to have its own police department right here on campus. Click on the following links to learn more about the 色情视频 Police department, how to contact them in case of an emergency, and tips on how to stay safe.
We encourage all students to save the Campus Police phone number to their phone: 1 -619-594-1991. When calling click option 1 to speak with a Campus Police representative 24/7.
For a life threatening emergency situation, call 911 right away.
Health Insurance Requirement for International Students
California State law, the California State University (CSU) system, and 色情视频 require all international students to maintain adequate health insurance coverage throughout the duration of their academic program. Therefore, all F-1 and J-1 students are required to purchase the pre-approved policy offered by International Student Health Insurance Plan in order to satisfy the California State University insurance requirement. Alternate insurance plans, such as through a dependent鈥檚 employer or student鈥檚 home country are not accepted. We strongly advise against students seeking and purchasing an alternate plan as exceptions to this policy will not be granted.
Student Health Services
Basic medical services are provided at at no additional cost to students. Click on the links below to learn more about Student Health Services and the Services that they offer at little to no cost.
LOCATION: Student Health Services Clinic is located at
After-Hours Care: For a medical concern after hours students may call the Nurse Advice Line at 858-225-3105, available on evenings, weekends and 色情视频 holidays.
Medical Emergency? Call 911 - Student Health Services is NOT an emergency room (ER) or trauma center. If students are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, they need to call 911.
Well Being & Mental Health
The 色情视频 department helps to serve students with their holistic health and well being. Some of their resources you may be interested in are:
- can help students benefit fully from their 色情视频 experience by supporting their personal, social, and emotional well-being. C&PS also offers individual and group counseling at no additional cost.
Academic Requirements
- Full time enrollment: International students in F-1 & J-1 immigration status are required by immigration law to be enrolled full-time during the regular semesters (Fall and Spring). Full time enrollment =
- Bachelor鈥檚: 12 units
- Master鈥檚: 9 units
- Doctoral: 6 units
* Summer and Winter session enrollment is optional 鈥 it is not required 鈥 unless you plan to complete your academic program during a summer term, in which case you must follow all full-time enrollment rules.
- Academic Standing: Academic Probation and Academic Disqualification can impact immigration status. For example, if a student is academically disqualified, they will no longer be eligible to enroll in classes and therefore 色情视频 will not be able to keep the student鈥檚 SEVIS record active. If your student is struggling academically it is crucial that they meet with an advisor for support as soon as possible. Click on the below links to learn more about these academic policies:
Academic Support
- Office Hours: Professors offer weekly time when students in their class can come in to ask questions and request support regarding the class.
- CCA Advisors: All first and second year students at 色情视频 are assigned a Coordinated Care Advisor (CCA) to support students' successful and smooth transition to the university.
- Major Advisors: The Major Advisor is a professional staff or faculty advisor who:
- Provides guidance specific to the major and graduation requirements
- Helps guide students in selecting courses, planning and scheduling major preparation and upper division major courses, and assistance with creating an academic plan to support progress towards graduation.
- Only Major Advisors are authorized to provide advice on classes to take to satisfy major requirements.
- Graduate Advisors: Assigned faculty member who helps graduate students with their academic plans and progress.
Research shows that students who are involved on campus do better academically and socially. 色情视频 and the ISC offer many opportunities for students to get involved on campus and the 色情视频 community:
Do you have concerns about your student's safety?
Link to information about:
Contact us for answers
Please feel free to contact us at any time. We're here to answer your questions and provide any information you may need.