Skip to main content
  • Contact ISSO

    • ISSO Newsletter: April 2013

    The ISSO sends out a monthly web-based newsletter. It contains the latest information about immigration and ISSO services, as well as important reminders about work authorization, visa applications, and more. Please read it! View the ISSO newsletter archive here.

    Newsletter Contents:

    1. ISSO Anonymous Survey: We Want to Hear from You
    2. Immigration News and Reminders
      Travel Reminders: Leaving the U.S. for Summer?
      Planning on working OFF-campus this Summer?
      Graduating Soon?: Discuss your Future Plans with ISSO!
      Check your Documents: Is your I-20 or DS-2019 expiring?
      Reminder: You must update your address with the ISSO! RECENT SCAM! Caller to International student claiming to be "USCIS"!
    3. Tax Information: April 15 Deadline!
      General Tax Information
      U.S. Federal Tax Forms
      Accessing the Software
      New York State Forms
      W-2 and 1042-S
      1098-T
      Warning: Identity Theft Scam disguised as tax refund!!
    4. Upcoming ISSO Programs
      Highlight: Reception for Graduating International Students (May 6)
      Spring/Summer Program Schedule
    5. August Orientation Coming Soon: We Need Your Help!
      Undergrads: PREPARE Volunteer Signup Info
      Int'l Grad Orientation Volunteers
      Int'l Grad Orientation Student Organization Fair
    6. From Gannett: Put the Spring Back Into Your Steps!
    7. EISS Summer English Program
    8. Let's Talk: CAPS off-site counseling
    9. Have Immigration Questions?: Come to ISSO Office Hours




    ISSO Anonymous Survey: We Want to Hear from You

     

    Dear International Students, Academic Staff and Family Members,

    The ISSO wants to hear from you! We invite you to take our anonymous survey, and give us your valuable feedback concerning ISSO programming and services.

    Anonymous ISSO Survey 2013

    If you have not already done so, please complete this survey soon, as we will close it around the end of April.

    Immigration News




    Travel Reminders: Leaving the U.S. for the Summer?
    Make sure you have the correct Re-Entry Documents!!! If you will be leaving and re-entering the U.S., PLEASE be sure that you have all the documents for re-entry as described on these web pages:


    Planning to work OFF-campus this summer?
    F-1 Students: If you are planning to work OFF-campus this summer you MUST APPLY for work authorization through the ISSO. Read about F-1 work authorization here.

    J-1 students: If you are planning to work OFF-campus this summer you MUST APPLY for work authorization through the ISSO. If your DS-2019 form was issued by Cornell, you may read about J-1 student off-campus work authorization, known as "Academic Training," and download an application from our J-1 Academic Training web pages. If your DS-2019 is not issued by Cornell University, you must contact your sponsor (whoever issued your DS-2019) to discuss whether or not Academic Training is allowed.


    Graduating Soon?: Discuss your Future Plans with ISSO!
    If you are graduating from Cornell this May or August, and you plan to stay in the U.S. to either work or to pursue another degree, please come to the ISSO to discuss your plans. In order to maintain your valid immigration status in the U.S., there are specific procedures you will need to complete in order to do any of the following:

    Check with the ISSO advisor on duty about any of the above or any other plans you may have after you graduate.


    Check your Documents: Is anything expiring?

    Please take a moment to check your documents. If your I-20 or DS-2019 is about to expire and you know you will need more time to complete your academic, please come to the ISSO to complete an F-1 Program Extension or a J-1 Student Program Extension. It is very important that you do so before your current documents expire!! If your I-20 or DS-2019 is due to expire in May and you intend to remain at Cornell next semester, you should do an extension NOW. If you fail to complete an extension, you will be out of legal immigration status.

    If it also very important that you keep your passport current. If it will expire in the near future, make plans to extend or renew it. If you aren’t making a trip home soon, contact your country’s consulate here in the United States for instructions on extending your passport.


    Reminder: You must update your address with the ISSO!
    Anyone in F-1 or J-1 status at Cornell MUST update your address with the ISSO when you move by filling in our on line address form. If you haven't updated your address with the ISSO since moving, do it now!


    RECENT SCAM! Caller to International student claiming to be "USCIS"!!
    Our professional organization recently let us know of a recent scam call to an international student. Read the details here!



    Tax Information


    Read the ISSO tax information here.

    Read the tax frequently asked questions here.

    Tax season is here! The deadline to file your tax return is April 15, 2013

    If this will be your first time filing tax forms in the U.S., or if you are confused about the U.S. tax system, please click here and start by reading through our TAX FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) here.

    U.S FEDERAL TAX forms:
    The ISSO has purchased web based software for all internationals in the Cornell Community to assist with filing U.S. Federal NON-RESIDENT Tax Forms. All internationals temporarily residing in the U.S. are required to file at least one U.S. Federal Tax Form (the 8843) even if you were not employed. The tax software will help you fill out that form and will determine if you need to fill out other forms as well. To determine if you are Non-Resident for tax purposes, click here.

    TO ACCESS THE SOFTWARE:
    Go to our tax page. Click here to get to our tax information page and to read important information about what you need before you fill in the tax forms using the software. You will need your Cornell net id and password to get to the page that has our "access code" for the windstar tax software.

    NEW YORK STATE TAX forms:
    The software described above does NOT complete New York State tax forms. Click here for everything you need to file your New York State tax forms. (PLEASE NOTE: You must complete your federal tax form BEFORE you may complete your New York State tax form.)

    Questions about W-2s and 1042s's:
    Click here for any questions regarding W-2 and / or 1042s forms.

    Questions about the 1098-T:
    Click here for any questions regarding the 1098-T form. Most international students file U.S. tax forms as Non-Residents and should IGNORE the 1098-T form. The 1098-T form is a tax document that Cornell fills out to reports to the student (and the IRS) any tuition charges and financial aid for a calendar year. Cornell University issues 1098-T forms “Tuition Statement”, to all students at Cornell, including foreign nationals, when the following criteria is met; tuition charges exceed financial aid.

    The 1098-T form assists students in evaluating whether s/he is eligible for one of the following educational credits, the Hope Credit or Life Time Learning Credit. Unfortunately, any international who is filing tax returns as a Non-Resident for Tax purposes, is NOT eligible for any of these educational credits and you should ignore the 1098-T form. For more information read here.



    Tax Refund Spam Emails!

    We want to warn you of an identity theft hoax that is targeting internationals. This one comes to you as an email notification from someone with an email address with "irs.org" in it. In the email, they say that you are eligible for a tax refund and that therefore you need to sent them information such as your SSN and the PIN # of my ATM Card. DO NOT RESPOND AND DO NOT SEND ANY INFORMATION. This is absolutely a scam.

    If you ever receive any request from an office claiming to be related to a U.S. government office, please do check with us first or with an attorney. In general, the various branches of the U.S. government do not contact you by email unless you are already in correspondence with a particular individual.

    You may find the following links helpful which are on identity theft and fraud:



    Upcoming ISSO Programs



    Highlight: Reception for Graduating International Students

    Reception for Graduating International Students
    Thursday, May 6, 2013, 5:00 PM
    Clark Atrium, Physical Sciences Building

    Are you graduating in May or August 2013, or did you graduate in December 2012?

    If so, we cordially invite you to the annual Reception for Graduating International Students. This reception for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students will honor the contributions and achievements of all international students at Cornell. Graduating students are welcome to invite a spouse or partner, and a faculty guest.

    The Reception will take place on the evening of Monday, May 6th, starting at 5:00 PM in Clark Atrium in the Physical Sciences Building. President Skorton will be present to honor our graduates. Honorees and their guests will enjoy musical performances, and the chance to mingle with other international students about to embark upon the next stage of their careers! Light refreshments will be served.

    If you can attend, please complete the on-line RSVP below by Monday, April 29th.

    We look forward to honoring and celebrating with you!

    If you have any questions, please contact Adriana Rovers via e-mail atapr6@cornell.edu.

    Click here to confirm your attendance at this event!



    Spring/Summer Program Schedule

    A note about trips: Dates and times are subject to change. Prices and other details will be announced via e-mail on the iPrograms-L and International-L e-lists.

    April


    21 Sunday 
    Day Trip to Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY 
    Register for this trip, and purchase a ticket online - tickets are currently available as of this writing. Once details have been finalized, trip information will be available at: issotickets.com


    May


    6 Monday 
    Reception for Graduating International Students 
    5-6:30 pm, in Clark Atrium of the Physical Sciences Building. Attending? RSVP Online here!


    July


    4-6 Thursday-Saturday 
    Trip to Boston, Massachusetts 
    Register for this trip, and purchase a ticket online beginning at 9:00 am on Tuesday, June 4th. Once details have been finalized, trip information will be available at: issotickets.com

    27 Saturday 
    Day Trip to Niagara Falls, New York 
    Register for this trip, and purchase a ticket online beginning at 9:00 am on Tuesday, July 9th. Once details have been finalized, trip information will be available at: issotickets.com


    August


    19-22 Monday-Thursday 
    PREPARE pre-orientation program for incoming international undergraduate students

    24 Saturday 
    International Graduate and Professional Student Orientation
    3:00-5:30 pm at the Auditorium in Statler Hall 
    Immediately following there will be an International Student Organization Fair and Welcome Reception 5:30-7:00 pm at Beck Center Park Atrium in Statler Hall.

    27 Tuesday 
    International Student Orientation 
    2:00 pm in Willard Straight Hall, Art Gallery (next to International Lounge) 
    This session is for new international students who did not attend PREPARE or the August 24 international graduate orientation program.

    29 Thursday 
    First International Coffee Hour of the year! 
    3:30-5:30 PM, Big Red Barn 
    Meet new friends over light refreshments and world music.

    Plus every Thursday while classes are in session, join us for International Coffee Hour from 3:30-5:30 PM in the Big Red Barn. Meet new friends over light refreshments and world music. All are welcome!



    August Orientation Coming Soon: We Need Your Help!



    Undergrads: PREPARE Volunteer Signup Info

    Attention undergraduate students...Are you an international student who would like to welcome new international undergraduates to Cornell? Or are you an American student who has had experience living in another culture and knows how it feels to dive into something so different? Then use your experience to help welcome new international students to Cornell!
    The ISSO is looking for motivated and enthusiastic undergraduate volunteers for PREPARE 2013 in August!

    PREPARE is a four-day, intensive pre-orientation program for new international undergraduates, where participants and volunteers have the opportunity to meet one another and help each other acclimate to life at Cornell. Approximately 250 new students, plus 60 volunteers will participate in PREPARE.

    Volunteers are crucially important, and are expected to attend all events throughout the program. They may not be OCs for the university orientation, as conflicts of time and commitment often arise.
    PREPARE will run from August 19-22, with a mandatory training session for volunteers on August 17-18. Volunteers who have on-campus assignments for the fall will be allowed to move into their rooms beginning on Friday, August 16.

    Students who want to volunteer for PREPARE are required to sign up online. Please only sign up if you are able to make a firm commitment to volunteering.

    Get involved! Help new international students! Have fun! Sign on to the PREPARE Team!

    Questions? Please contact Adriana Rovers at apr6@cornell.edu



    International Grad Orientation Volunteers

    International Graduate and Professional Student Orientation will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2013 from 3-7:00 PM in Statler Hall. Graduate student volunteers are needed to help set up for the event, welcome new students, and generally be on hand to answer questions and share your experiences as a continuing student. If you are interested in helping out with this event or with the Graduate School’s ongoing orientation activities, please send your name and e-mail address to Elizabeth Shedd at ers82@cornell.edu. There will be a volunteer information meeting in mid-August. More details will be provided during the summer.



    International Grad Orientation Student Organization Fair

    Held in conjunction with the International Graduate and Professional Student Orientation, this event will showcase the variety of International Student Organizations available on campus. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 24 from 5:30-7:00 PM in the Park Atrium of Statler Hall’s Beck Center. Welcome new graduate students and recruit new members! If your organization is interested in participating, send summer contact information (name and e-mail) to Elizabeth Shedd at ers82@cornell.edu.



    Health Needs: Thinking Ahead to Summer (from Gannett)


    Are you leaving campus for the summer? Graduating this semester? Keep a step ahead to facilitate a smoother transition by carefully reviewing your health needs before you leave campus. Consider if you need to:

    If you are planning to travel to new destinations this summer, you may need 6 weeks or more to get all of your necessary vaccines and travel information. Gannett's Travel Clinic can advise you on the latest travel requirements. Call 607 255-5155 to schedule an appointment.

    For anyone moving away from Ithaca, after you’ve gotten established in a new location, talk with Gannett about transferring any important Gannett health records to your new health care provider. (Note: you will need to complete an authorization to release any or all of your health record.) 

    If you have questions or concerns about taking care of any of these summer (or any other) health needs, call Gannett at 607 255-5155. Phone consultation is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    Submitted by: 
    Heather Stone (hms86@cornell.edu) 254-7468 
    Public Health Communications Specialist
    http://www.gannett.cornell.edu



    EISS Summer English Program


    English for International Students and Scholars will be offered from June 24-August 2, 2013.

    Cornell University's English for International Students and Scholars (EISS) is a summer program for native speakers of languages other than English. It provides full-time intensive English instruction as well as academic, social, and cultural orientation to the United States and its institutions. It is designed to prepare students and scholars for working and studying in the academic environment of a university in the United States or to use English professionally.
     
    The program features small class sizes to enhance students' ability to learn English and to enable instructors to provide personal attention and encouragement. Core classes are scheduled from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. weekdays, with additional afternoon electives, evening events, and field trips.
     
    We welcome incoming international graduate students as well as undergraduates and professionals from abroad and visiting scholars.
     
    Summer EISS participants are eligible to receive a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant [F-1] Student Status). Interested students should apply before April 24 to allow time for visa processing. See the website for details.
     
    For more information and to register for the program, please visit http://www.sce.cornell.edu/exec/eiss/summer/index.php>  or contact the Professional Studies office at cusp@cornell.edu <mailto:cusp@cornell.edu>  or 607.255.7259.



    Let's Talk: CAPS off-site counseling at ISSO (winter hours)


    Each Thursday, from 2:30-4:30 PM, counselor Pearl Chang from Gannett Health Services will be available at the ISSO for free and confidential counselling and consultation. No appointment is necessary! Graduate students, undergraduate students, and family members are welcome to come talk to her about:

    • personal growth and challenges
    • depression, anxiety and stress
    • relationship issues
    • family issues
    • cultural, racial and ethnic issues
    • sexual health concerns
    • negotiating academic environment
    • any other issues of concern
    • referral and information

    For more information about Counselling and Psychological Services and a schedule of available times for off-site, walk-in consultations visit: http://www.gannett.cornell.edu/cms/services/counseling/caps/talk/.



    Have Immigration Questions?
    Come to ISSO Office Hours


    ISSO Advising Hours:
    Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 9-12:00; 1:00-4:30
    Wednesday 1:00-4:30

    Advisors are available on a walk-in basis except from 12-1 P.M. daily, or by appointment. You may stop by to see us during office hours, check out our website, email us at isso@cornell.edu, or call us at 255-5243.