ISSO Newsletter: January 2006
The ISSO sends out a monthly web-based newsletter. As it contains the latest information about immigration and ISSO services, it is very important that you read it! We promise to try and keep it as short as possible. View the ISSO newsletter archive here.
Newsletter Contents:
- Immigration News and Reminders
January Graduates: Working after Graduation!
January Graduates: Discuss your Future Plans with ISSO!
WARNING: Fake emails re: winning the DIVERSITY LOTTERY! - Tax Information
- Counseling Hours with Mahnaz Resuming Thursday, January 12
- Volunteers needed for January International Student Orientation program
- Graduate Students: Apply for Graduate Community Assistant Position by January 30!
- Register for Cornell Campus Club (CCC) ESL Classes on January 21
- Have Immigration Questions?: Come to ISSO Office Hours
Immigration News
January Graduates: Working after Graduation! F-1 Students: If you are graduating in January you MUST APPLY for your Optional Practical Training (OPT) NO LATER THAN January 17, 2006 or (if you are an advanced graduate student), the day before your last day as a registered student. Read about OPT and download an application from our OPT web pages.
J-1 students: If you are graduating in January you MUST APPLY for your Academic Training no later than graduation. If your DS-2019 form was issued by Cornell, you may read about 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.
January Graduates: Discuss your Future Plans with ISSO! If you are graduating from Cornell this January 2005, 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:
- to work while in F-1 status after you graduate
- to work while in J-1 student status after you graduate
- to go on to another degree at a Cornell
- to go on to another degree at a different school
Check with the ISSO advisor on duty about any of the above or any other plans you may have after you graduate.
WARNING: Fake emails re: winning the DIVERSITY LOTTERY! Some internationals have received spam emails from a group pretending to be the Diversity Lottery Office, supposedly notifying recipients that they have won the diversity lottery of U.S. green cards.
These emails are definitely fake!
If you are selected for a green card by the diversity lottery, the diversity lottery office will notify you by regular mail NOT by email.
For real information on the diversity lottery, visit the official web site.
Tax Information
Tax season is just around the corner! All foreign nationals are required to file some kind of paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), whether or not they were employed.
General Timeline:
By the end of February 2006, your U.S. employer(s) should have
sent you a statement of your 2005 earnings & withholdings. You will
then have until April 15th to file a "tax return." If taxes were
withheld from your pay, you may be eligible to receive a tax refund!
The ISSO will provide access to federal tax form software for internationals in the Cornell community filing as non-residents for tax purposes. This software will be available starting in mid- or late-February. The ISSO will also provide New York State tax forms and information. Please read the ISSO general tax information here.
Update your mailing address:
Many of you have earned U.S. source income during the year 2005.
This may have been in the form of employment (on or off campus), or a s
tipend related to a grant, assistantship or fellowship. If you have
earned income within the U.S., please make sure that you have updated
your mailing address in "Just the Facts" as well as with any other U.S.
employer you may have had during the year 2005. Cornell payroll uses
the address provided in "Just the Facts" to send you the income tax
statement you will need to complete your tax return. To avoid delays
in receiving your statement, please use your local Ithaca area address,
rather than your address in your home country.
Fill out the Foreign Nationals Tax Questionnaire:
Cornell's Tax Compliance Office requests that all non-residents
fill out a "Foreign Nationals Tax Questionnaire." This questionnaire
helps the Tax Office determine whether or not you are eligible for a tax
treaty and (possibly) adjust your pay accordingly. The questionnaire is
available online at
http://www.payments.cornell.edu/Foreign_Nationals.cfm".
Even if you have not completed a Foreign Nationals Tax Questionnaire,
you may still be eligible to claim tax treaty benefits when filing your
tax return.
Counseling Hours with Mahnaz Resuming Thursday, January 12
Mahnaz Mousavi, Counselor/Therapist from Gannett, will resume her hours at the ISSO in B-50 Caldwell, this Thursday, January 12, 3:00-6:00 PM for free and confidential counselling and consultation. No appointment is necessary! Graduate students, undergraduate students, and family members are welcome to come talk to Mahnaz 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 issue of concern
- Referral and information
Volunteers needed for January International Student Orientation program
Do you remember your first days as a new international student at Cornell or in another country? What do you know now that you wish you had known when you first arrived? Here is your opportunity to spread your wisdom to new international students and welcome them to Cornell!
We're looking for 10-15 student volunteers to assist with January's New International Student Orientation program which will be held:
Wednesday, January 18th
9:30am-2:30pm
International Lounge, Willard Straight Hall.
This orientation program is small, with an anticipated 30 to 50 participants in attendance. The majority of these new students will be studying at the graduate level, but there will be several undergraduates as well. Volunteers will be asked to assist with sessions by handing out information, discussing their own experiences, and making the new students feel welcome. Breakfast snacks and lunch will be served.
There will be a volunteer information meeting on Monday, January 16th, 4:30-6:00 pm at the ISSO. Pizza will be served! At this time we will discuss the agenda and format of the orientation program, assign duties, and provide copies of the handouts students will receive.
If you are interested in volunteering, send Mariah Sawyer an e-mail containing your name, degree program and country of citizenship, and whether or not you will be able to come to the planning meeting. If you have questions, call Mariah at 255-5243.
Graduate Students: Apply for Graduate Community Assistant Position by January 30!
Graduate & Professional Student Housing, part of the Department of Campus Life, is accepting applications for Graduate Community Assistant (GCA) positions for the 2006-2007 academic year.
GCAs (similar to undergraduate RAs) live in Graduate & Professional Student Housing and are responsible for creating and maintaining positive community living through interacting with residents, planning and implementing events and activities, providing service and learning experiences, relating to and advising residents, and on-call duties.
Compensation includes all housing, utilities, basic telephone, resnet and a stipend of $1700. The contract period is from August 1, 2006 - May 31, 2007. Responsibilities average 8-10 hours per week. This time commitment includes program and community development, staff meetings, training, and administrative duties. Applicants must be full time registered graduate/professional students or non-traditional undergraduates. Successful applicants are enthusiastic, dedicated, organized, creative, flexible, approachable, willing to learn and have a sense of fun and humor.
For more information, please visit the web site, or contact Dawn Carlyle at at 255-7290 or dmc76@cornell.edu.
Register for Cornell Campus Club (CCC) ESL Classes on January 21
Registration for CCC's English as a Second Language classes will be on Saturday, January 21 from 1:00 -3:00 pm at Hasbrouck Community Center. The CCC organizes daytime and evening non-credit English classes led by volunteers. The classes are open to all members of the Cornell community, but are especially geared towards spouses of students and visiting academic staff. The registration fee is $20/semester, which includes up to three classes per week. Class schedules are available online. For further information, please contact Anita Watkins at 257-8590 or at aw236@cornell.edu.
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 12-1pm 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.