July 20

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has rescinded the guidance discussed in the July 8 update.  We are waiting for new guidance and will provide an update as soon as we know more.

July 8

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) just released a preview of a proposed temporary new rule governing study by F-1 international students during the Fall 2020 term. The proposed new rule is not final and there may be changes. The full preview of the proposed temporary rule for study in Fall 2020 can be accessed at: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/bcm2007-01.pdf.

UWM will advocate whenever possible for rules that will benefit F-1 students. We will also keep you informed with any updates and work with you individually so that you can make the best choices for your academic and personal situations.

Following is a list of the most frequently asked questionsregarding how we anticipate the new rule will impact newly admitted F-1 international students.

The SEVP announcement

• Who does this announcement apply to?

• • All students that have or will have F1 status in the US.  So far there is no similar guidance for students that have or need a J1 visa.

• Is this new announcement final?

• • No.  It still must be finalized by SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program).  We do not know for sure when it will be finalized but expect it in the coming weeks.

• Where can I find the announcement?

• • Announced on July 6, 2020:https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/bcm2007-01.pdf.

For students that come in-person for the hybrid model

• F1 students are typically only allowed to have one course (at least 3 credits) per semester online.  Has that changed?

• • For fall 2020, in-person F1 students will only be required to have one course (at least 3 credits) with an in-person component.  The rest of your courses can be entirely online.

• How do I register for classes?

• • Undergraduate students (bachelors) will receive an email soon about how to register for online campus orientation.  The orientation will be an online coursetht you can do from home.  We anticipate the course will be available beginning July 20.  Once you have completed that course, you will be eligible to sign up for an online appointment with your academic advisor, who will help you select your courses and register.

• • Graduate students (masters and PhD) can register any time.  Contact your faculty advisor for advice on which courses are appropriate for your program.

• How do I know which courses have an in-person component or are entirely online?

• • You should work with your advisor for registration.  Graduate students (masters and PhD) should work with your faculty advisor.  Undergraduate students (bachelors) should work with your academic advisor.

• What kind of courses to do I need to register for?

• • You must register for courses that lead toward the completion of your degree.  Your advisor will help you with course selection.

• Do I need an I-20 with special remarks?

• • Yes.  We will be re-issuing I-20s for students that already have one.  The new I-20 will have special remarks indicating that UWM is offering a hybrid model, and that you will have at least one (3 credits or more) course with an in-person component.

• How will I get the new I-20?

• • UWM uses an online system called ISSS Connect to provide service to its international students.  Your new I-20 will delivered to you there with an electronic signature, and you will be able to log in and print it.  We will send you more details on how to log in and navigate ISSS Connect when the I-20s are ready.

UWM’s mode of instruction

• Is UWM still planning to be a hybrid model for fall 2020?

• • Yes.  Many courses at UWM are planned to be in hybrid format, which means that they would have both a component of in-person and online instruction during the term. 

• Is the decision to be hybrid a final decision?

• • UWM’s plan to use a hybrid model is based on the recommendations of city and state plans to re-open amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are committed to the hybrid model as long as it is deemed a safe option, as the health of our students, faculty and staff are very important.  

• Could UWM change to a model of online–only instruction?

• • The COVID-19 infection rate in our area and plans to re-open are constantly changing and dynamic.  If the city or state recommendations change, it is possible that we would be required to go online-only for fall 2020.

• When would the decision to change to online-only be made?

• • We are committed to the hybrid model. Unfortunately, given the dynamic and changing situation with COVID-19, any changes are  impossible to predict, as it would be dictated by our city and state requirements.

• How will I learn if UWM changes to an online-only model?

• • We will immediately communicate it to you via email, web and social media (WeChat, WhatsApp and Facebook).

Impacts of an online-only model

• What if the decision is made to change to online-only before I come to UWM?

• • You would not be allowed to enter the US.  You would be required to either start your courses online from home or defer your admission.

• What if the decision is made to change to online-only afterI come to UWM?

• • You would be required to transfer to another school that still had in-person options, apply in the US to change your status, or leave the US immediately.  

• If this decision is made mid-semester and I must leave the US, what happens to my classes?

• • All classes would continue online, so you could return home and complete your courses remotely.

• If I must leave the US abruptly, what are the financial impacts?

• • Tuition and fees would not be refunded.  All classes would be offered online, so you can complete them from home.
  • Housing costs will be your responsibility to manage.  Whether you are living on-campus or off-campus, you should be aware of your contractual obligations.
  • Health insurance will not refundable as it is purchased by term and is non-refundable if you were present in the US for any of the effective dates.

• If I must leave, is there a guarantee I will be able to return?

• • Current guidance tells us that if there are in-person courses available, international students will be able to come to campus.  We anticipate that students will be able to return as soon as UWM is able to open for regular classes, but it depends on future guidance from SEVP.  
  • When re-entry is possible, you will need a valid visa and I-20.

• What happens for students with assistantships or scholarships?

• • You should contact whomever offered you the assistantship or scholarship to determine whether you can keep it after you transition home.

• Will UWM help me with the sudden move (breaking a housing contact, selling furniture and personal items, etc.)?

• • We will connect you with Student Associations and other community groups that may provide some assistance, but ultimately, it will be your responsibility. 

Next steps

• What should I do now?

• • As soon as you make your decision about fall (come in-person, start online, or defer), please let us know.  Submit the form at the top of this page.

• What if I have already submitted the form and have now changed my mind?

• • Email us at isss@uwm.edu and let us know.

• What if I have additional questions?

• • Email us at isss@uwm.edu.  If we cannot help you, we will connect you with whomever can.

June 29

UWM hosted online sessions for newly admitted international students to learn more about Fall 2020 plans and ask questions.  Speakers included representatives of the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office and other key campus resources. The sessions were recorded and are available to view below. 

For those who were unable to attend the graduate student webinar on June 29th, here is the recording of the event: https://lubar.mediasite.com/mediasite/Play/516ace3b84624f1fbee0896197d2df221d

For those who missed the undergraduate (bachelor’s) webinar on June 30th, please see the recording of the event: https://lubar.mediasite.com/mediasite/Play/d1e56601be874fceaebe99cb2cf251001d

The presentation mentions a UWM website that includes virtual tours of campus, campus resources, sample lectures and a free UWM course on Milwaukee.

June 17

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee(UWM) has announced it will have a hybrid model for Fall 2020, to include a mix of in-person courses and online courses.Please read the official UWM announcement and the information below.  Email us any questions to isss@uwm.edu.  Once you have decided on the best option for you, let us know your decision by submitting the Fall 2020 Decision form at the top of this page. 

Now that we have some idea what classes will look like at UWM this fall, newly admitted international students have three choices: come in-person,take Fall 2020 classes online, or defer your admission.

Come in-person

• Can students already in the US come to UWM as planned? 

• • Yes. 

• Can students outside the US come to UWM in-person? 

• • Yes, but there are several issues that need to be resolved to make that happen, including obtaining a visa and getting a flight to the US.

• When will I be able to apply for a student visa? 

• • US Embassies and Consulates remain closed for student appointments, with no indication of when they will open.  A few are offering emergency appointments, but they are taken on a case-by-case basis.  Continue to monitor the website of your closest US Embassy/Consulate for updates.

• Can I get a flight to the US? 

• • There are several flight restrictions in place in many countries (including the US and home countries) that might make it challenging to get a flight to the US.  You will have to research whether travel to the US for the fall semester is feasible.  
    
• Will all classes be offered in person?
  • No. Most classes will be mainly online. Some classes will be a mix of in-person and online, and a few classes will be totally in person.

• What will in-person classes be like at UWM this fall?  

• • There will be several changes to our physical arrangements in order to ensure the safety of all students, staff and faculty.  You will be required to maintain distance from others, classrooms will be limited in the number of students allowed in any physical space andclasses will likely be a mix of in-person and online activity.  

• Will it be a “normal” experience at UWM this fall?  

• • No.  Students will have a very rewarding academic experience, but it will be unlike anything we have experienced before.  Students, staff and faculty will be working together to figure out the new normal.

• Should I arrange for housing at UWM this fall?

• • If you want to live on-campus this fall, you should submit a housing contract and deposit as soon as possible.  Housing is planning how to ensure health and safety of students, and they will prioritize placement of students with contracts on file.  If you submit a contract and deposit and then cannot come, your contract will be cancelled, and deposit returned.  https://uwm.edu/housing/

• Can I arrive late?  

• • Students admitted into the Master’s in Information Technology Management program will have some options to start at the end of September.  Email Chris Pahl (pahlc@uwm.edu) for more information.  
  • All other programs will start at the regular beginning of the semester (currently scheduled for September 2nd).

• What if I cannot make it to UWM by beginning of classes?  

• • You should either take classes online from home or defer.  If you start online from home, you will not be able to join us in-person mid-semester.  You would stay online for the entire fall semester, and then hopefully you can join us in-person for the spring semester (January). Be sure to contact your program directly to learn about onlineoptions: https://uwm.edu/graduateschool/graduate-representative-list/

• How is the state of Wisconsindealing with the COVID-19 pandemic? 

• • Learn about Wisconsin’s efforts to detect, track and limit COVID-19 cases here: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/outbreaks/index.htm?fullsite=y

• How is the city of Milwaukee dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic? 

• • Learn about Milwaukee’s efforts to detect, track and limit COVID-19 cases here: https://city.milwaukee.gov/coronavirus

• How is UWM dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic? 

• • For the latest information, see our official information: https://uwm.edu/coronavirus/

• Who will support me? 

• • UWM is ready to help all students and make your experience at UWM a great one.  You will receive help from the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), all academic departments, the Graduate School, Dean of Students office, Health Services, Housing, etc.  

Take Fall 2020 courses online

• What are the online classes?  

• • Online classes are regular UWM classes offered to any student eligible for registration.  They are the same courses taught on our campus but offered online. 

• Who is teaching the online courses?  

• • Regular UWM professors and lecturers.  They are the same courses taught on our campus but taught online.

• Will the credits count toward your degree?  

• • Yes.  They are the same courses taught on our campus but taught online.  You should work with your advisor to select courses that are required for your degree program, and they will count towards your degree as if you took them in-person.

• Are online courses “transfer” courses? 

• • No.  They do not need to be transferred in because they are regular UWM courses that you need to complete your degree from UWM. 

• Can I take online courses at another university and transfer them to UWM later?

• • For undergraduate students, quite possibly, yes.  Let us know your plans so we can help you determine transferability before you register or pay any tuition.
  • For graduate students, you will have to get permission from your program at UWM to transfer credits into your degree plan.  Transfer credits at the graduate level are not common and there is no guarantee they will be approved.

• What will the online courses be like? 

• • Online courses are conducted differently by different professors. Some models are flexible, allowing you to participate as you can with clear deadlines posted for assignments, others are live streamed and interactive as if you were in a physical lecture hall.

• Do I have to be online at specific times?

• • Most courses will be taught “asynchronously”, meaning you do not have to be online at a specific time.  When you talk to your advisor about which courses are best for you, be sure to ask this question.

• Do I need to study online full time?

• • Most likely no. Most students will be able to take as many courses as they want. Full-time is defined as 12+ credits for undergraduate students, and 8+ credits for graduate students.  To find out for sure, contact the program you have been admitted to: https://uwm.edu/graduateschool/graduate-representative-list/

• What are the benefits of taking online courses?  

• • Online courses allow you to begin your degree program from home until it is possible for you to come in-person the following term.  They allow you to develop relationships with faculty and students in program as soon as possible.  They will shorten the amount of time you have to spend in the US after you arrive in-person.  They also offer the ability of studying from home, thereby reducing cost-of-living expenses.  

• What will online courses cost?

• • UWM has designated a special rate of tuition for new international students who need to start their classes onlinefrom their home country.  Tuition is charged by the number of credits you register for regardless of credit total.
  • For UNDERGRADUATE (bachelor’s degree) students: The per credit hour rate will be $505.70. For example, 1 course (3 credits) will be $1,517.10 and a full-time 4 course load (12 credits) will be $6,068.40.  
  • For GRADUATE (master’s and PhD) students: The per credit hour rate will be $1,003.19. For example, 1 course (3 credits) will be $3,009.56 and a full-time course load of 8 credit hours will be $8,025.52.
  • Students admitted to graduate programs (master’s and PhD) in the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business are not eligible for the special tuition rate.  These students should refer to Business Master’s (master’s) and Graduate (PhD) non-resident tuition pricing schedule at: https://uwm.edu/onestop/finances/estimating-your-costs/tuition/

• Will there be any additional fees?  

• • Students enrolled in the online international student per credit pricingwill not be assessed segregated fees, but there may be additional fees for library services, user fees and differential tuition charges.  Additionally, certain individual courses may have different rates, and specific course rates will supersede the above mentioned per credit hour rates.  All international students will be charged a $100 International Student Fee per semester.  Please refer the One Stop Enrollment and Financial Services website (https://uwm.edu/onestop/) and contact your academic advisor should you have any questions.  

• How long will this special tuition rate last?  

• • This rate is available for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, for new online international students only.  If you come in-person, the regular non-resident rate will apply as normal.  Students who decide to complete the entire degree online will be assessed the regular non-resident tuition rate starting Summer 2021.

• Will my scholarships/assistantships/funding pay for online courses? 

• • For those participating in the international student per credit pricing, unfortunately, no.  Because of the lower rate of tuition, any offered funding from UWM will not apply.   Students that have been offered financial assistance should contact their program to determine if you can still use it instead of the special tuition rate.
  • Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business graduate students, please consult with your advisor for scholarship opportunities and information.  

• Can I keep my TA/RA position and work from my home country?

• • You should contact the program that offered your assistantship.  

• Who do I contact to learn what online courses are available to me?  

• • Graduate students (master’s and PhD) should contact the Graduate Representative for the program you are admitted to: https://uwm.edu/graduateschool/graduate-representative-list/.  

• • Undergraduate (bachelor’s degree) should contact the advisor listed in their PAWS account.  

• Will I get a tuition refund if I begin my classes online and my visa is later denied?

• • Unfortunately, no.  But UWM will provide you with additional documentation about your academic connection to UWM that may help your visa application.

• What will online classes mean for my F1 status? 

• • Since you will not physically be in the US, you will not have any F1 status in the US.

• Will my online classes contribute to my eligibility for OPT (Optional Practical Training) or CPT (Curricular Practical Training)?

• • Since you will not have F1 status in the US, online courses will not contribute toward your eligibility for OPT or CPT.  To qualify, you must have F1 status for one full academic year in the US.  UWM’s summer semester does not count towards this requirement.  For example, if you join UWM in-person for the spring semester (beginning in January), you will be eligible for OPT or CPT at the end of the fall semester in December.  

Defer your admission

• What is the deadline to defer my admission? 

• • There is no specific deadline, but ideally it would be done by early September.  There is plenty of time for you to make your decision to defer.  If there is any possibility you might start classes online or come in-person, let’s wait to defer your admission.

• How do I defer? 

• • Use the form at the top of this page. We will work with your program to finalize your deferral, and let you know when it is done.

• Can I defer to Spring 2021? Or Fall 2021? 

• • It depends on your program.  Most programs allow new students in spring, but a few may require you to defer to fall.  Let us know which you would prefer, and we will work with your program to see what is possible.

• What about my I-20? 

• • If you already have an I-20, we will re-issue it with the new dates.  If not, we will remind you of what we need to issue the I-20.

• Will scholarships/assistantships/funding offered from UWM be deferred with my admission? 

• • It depends on the funding.  When we work with your program to finalize the deferral, we will get this answer for you.  You can also ask your program directly.  Questions about funding should be directed to whomever offered it to you.