Announcements and Reminders
International Student Programs Office/Advising Hours
The International Student Programs office in VH 201 is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pmInternational Student Programs offers walk-in advising hours on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00am - 1:00pm for all international students.
Dr. Kathleen Geher, Director of the Dual Diploma Programs hosts walk -in office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. No Appointment necessary. Dual Diploma students can schedule an appointment with Dr. Geher here! You can also email her at geherk@newpaltz.edu to schedule an appointment outside of her normal office hours.
Jeff Pollard, Exchange & Visiting Student Advisor, also hosts walk-in advising hours on Wednesday from 2:00pm - 4:00pm, or email him at pollardj@newpaltz.edu if you would like to schedule an appointment outside of these hours.
Registration reminders for F-1 Students
As we approach course registration for Spring 2025, please remember international students have (F1) status requirements that relate to your academics!
Full-time enrollment requirements
All international students must maintain full-time status
"Full-time" may differ depending on your program
- All undergraduate degree, MBA and MFA: 12 credits or mor
- All other graduate degree: 9 credits or more
- An exception to full-time enrollment is made in your FINAL SEMESTER only and requires approval
Method of Instruction
- Only ONE online course counts toward the full-time registration requirement each semester.
- The majority of your courses must be seated and/or hybrid each semester.
- In your final semester, if you are only taking one course, it cannot be online only.
Practicum, Internship, Fieldwork courses, and CPT approval
If you are registering for a course in the spring that has practical experience attached to it, you must remember to get CPT authorization BEFORE you begin any type of off-campus opportunity. For example, if you are registering for Practicum, Internship, Fieldwork, or an Independent Study that has an off-campus component, you must get CPT authorization before you begin your internship/practicum/fieldwork. You can learn more about this at our CPT workshops and by reading the information here.
If you have questions or concerns about this, please contact International Student Programs.
Thanksgiving and Travel Signatures
Thanksgiving break is coming up, there are no classes November 28-29, 2024. The University offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, and most offices will likely be closed or short-staffed on Friday, November 29, too, as many people travel to spend time with their loved ones during this holiday.
Travel Signatures
- If you are planning to travel abroad, please remember to get a travel signature on your I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019(J-1 students).
- Travel signatures are valid for 6 months and are reqired for re-enter into the US after traveling abroad.
- You will also need a valid visa and your passport must be valid at least 6 months into the future of your return date.
- You do not need a travel signature if you are traveling within the US
- You do not need an updated travel signature if you have received one within the last 6 months.
- Note (F-1): If you are completing your program this semester, (and you are not applying for OPT), you do not need a travel signature and you have a 60-day grace period in the US when your program ends
J-1 STUDENTS: You can request your travel signature at Travel Abroad & Travel Signature, or you can come to the International Student Programs office with your DS-2019 to meet with Jeff Pollard on Wednesdays 2pm - 4pm or by appointment.
- Note (J-1): If you are completing your program this semester, you do not need a Travel Signature, and you have a 30-day grace period in the US when your program ends.
All international students who plans to apply for OPT must attend at least one OPT workshop. Please see the full listing of our Fall semester workshops for F1 and J1 students here!
Please reference the Fall 2024 Academic Calendar for important dates throughout the semester including deadlines, holidays, and finals. (Protip: Bookmark it!)
