Common Terms

Below is a list of words and phrases that you will see when applying to Community College of Philadelphia:

Change of Status - A student who enters the United States and then petitions the USCIS to allow him/her to remain in the United States for another purpose in another visa classification.

Curricular Practical Training - CPT is employment authorization granted by ISS for training that is a required part of one’s (major) curriculum and for which academic credit is awarded.

Department of State - The DOS is the Executive Agency headed by the U.S. Secretary of State, who serves in the President’s cabinet. Under the DOS is the Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Consular Offices (at U.S. Consulates and Embassies abroad) issue visas for non-immigrants wishing to come to the United States.

Designated School Official - DSOs are administrative employees designated by the school to represent and speak for the school in F-1 matters. They ensure that the institution and individuals comply with laws pertaining to F-1 students. DSOs educate students and the school about their rights and obligations under F-1 regulations. Only a DSO may issue and sign USCIS documents on behalf of the school and approve or recommend benefits for F-1 students and their families. Most FSA/ISAs are DSOs; the ISS coordinator and counselor both serve as DSOs and FSAs.

Duration of Status - The notation D/S is used for F-1 students (and J-1 visitors) and their families on the I-94 card and I-20 (or IAP-66) instead of an expiration date. The length of time they are permitted to remain in the United States is dependent on the expiration of their I-20 (or IAP-66) and their ability to maintain status.

Employment Authorization Document - An EAD (also known as EAD card, EAC or work permit) is card issued by the USCIS upon approval of work authorization. The card is required before an F-1 student may begin working in the United States, except for certain employment on campus or CPT, which requires DSO authorization at ISS.

Foreign Student Advisor- FSAs advise students (and scholars) in nonimmigrant classifications on USCIS regulations, tax filing and getting settled and adjusting to the new environment. Usually, FSAs serve as DSOs; the ISS coordinator and counselor both serve as FSAs and DSOs.

International Student Advisor - ISAs are the same as Foreign Student Advisors and also usually serve as DSOs.

I-9 - The I-9 is the USCIS Employment Eligibility Verification form. This form must be completed by all newly hired employees and their employers within the first three days of beginning work. The I-9 is used to verify one’s proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

I-20 - The document issued by a school after a person has been accepted and plans to attend the school in F-1 nonimmigrant status. The I-20 serves as the Certificate of Eligibility for applying for a F-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy and as a permanent record of one’s stay in the United States as an F-1 student.

I-94 card - The small white (or larger electronically issued) card stapled in one’s passport. This USCIS document records the length of one's authorized stay in the United States. The I-94 card, not the visa stamp, is the record of one's record on permission to remain in the United States. For F-1 students, the I-94 card should be marked D/S.

Optional Practical Training - OPT is work authorization granted by the USCIS for training in one’s (major) curriculum.

Out of Status - An F-1 student is considered Out of Status when he/she fails to maintain his/her F-1 status. When a student fails to maintain his/her status, he/she is no longer eligible to receive the benefits available to F-1 status and must meet with an FSA for advising.

Reinstatement—A student who falls Out of Status for failing to maintain F-1 status may apply for and be granted Reinstatement (to F-1 status) by a USCIS officer. Reinstatement restores one’s status and eligibility to receive F-1 benefits. Working in the United States without USCIS authorization renders an F-1 student ineligible for reinstatement.

Social Security Number—SSN (also know as the Social Security Card) is a number issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration. The number is necessary for filing taxes and completing certain applications. (Note: It does not carry any health or medical care benefits, and it does not permit employment.)

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System—SEVIS is the Internet-based computer system that schools (and J program sponsors) use to transmit electronic information and notifications to the DHS and the DOS throughout a foreign student’s or exchange visitor’s stay in the United States.

Visa—A U.S. visa is a stamped (or pasted-in) endorsement made in your passport by a U.S. consular or embassy official outside the United States. It indicates that all requirements have been met for entry into the United States. The number of entries allowed within a specified period of time is indicated on the visa. A valid visa is essential for entering and reentering the United States (except for Canadian and Bermudan citizens who are not required to hold visas); but it does not determine the length of time you may remain in the United States (It is not a problem for your visa to expire while you remain in the United States as long as your F-1 status remains valid.)