萝莉社

You must have health insurance each semester you are enrolled at North Park. 萝莉社 offers a comprehensive insurance plan for international students, which you are strongly encouraged to purchase.

Exchange students who wish to submit an insurance waiver, please complete the J-1 Waiver below and submit via email, with a copy of your policy.

Registering for Courses

• If you are an undergraduate (degree-seeking or exchange) student, you must enroll in 12 or more credits each semester. At least 9 credits must be in-person or hybrid.
• If you are a graduate student, you must enroll in 8 or more credits each semester. At least 5 credits must be in-person or hybrid.
• If you are taking classes in Quad B that will count toward the minimum registration requirement, those classes must show on your class schedule at the start of the semester.
• Only one online course (no more than 3 credits) can count towards your full-time enrollment. Any courses above minimum in-person enrollment requirements can be online.

International students on an F-1 visa may be eligible to apply for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) for Academic Difficulty or a Medical Condition. Note: you may not drop below full-time enrollment until your request is approved by OIA.

Every semester that you study in the United States on an F-1 or J-1 visa, 萝莉社 is required to report to the U.S. Government that you are complying with student visa regulations. This process is called 鈥淪EVIS Registration.” Each semester you must submit a completed SEVIS Checklist to the Office of International Affairs.

If you have loan paperwork that you need completed for CSN, L氓nekassen, or another loan provider, please contact Student Accounts.

If you need an enrollment verification or other form completed with your academic record/information, please contact the Registrar’s Office.

An F-1 visa is used to enter the United States. In most cases, once you are in the U.S. you are permitted to remain here as long as you are maintaining F-1 status, even if your visa expires. If you are traveling outside of the U.S. with an expired visa, you must renew your visa before returning. Please follow the instructions included here or contact the Office of International Affairs for more information.

Student visa regulations require that F and J international students are required to report any changes in name, address, contact information or educational program to their international student advisor within 10 days of the change. Please contact international@northpark.edu to report any changes.

As an international student you are permitted to work on campus up to 20 hours per week. During official school breaks (summer, fall, winter and spring breaks, but not regular weekends), you may work on campus up to 40 hours per week. All on-campus work requires prior authorization by the Office of International Affairs. Looking for an on-campus job? Create an account on and search for On-Campus, Non Work Study jobs. Note: ISEP students must obtain permission from ISEP before starting work.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) refers to any off-campus internship, field experience, or practicum in your major of study. Degree-seeking students must complete one academic year in F-1 status and meet North Park鈥檚 requirements for internship or practical before being allowed to participate in CPT. If you are interested in learning more or applying for CPT, you must watch the following video tutorial and follow the instructions provided here:

Once you’re ready to apply, please submit this form:

Here are the letter templates, which you can forward to your clinical coordinator or employer:

If you are completing a bachelor鈥檚 or master鈥檚 degree at North Park and have been in F-1 status for one academic year, you may apply for OPT no sooner than 90 days before and no later than 60 days after your program end date (graduation). OPT gives you permission to look for employment and work in your major field of studies for one year after your graduation. In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for pre-completion OPT.

Applying for OPT costs $470 for online filing and you will need to request an OPT I-20 from the Office of International Affairs. If you are interested in OPT, you are required to watch the following video and carefully read the step-by-step instructions here:

Once you’re ready to apply, you must submit this form:

Once your OPT application has been submitted, please watch the following video & carefully review these resources:

The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to an F-1 student’s聽 in an approved STEM field.聽Eligible F-1 students with STEM degrees who finish their program of study and participate in an initial period of regular聽 (often for 12 months) have the option to apply for a STEM OPT extension. Student must apply before their post-completion OPT expires. Please review the SEVP STEM OPT Hub for more information about the STEM OPT extension.

Please carefully read the instructions provided here. You must submit a request form and receive a new I-20 from the Office of International Affairs with a STEM OPT extension endorsement, before completing the application process.

Once you are approved for STEM OPT you must submit the reporting form (linked here) to the OIA every 6 months. Please carefully review the reporting requirements and travel resources.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) defines 鈥渟evere economic hardship鈥� as a financial condition caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student鈥檚 control that make it difficult for a student to continue education in the United States. Eligible F-1 students may apply for this off-campus work authorization to financial support the continuation of their studies. Applying for Severe Economic Hardship work authorization costs $520 and must be recommended by the Office of International Affairs. Please read instructions below for more information about the application process.

• You may take 60 days to travel within the U.S. and prepare to depart the country. You cannot work during this period of time, and you may not depart and re-enter the country.
• You may apply for another program at North Park.
• You may apply for an academic program at another U.S. university.
• If you鈥檝e completed an undergraduate or graduate degree, you are eligible to apply with the USCIS for one year of employment authorization in the United States. This employment opportunity, referred to as Optional Practical Training (OPT), is only permitted in your major field of study. Please contact the Office of International Affairs for information on applying for OPT.

After completing an exchange program, a student on a J-1 visa has 30 days to travel within the United States and prepare to depart the country. You cannot work during this grace period, and cannot depart and reenter the country.

If you wish to continue your education at another institution, you will likely need a copy of your transcripts from 萝莉社.聽You can at any time.