SEVP Continues COVID Enrollment Accommodations Through Spring 2022

The U.S. SEVP has announced that existing COVID-19 Enrollment Accommodations will continue for the upcoming academic year including both Fall 2021 and Spring 2022. This means that if you:

• Were studying in the U.S. as of March 9, 2020 and have maintained valid F-1 visa status, you may continue to enroll in all online classes in the upcoming academic year.
• Arrived to the U.S. in F-1 visa status after March 9, 2020, then you may not pursue a 100% online course of study, but you may engage in a hybrid course of study that exceeds the standard 3 credit online limit. The New International Student Seminar satisfies this hybrid requirement for your first semester. We recommend students who were new to the F-1 visa status after March 9, 2020 to enroll in at least one hybrid or in-person course for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 to ensure compliance with the most narrow interpretation of the policy guidance.

Health Insurance for Summer 2021

As the spring semester comes to a close we are preparing for summer. If you are continuing on Madison College's visa support, you will continue to be enrolled in our mandatory health insurance plan and you can expect to see a charge for health insurance in your student account. 

For students who are graduating, transferring out, or otherwise ending your studies at Madison College, the insurance charges for summer will stay on your account until your visa status has been updated to reflect that you are no longer on Madison College's support.

Find more information about health insurance on our website.

Travel Recommendations

CIE discourages non-essential travel this summer due to COVID-19.

If you must travel, use caution and carefully consider the following:

• Visa expired? Anticipate delays and possible difficulty renewing. U.S. Embassies and Consulates, in general, are open for some services. However, the resumption of routine visa services is occurring on a post-by-post basis. Many are not at full capacity and some have not resumed routine visa services. Anticipate delays or the possibility of cancelled visa interview appointments. If your F-1 visa has expired and you leave the U.S., there is risk of not getting a visa interview appointment to return for Fall 2021.
• Travel Signature expired? Allow at least 2 weeks to receive a new I-20 via the I-20 Reprint Request process due to campus closure. CIE’s Travel Requirements
• Review US Entrance Requirements! All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and F-1 international students, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recent recovery from COVID-19 before they board a flight to the United States. Please visit CDC’s website for additional information.
• US State Department International Travel Advisories- the US State Department has issued Travel Advisories for much of the world. 80% of the world is currently listed as Level 4-Do Not Travel, due to COVID-19 and other risk factors. Although this is not binding, please consider the recommendations when considering travel. See the Travel Advisories website for more information.
• Risk of Quarantine and Delays- the COVID-19 situation is still fluid both in the US and abroad. Any travel may result in unexpected delays, quarantines, and expenses (related to unexpected hotel stays, quarantines, etc) either on departure or arrival.

Farewell Becki!

Becki is leaving the Center for International Education to spend more time with her family and take advantage of the wonderful summer weather. We are grateful for all of the wonderful work that Becki did for our department and wish her well!

Congratulations Graduates!

Madison College is excited to celebrate our graduates in a virtual ceremony. Find more information about the event and how to participate here.

Are you graduating? Let us know! Email iss@madisoncollege.edu so we can help celebrate you!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Here are some ways to get involved for Mental Health Awareness Month:

• Change your social media profile picture or e-mail signature to the Mental Health Awareness Icon. Don't forget to encourage your family and friends to do that same!
• See a list of all the ways you can get involved on the Mental Health Awareness Month Flyer
• Mindfulness for Mental Health Video Series
  • Optimism
  • Resilience
  • Gratitude
  • Habits
  • Mindfulness