March 4, 2020

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in this issue:

1. Spring Break- ISS is OPEN
2. Traveling During Spring Break?
3. Global Citizen Award Nominations are Open
4. Participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement
5. Featured Events
6. Campus Events
7. OPT & CPT Workshop Schedule
8. Commencement Registration is Open
9. Beware of Scams!
10. Tax Information for 2019

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ISS Staff is available to students, without an appointment, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday during advising hours:

11am to 1pm- through virtual advising available online

1pm to 3pm- through in-person advising in the office

There are no advising hours on Wednesday.

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If you need to speak or meet with an advisor outside of our advising hours, please send an email to international@case.edu to schedule an appointment. Please provide your full-name and a brief description of the nature of your appointment when you contact us.

Traveling During Spring Break?

*If you have concerns about how COVID-19 (coronavirus) could impact your travel plans, ISS strongly encourages all students to consider the risks that might come with traveling at this time and to plan accordingly.  We understand that traveling may be necessary and just want you to be best prepared. Be sure to visit the university's Health Updates website for all of the latest information and campus communications regarding COVID-19*

If you plan to travel outside of the U.S. during the break, be sure to check the entry requirements for all of the places you will visit.  As a visitor, it is necessary to comply with all of the laws put in place by a host country’s government.

A valid travel signature on your I-20 (if you are in F-1 status) or your DS-2019 (if you are in J-1 status) is required to smoothly reenter the United States.  Before leaving campus, ideally 2 weeks before you leave campus, check your I-20 or DS-2019 for a valid travel signature. 

A travel signature is valid for up to one year with just two exceptions: (1) If you will be traveling to Canada, you should have a travel signature that is no more than six months old. (2) If you have applied for or are currently approved for post-completion OPT as an F-1 student, a travel signature is valid for only six months.

To request a travel signature, log into Terra Dotta (visas.case.edu), submit the electronic Travel Signature Request, and follow the instructions to receive your signature.

For more information related to travel and your F-1 visa status, visit this website.

For more information related to travel and your visa J-1 visa status, visit this website.

Spring Break- ISS is OPEN

While we hope you'll be resting and relaxing over Spring Break (March 9-13), please know that ISS will be open and available during regular advising hours if you need us.

Global Citizen Awards      March 12 Deadline

The Center for International Affairs is now accepting nominations for the Global Citizen Awards!

Nominations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 12.

The awards to be presented include:

Faculty/Staff Award

International Leader

Student Awards

Unsung Champion

Spirit of Service

Laurie D. Zelman International Undergraduate Student

Elise Lindsay International Graduate Student

Organization Awards

Outstanding Student Organization

Outstanding Campus partner in Collaboration

All nominees will be contacted shortly after this submission deadline. Winners will be chosen by an anonymous committee and invited to attend the International Achievement Luncheon where they will be recognized and receive their award.

To learn more about the criteria for each award, please visit the Center for International Affairs' website. Nomination forms can be accessed here.

For more information, please contact Marielena Maggio at international@case.edu or 216.368.2517.

Beware of Scams!

During the spring, particularly around tax time and university commencements, scams are common. ISS wants to make sure that international students are aware of these scams and know how to protect themselves.  Visit our website for more information. (https://case.edu/international/international-student-services/living-cleveland/scam-alerts)

Tax Deadline in April:      Forms & Sprintax Availablity

Sprintax is a tax-return-preparation software program designed primarily for international students and other educational visa holders. It can help you prepare your U.S. federal income tax return and assist you in preparing Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ.

You may access Sprintax and begin preparing your tax return by following these steps:

1. Register and follow the simple instructions
2. Complete the online questionnaire
3. Enter Case Western Reserve University’s unique code.  This code was sent to you via email on February 12.
4. Sprintax will prepare your tax return

If Sprintax determines that you are required to file state taxes, you will have the opportunity to prepare those state taxes. You are not required to use Sprintax to file state taxes but, remember, it is your responsibility to comply with the law and properly file all taxes.

If by now, you haven't received your W-2 from CWRU, contact Payroll at payroll@case.edu. If you were authorized to work for another employer, you should contact their payroll department.

For more information regarding the 1098-T, please visit Financial Services website to download the Nonresident Alien 1098-T Request Form.

1042-S forms will be prepared by mid-March and sent to students by Payroll. Please contact Payroll if you have questions about the issuance of your 1042-S.

For more information, visit our Information on Filing Taxes page.

Participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement

First-year, second-year, and senior students will receive a reminder on March 5th encouraging them to participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement. The survey is being given to undergraduates at schools across the country. Results will help in evaluation of services and programs. The e-mail will come from Dean Jeff Wolcowitz with the subject line “Tell us about your CWRU experience.” Questions about the survey can be directed to CWRU’s Office of Institutional Research.

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