From: VISA Office
Date: February 7
Subject: VISA News: OPT/CPT Workshops, Taxes, Lunar New Year, Career Fair Prep and MORE


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VISA Office Information

The VISA Office is open 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday.  We are located in Crawford Hall, Suite 215.

On Monday, Thursday, and Friday, we have virtual chat advising available from 11am to 1pm.  Access virtual chat from our website here.

You are also welcome to contact us for an in-person, phone, or virtual appointment.  Please email visa@case.edu to request an appointment or schedule from our website here.

OPT and CPT workshop branding telling students that workshops are available online

OPT & CPT Workshops

The VISA Office is offering Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Workshops to review the application process, student responsibilities, and other important considerations.

It is important to be well informed before you apply.  It is also important to apply early!

OPT is mostly for students who are graduating and wish to work after graduation.  You first have to obtain your OPT I-20 from our office. Then you must apply for an Employment Authorization Document  from US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), which is required to begin work on OPT. It takes USCIS 3-4 months to process EAD applications. You must complete an OPT workshop to obtain an OPT I-20 from the VISA Office, so we strongly recommend that you attend a workshop as early as possible if you plan to apply for OPT this semester. Remember, you do not need a job offer to apply for OPT!

CPT is for currently enrolled students.  For CPT, you have to have a job offer before applying for authorization. You are not eligible to begin your experience until you have CPT authorization in place. It can take several days to become authorized.

Please sign up for a workshop!  You can sign up here.

Tax Information for 2023 Filing Year

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Tax Deadline is April 15: Forms & Sprintax Availablity

Sprintax is a tax-return-preparation software program designed primarily for international students and scholars. It can help you prepare your U.S. federal income tax return, which you are legally required to file to the Internal Revenue Service.  The VISA Office has arranged for a limited number of coupons for free access to Sprintax for your federal tax filing needs.

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 6.
  4. Sprintax will prepare your tax return

If Sprintax determines that you are required to file a state tax return, you may use Sprintax to file your state return at your own expense. You are not required to use Sprintax to file your tax returns but, remember, it is your responsibility to comply with the law and properly file all required tax returns. 

If you haven't yet received your Form W-2 from CWRU, contact Payroll at payroll@case.edu.

For more information regarding the 1098-T, please visit the 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 International Tax Resources page and if you have any questions, the Sprintax team will be happy to help via their 24/7 live chat function or via email at hello@sprintax.com. Remember, VISA Office staff members cannot advise you on tax questions, so please reach out to Sprintax for help.

Sprintax Offers Tax Webinars to Prepare for Tax Filing Season 2023

The VISA Office partners with the tax experts at Sprintax, who offer tax filing services to international students who are considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes. The Sprintax team will be hosting a series of free open tax webinars to provide helpful information about non-resident tax filing obligations.

You can find the details and registration links below for each:

The informational webinars will cover the same topics on each occasion:

  • An overview of tax for nonresident students and scholars for the 2023 tax season
  • Who must file
  • Tax residency
  • FICA
  • State returns
  • Implications of misfiling
  • How to use Sprintax to prepare a compliant tax return

Features

Lunar New Year - Year of the Dragon

Friday, February 9 

Schedule of Events:
11:30 am - 2:00 pm - Red "Good Luck" envelopes and chocolate coins - Tinkham Veale University Center Lobby
6:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Hot Chocolate -Tinkham Veale University Center Lobby
7:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Fireworks Display - Freiberger Field

In collaboration with the Asian American Alliance, OISRE staff will hand out red envelopes with good luck coins (chocolates) in honor of the Year of the Dragon. The VISA Office staff will also attend! 

There will be a photo opportunity with the Lunar New Year Dragon. Students are encouraged to send their photos to international@case.edu for a chance to be featured on our social media pages. Join us for the celebration. To see even more community festivities for Lunar New Year, click on this link! 

Did you know that our University shuttles go directly to Asiatown, Walmart and Target? Get groceries and other items you may need by checking out this link. 

Financial Wellness Workshops and Info

 

Student Webinar: Repaying Student Loan Debt

Date: February 8th, 2024 at 4 pm ET

Description: As a recent graduate, you may soon find yourself responsible for multiple expenses in addition to student loans. Learn guidelines for establishing a positive cash flow and explore student loan repayment plans.

 

Student Webinar: Credit Scores and Reports: Understanding and Improving your Score

Date:  February 20th, 2024 at 7 pm ET

Description: Understand how credit scores and reports work to help you keep your finances healthy and achieve your financial goals, such as buying a new home, leasing a car, or paying off debt.

Article: What is Credit and Why is it Important: A Beginner's Guide to Credit | PNC Insights.

 

Improve your financial health in 2024! Be sure to join free financial education workshops provided by PNC’s My Finance Academy. Find the full spring schedule of webinars and registration at pnc.com/myfinanceacademy.

Education Abroad Announcements

Campus Happenings

Upcoming Career Fairs

Are you exploring career, internship and/or graduate school options? The Career Center will host two career expos during the spring 2024 semester to help you discover opportunities, grow your network and get first-hand information from representatives of top employers and graduate programs.  These events are open to current students and alumni.

2024 Virtual Career Fair, Thursday, February 8 — Noon to 4 p.m.

2024 Career, Education and Inspiration Expo, Friday, March 1 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, visit the Career Center website.

Integrity Week 2024

Integrity Week 2024, sponsored by the Academic Integrity Board (AIB), will feature a week’s worth of events starting February 12, with events all throughout the week and catering from Insomnia Cookies (2/12), The Sweet Spot (2/15), and Potbelly’s (2/16). The theme is “Global Perspectives on Integrity” as we seek to explore how integrity is seen from diverse perspectives. Check our Instagram @aibcwru for more information!

Resume Tips Workshop

The Cooperative Education Program at Case Western Reserve University will host a representative from Lockheed Martin for a résumé tips workshop Friday, Feb. 9, from 12:45 to 2 p.m. in Nord Hall, Room 356.

Brian Neiss, Akron site lead and engineering manager at Lockheed Martin, will lead this interactive, hands-on workshop.

All students are invited to attend to learn tips on how to polish their résumé.

Appetizers will be provided.

Space is limited; RSVP through Handshake to attend.

Questions? Email genine.apidone@case.edu.

Other Opportunities

If you would like to promote your event or opportunity through VISA News, please make a complete submission (including flyers, images, details, etc.) for consideration by noon on Monday to visa@case.edu. The VISA Office cannot guarantee that all submissions will appear in the newsletter, as space is limited, but staff will review all timely submissions for consideration.