What is a DSO?
A DSO is a “designated school official” or an Avila employee person who helps international students complete necessary paperwork required by U.S. immigration. Avila currently has 5 DSOs.
The DSOs at Avila have different responsibilities. Please look at the table below to see who can best help you with any questions you may have.
DSO |
Responsibilities |
Melinda Peterson |
Create new ILCP I-20s,
Sign existing ILCP I-20s |
David Deitch |
Create new graduate I-20s,
Sign all existing I-20s,
Authorize off-campus work,
Answer immigration policy questions
Approve program extensions |
Joanna Giffin |
Create new MBA I-20s |
Bruce Inwards |
Create new ILCP I-20s,
Sign existing ILCP I-20s
Answer immigration policy questions |
Sue King |
Sign all existing I-20s,
Answer immigration policy questions |
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Do I have to be a full-time student every semester or trimester?
If you have a student (F-1) visa, you must be a full-time student every semester that you study in the U.S. MBA students must be full-time every trimester. For undergraduate students, full-time means a minimum of 12 credits at Avila each semester while graduate students should take a minimum of 9 credits at Avila each semester. Students in the MBA trimester program should be taking a minimum of 6 credits at Avila each trimester.
In certain situations, international students can be part-time students. However, permission to take classes part-time must be given by a DSO. Final permission to take classes part-time cannot be given by your academic advisor, an instructor, or a doctor. You may get permission to be a part-time student if:
- You are in your last semester of studies and you do not need a full load of classes to graduate or
- You have a medical condition preventing you from studying and have a signed letter from a doctor stating that you cannot attend classes due to a medical condition.
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What happens to me if I do not take classes for a semester or become a part-time student without receiving permission from a DSO?
Every semester, U.S. universities have to report whether or not you have been properly maintaining your student visa status. If you are not attending classes or are a part-time student without a valid reason, your I-20 will be terminated. Once your I-20 is terminated, you will be in the U.S. illegally and could be subject to deportation. In some cases, it is possible to have your student status reinstated but you will need to write a letter to U.S. immigration explaining why you did not attend school, complete several immigration forms and pay a fee. If immigration determines that your reason for not attending school is invalid, your request to be reinstated will be denied. During this process, a DSO determines whether you may stay enrolled in courses at Avila University.
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Is it okay for me to return to my country for a semester or longer and then come back to study?
You can return to your country for a semester or more and then come back to study as long as your student visa is still valid. However, depending on how long you are out of the U.S., you may need to receive a new I-20. Failure to obtain a new I-20 from your university before returning to the U.S. could mean that you would reenter the U.S. with a terminated I-20. In such a situation, you may be denied entry into the U.S. See your DSO if you have any questions.
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I am going back to my country to visit my parents over a class break. When should I return for the next semester?
It would be best if you returned to the U.S. at least one or two days before classes start. Students returning more than a few days after classes have started may find that they have been dropped from their classes for non-attendance. If you are not enrolled in classes, you will be out of status.
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Is there anything that I should do before I return home to my country during a school break?
Before going home to your country during a school break, make sure that you have registered for classes. Classes can fill up fast, and if you register when you return, some of your class choices may be unavailable. It is also important that you have your I-20 signed by a DSO before you return home in order to make sure that you will have no problems reentering the U.S. Keep your I-20 with your passport at all times so that you do not lose it.
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How can I get a job in the U.S.?
If you are on a student visa, you are normally only allowed to work at your school. You are able to apply for any on-campus position that is open for all students and that is not a work-study position. Work-study jobs are funded by the U.S. government and are not available to international students. If a campus job is available, you are able to work up to 20 hours per week. However, remember that non-work study jobs are limited and may not be available for 20 hours per week.
Can I only work at my university?
Any off-campus job must be approved by U.S. immigration. Without permission, you are not allowed to work off-campus in any job for which you will get paid. If you are caught working illegally, you could be sent back to your home country. University employees do not have the authority to permit you to have an off-campus job. As U.S. immigration wants you to mainly be a student, they only give international students permission to work off-campus in certain situations. In addition, you are only permitted to seek permission to work off-campus after studying in the U.S. for one academic year.
Contact a DSO if you have questions.
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How do I receive approval from U.S. immigration to begin practical training (OPT)?Students who have finished their degree in the U.S. are eligible to request permission to work off-campus for practical training. To obtain practical training, you will need to complete Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. You will also need to include a copy of Form I-94, your recently signed I-20, two passport pictures, and an application fee of $195. Once you have all of these items ready, bring them to the Registrar’s office to be completed. Apply a few months before you would like your practical training to begin as it takes time for U.S. immigration to process your request. Practical training is good for one year and is in your field of study. You need to have maintained your student status for a minimum of one academic year before being eligible for practical training.
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My I-20 is about to expire. What should I do?
If you have not yet completed your degree and your I-20 is about to expire, it is important that you request a program extension. A program extension will ensure that your I-20 is current and that your immigration record is correct. The expiration date is located in section number 5 of your I-20. To request a program extension, please see a DSO.
I-20 Note: Remember that your I-20 needs to be current for as long as you are studying in the U.S. If you go home during a holiday, you will need your I-20 signed. Students who leave the U.S. for several months and then return will often need a new I-20. Failure to obtain a new I-20 may result in a loss of your student status. Check with aDSO if you have any questions regarding your I-20.
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