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| Discover HPU's... |
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| Faculty Diversity Value Outcomes Student Life Discover Hawaii Pacific University! Ho'olu komo la kaua! |
Alexandra Meyland-Smith
BSBA
The professors at HPU are devoted, hard-working people who want to share their knowledge with their students. Also, the guest speakers who are invited to class are inspiring and want to share everything they know with you.
Maintaining Immigration Status
Once you have arrived at Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU), our job is to ensure that your stay in the U.S. is smooth with regards to maintaining your student status. International Student Services (ISS) is the department that serves the needs of the international student population at Hawai‘i Pacific University. Below are some important things you always need to consider when in the United States:
Full-Time Requirement
International students are required by U.S. immigration regulations to be registered full-time during the regular fall and spring semesters. Read more...
Online Courses
Students enrolled in online classes may take no more than the equivalent of one class or three (3) credits per semester to be counted toward the full course of study requirement. Read More...
I am moving - How do I change my address?
International Students MUST notify United States Immigration AND Hawai`i Pacific University of address changes within ten (10) days of a move/address update. This is required throughout your course of study and during Optional Practical Training (OPT). Read more...
Mandatory Health Insurance
Throughout the duration of fall and spring semesters, all full-time international students are required to either purchase one of the HPU health insurance plans, or obtain a waiver. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in a hold (i.e. no transcripts can be obtained, no further course registration can be possible) being placed on your account. Read more...
Travel Outside the U.S.
Please make sure that you know the basic requirements for an F-1 student to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad on pleasure or personal business. Read more...
I-20 Extension
Students should always be aware of the completion date on their I-20 (#5 on Page 1 of the I-20). If you need to study beyond this completion date in order to complete your degree, you must submit a request for an extension to International Student Services BEFORE your I-20 expires. Read more...
Reinstatement of Status
Reinstatement is required when there is a violation of status. When applying for reinstatement, you are asking the United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) to grant your status back. Read more...
Registering for Less than Full Time
There are are some instances where there may be a need to be registered less than full-time. You need to make an appointment to see an International Student Advisorto dropping below full-time status. Read more...
Transferring Out?
Students who plan to change schools, either for the same or different educational level, will need to have a transfer eligibility form from the new school completed by an ISA at HPU and returned to the new school. Upon acceptance, a verification of acceptance must be received from the new school. A transfer release will be entered into SEVIS. The new school will issue a new I-20. Read more...
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I-20 Start Date |
Total Credits Undergraduate |
Total Credits Graduate |
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Sum 1 |
12 |
9 |
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Sum 2 |
9 |
6 |
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Sum 3 |
3 |
3 |
- Initial difficulties with the English language.
- Initial difficulties with reading requirements.
- Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods.
- Improper course level placement.
- Leave of absence.
- Medical reasons.
- Final semester with less than a full course load to complete degree requirements. The last class by itself cannot be an online class.
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How to notify about your address change
To inform the University, simply update your address on your Campus Pipeline account. You can also speak to the Registrar or an International Student Advisor in person. When this change is made to your university "mailing address", the new address will be sent via batch to the Department of Homeland Security. This will also update your I-20 information and your address in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System).
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Name Update
An official name change should be updated with both United States Immigration and Hawai`i Pacific University. International students with a change to their name should follow the above instructions for informing United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (AR-11 Process). To report name changes to the University, you must first inform the Registrar directly, who will make the change to your student record. Next, you must meet with an International Student Advisor to obtain a new I-20, reflecting the change in your name.
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Throughout the duration of fall and spring semesters, all full-time international students are required to either purchase one of the HPU health insurance plans, or obtain a waiver. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in a hold (i.e. no transcripts can be obtained, no further course registration can be possible) being placed on your account.
If you are not purchasing an HPU medical plan, you must submit an official proof of your coverage (meeting the above stated requirements) in ENGLISH only. Please click on the link to download the Health Insurance Waiver Request Form.
Contact the International Center for any questions
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Traveling Outside the United States
What are the basic requirements for an F-1 student to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad on pleasure or personal business?
1. A SEVIS Form I-20, signed for re-entry by an International Student Advisor
In order to obtain a re-entry signature, please ensure all holds on your account have been cleared. Plan accordingly and drop off your I-20 at the International Center (UB 1100) approximately three weeks prior to depature. Complete the Travel Notification Form, attach your I-20 and submit to International Center for processing. Allow 2-3 day turnaround for re-entry signature on your SEVIS form.
2. You have been out of the United States for less than five months
3. A current passport valid for at least six months after the date of your re-entry
4. A valid, current visa OR you traveled to a contiguous country or adjacent island for less than thirty days
Bringing your most recent I-94, Departure Card, will facilitate your re-entry, if re-entering through a land port of entry. If you are flying, the airline will collect your I-94 prior to depature and you will complete a new one upon re-entry.
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Students should always be aware of the completion date on their I-20 (#5 on Page 1 of the I-20). If you need to study beyond this completion date in order to complete your degree, you must submit a request for an extension to International Student Services BEFORE your I-20 expires.
Your Academic Advisor must approve your I-20 extension, verifying the appropriate amount of time needed for you to complete your degree. You must then request a new I-20 with a new expiry date from International Student Services. Students needing an extension should apply the semester the I-20 is expiring following the process below:
I-20 Extension Process:
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Meet with Academic Advisor who will complete the I-20 Change Request Form. This form is available with the Academic Advisor or at the International Center
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Obtain signature of Academic Advisor who will verify a new completion date on the I-20 Change Request Form under "Program Extension"
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Drop off I-20 Change Request Form, along with original I-20s at the International Center.
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Allow for 3 business days processing. A new I-20 will be complete by an International Student Advisor.
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If your I-20 has expired, and you are still studying at HPU, you are in violation of your student status. You must meet with an International Student Advisor to discuss options for reinstatement. Reinstatement refers to the application process requesting your student status back after a violation has occurred. The Reinstatement application is sent through United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Reinstatement is required when there is a violation of status. When applying for reinstatement, you are asking the United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) to grant your status back. Violations can be a result of any one or more of the following:
-Failing to register full-time for a fall or spring semester (unless otherwise authorized by an International Student Advisor).
-Failing to make normal forward progress towards acquiring your degree. (This means that you must maintain a satisfactory grade point average and complete your required classes in a timely manner).
-Failing to apply for an extension in a timely manner.
-Changing your level of study without obtaining a new I-20.
-Failing to keep current address updated with university and Immigration Entering the U.S. with an I-20 issued by one school and attending another.
Students with these issues should contact International Student Services for any questions.
Effective July 30, 2007, the fee for filing reinstatement increases from $200 to $300.
Registering for Less Than Full Time
There are are some instances where there may be a need to be registered less than full-time. You need to make an appointment to see an International Student Advisor to dropping below full-time status. Below are the only acceptable reasons that a student may not be enrolled full-time:
Initial difficulties with the English language.
Initial difficulties with reading requirements.
Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods.
Improper course level placement.
Leave of absence.
Medical reasons.
Final semester with less than a full course load to complete degree requirements.
The last class by itself cannot be an online class.
Students should make an appointment to see an International Student Advisor if any of the above situations have occurred. In some cases, reinstatement is not always the best solution to the problem.
Students who plan to change schools, either for the same or different educational level, will need to have a transfer eligibility form from the new school completed by an ISA at HPU and returned to the new school. Upon acceptance, a verification of acceptance must be received from the new school. A transfer release will be entered into SEVIS. The new school will issue a new I-20.
If you are out of status (i.e. have not been full-time at the prior school), you will be required to apply for reinstatement at the new school.
If you are leaving the U.S. between changing schools, re-enter using the new school’s I-20. This will replace the transfer procedure without going through the above process. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL WHOSE I-20 YOU USE TO ENTER THE U.S.
