Resources for Current International Students
Additional Time Allowance on Exams
Students who are non-native speakers of English (NNSE) (international or permanent resident/citizens) may request extended test-taking time (time and a half).
This accommodation applies to exams and does not apply to other forms of evaluation (papers, projects, group presentations) or to situations in which students must demonstrate clinical or similar skills.
Eligibility is determined by the Department of Languages and is good for one semester.
Eligibility:
Students are eligible for Additional Test Time for NNSE if they meet all of the following requirements :
· Have a first language other than English
· Are in their first two (2) semesters in academic courses
· Submitted a TOEFL or equivalent English Proficiency score of less than 90
Requests cannot be used for ESL, LANG, or other courses in which the primary language of instruction is not English.
If any of these qualifications are not met, the request can be denied. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Additional Test Time Approval Steps:
1. Students submit the Request for Additional Test Time Student – Initiated eform.
a. Log-in with your UW-Eau Claire username and password
b. Eform instructions:
i. Course Name: List the full name of the course, not the subject or abbreviated course name
1. Example: Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading & Writing
ii. Course #: Include the subject and course number
1. Example: WRIT 114
iii. Course Section: List the specific section number for the course
1. Example: Section .024
iv. Instructor: Type the family name of your instructor and choose the correct instructor
2. Deadlines for Submitting Request
a. Fall and Spring Semester: Two (2) weeks before the exam or quiz
b. Winterim and Summer: First day of classes
3. When approved, you will receive an email notification of your approved courses. Your instructors will also receive the same email.
4. Talk with your instructor to plan the time and location of your accommodation request.
Please contact Lisa Lee (leels@uwec.edu), ESL Academic Coordinator, with any questions.
If you are a UWEC-Barron County international student, please contact your International Student Advisor at Barron County to apply for an extended time.
Scholarships
Gold for Blugolds is where you can find scholarship information for continuing international students including scholarships from academic departments and leadership opportunities.
Health Insurance
All international students and scholars are required to purchase accident and sickness, medical evacuation, and repatriation insurance each semester throughout their studies. Insurance is a requirement of the University of Wisconsin System in addition to some student visas. Students are charged for insurance through their student bill and are automatically enrolled by the Center for International Education (CIE).
Students and Scholars are required to purchase insurance for all dependents who may accompany them to the United States on a dependent visa.
Dates of Enrollment:
- Fall 2023 Semester Enrollment Dates: August 5th, 2023 - December 31st, 2023
- Spring 2024 Semester Enrollment Dates: January 1st, 2024 - August 4th, 2024
Wellfleet is your insurance provider.
For plan summary, claims information, contact information, and ID card visit the Wellfleet website. You will need to create a username and password to log in.
U.S. Taxes
All International students are required to file tax documents each year, even if they do not work in the United States. All tax documents must be submitted by April 15th every year.
Sprintax is offers tax support to students on F-1 and J-1 visas. You are eligible for a discount through your university account. Please check your email for a discount code from the CIE.
The CIE is unable to help advise students on filing their United State income taxes.
On-Campus Employment
Obtaining a Social Security Number for On-Campus Work
In order to be employed, on-campus international students must obtain a social security number. Students must download this Social Security Number Request Form or pick it up from the Center for International Education in Schofield 3.
An international student adviser will look over the form and complete the process which can up to a week. Once the form is signed by an international student adviser, the student will receive an email saying their form is ready to be picked up.
The student can then take the form to the social security office along with supporting documents (please see the back side of the SSN).
Reporting a Change to On-Campus Employment
The CIE is required to report changes to your on-campus employment to the US Government. Please contact an international student advisor at international@uwec.edu to report changes any time you start a new job or end a current job.
Inviting Friends or Family to Visit
Family members (other than your spouse and children) wishing to visit the US must apply for a "tourist" visa at the US embassy or consulate in their home countries. There is no documentation available from the CIE for tourist visa applications.
Ensure that your family members have the following evidence, which will be helpful during the visa application process:
- Invitation letter from you: Write a letter of invitation that includes the following: your name and your reason for living in the US, the names of your family members who wish to visit, the purpose and approximate length of the visit, and whether you will provide room and board or any other financial assistance for the visit.
- Your evidence of funding: If you provide room and board or any other specific expenses of the trip (such as airfare), you should supply evidence of your funding such as a bank statement or employment letter. There is no minimum dollar amount that you must reflect; but you should indicate an amount that is reasonable for the level of support you are providing.
- Evidence of your status in the US: provide your family members with a copy of your I-20 (do NOT send the original) and other documents verifying your status in the US. (It is not necessary to get a new I-20 when inviting family members).
- Evidence of intent to return home: Your family members must prove that they will return home after visiting the US. Documents showing employment, property ownership, close family relations in home country, or enrollment in school (in the home country) are considered good evidence of intent to return home.
- Family Members' Evidence of Funding: If your family members intend to cover their own expenses, they should provide a bank statement, employment verification or other evidence of funding.
Consult the web! The US State Department/Bureau of Consular Affairs has a website (www.travel.state.gov) with additional information about applying for a tourist visa. In addition, many individual consulates will have more specific information about inviting family members on their websites. You can find links to US Consulates around the world on the above site or at www.embassyworld.com.
If you are inviting your spouse or children (under the age of 21) to the US, please visit a Document Specialist during walk-in hours for information about dependent visas.
The US State Department/Bureau of Consular Affairs has a website with additional information about applying for a tourist visa. In addition, many individual consulates will have more specific information about inviting family members on their websites. You can find links to US Consulates around the world on the above site or at www.embassyworld.com.