Current PDSO Office Hours: Mondays - Fridays, by appointments
Traveling abroad during breaks?
Please have your PDSO endorse your form I-20 before you go. Each endorsement costs $15 and is good for one year.
Interested in Getting Practical Training(s)?
Please contact Mr. Jay Thompson, the Director of Church Relation and Mentored Ministry, about Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) opportunities. Please also consult your PDSO regarding all practical training policies.
Welcome to International Student Services!
Studying in the United States could be a blessing mixed with challenges at the same time. Getting your non-immigrant F-1 student visa is the just the beginning. After your have arrived in the US, the most important task is to maintain your F-1 status, which requires discipline as well as a thorough understanding of both US immigration and ITS policies.
International Student Services (ISS) at ITS understands your struggles. Under the division of Student Services and the supervision of VP in Student Life, the ISS is established to provide guidance and assistance to international applicants with the Admissions Office as well as all the international students at ITS. At ISS, Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Designated Student Official (DSO) are your international student advisors who tend to I-20 matters and give advice concerning your studying in the United States. If you have any questions or concerns about becoming or being an F-1 student, please feel free to contact us or look for information provided in the following sections.
Form I-20
If you are an international applicant, you will need a form I-20 to apply for an F-1 visa at your local US embassy. After you are officially admitted to ITS, please contact the Office of Admission to submit a request of form I-20.
Please refer to the international student life cycle explained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In order to receive an original copy of form(s) I-20,
Please pay at the DHL store in your home country.
Schedule a pick-up time and notify Nataliya by email so she can have the documents ready.
Email Nataliya Tereshchenko a packing slip/shipping label with a barcode that needs to be scanned during pick-up.
The pick up address is:
International Theological Seminary 540 E Vine. Ave. West Covina, CA 91790 USA
Pick up time in the Los Angeles County is:
Every Tuesday between 9 am and 1 pm.
Please email Natalyia if DHL needs her cellphone number for pick-up.
Depends on the country you are in.
In African countries, you will need an original copy of I-20. Please refer to the question, "How do I receive my form I-20" in this section.
In other countries, pdf copy of I-20 is acceptable. Please check with your local embassy.
A form I-20 basically does not expire if you use it with your F-1 Visa to arrive in the US on time (Please see the next segment "When should I arrive in the US").
It is very important to make sure the "Program Start Date" on your I-20 is still valid when you bring it to your visa appointment.
It is normal to have old and new form I-20. There are numerous reasons for an international student to get an updated one. There following are some common reasons:
- Change of degree program or education level (e.g. from one degree program to another one at ITS)
- Practical training(s)
- Extend or shorten program
- Bringing dependents (If applicable)
- I-20 replacement
The first issuance of I-20 is free. However, students must pay $30 I-20 fee when a new I-20 is generated, especially for the above reasons.
The fee(s) will be applied to your Populi account via this request link.
Your PDSO will need to endorse the second page of your form I-20 BEFORE you travel. Each endorsement costs $15.
For ITS students, the replacement fee of a lost form I-20 is $30.
Arriving and Leaving
New students are allowed by the US Immigration to arrive in the US within 30 days before the program start date and no later than 30 days after the program start date stated on your I-20.
Please also note that new students who are entering the Fall quarter are required to attend the new student orientations in late August and early September and report to your PDSO upon arrival.
It is highly recommended for students to arrange or book transportation ahead of time because it is very expensive and stressful to deal with it after arrival.
Please click on this link for complete directions if you plan to arrange transportation by yourself.
If you are a new dormitory student and need help going to the dormitory from the airport, ITS is able to help. Please click here to send an airport pick up request.
Please come see your PDSO one month before you transfer so that your transfer-out information can be entered in SEVIS.
You will need to report to your new school within 15 days of their program start date.
There are many reasons that lead to the termination of your status in SEVIS.
One of the possible situations is failure to register for your courses by the last day to add/drop your class AND lack of attendance (missing more than 2 weeks of class per quarter) during a quarter.
Your VP of Academic Affairs will decide if you are allowed to come back to ITS next quarter.
If you are allowed, your PDSO will request an reinstatement of your status in the SEVIS. You will have to file I-539 to USCIS to request the reinstatement. The cost of filing is $370, and it takes 2 -5 months for the USCIS to make a decision.
You can apply for reinstatement any time, but you will have to pay the SEVIS fee again if you wait for more than 5 months.
If you are NOT allowed to return, you will need to go back to your home country within 15 days.
Please read Termination Reasons explained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Graduated F-1 students are given 60 days from the program end date to leave the US.
Maintaining a Full-Time Status
According to the immigration policy, you are maintaining your Full-Time status if you engage in a "full course of study" every quarter defined by ITS.
The following is the guideline of the numbers of units or courses needed per quarter for the major degree programs:
MA = 16 units (2-year program)/ 4 units per course = 4 courses per quarter
MDiv = 12-16 units (3-year program)/ 4 units per course = 3-4 courses per quarter
DMin = 10 to 15 units (2-year program)/ 5 units per course = 2-3 courses per quarter
If you take less than the proposed number of units, you will NOT be able to graduate within the length of program.
Please refer to the Maintaining status explained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
ITS allows students to drop under full-time workload in their final quarter. You are allowed to have one quarter per degree program taking less than full-time workload.
You need to get approval from the Vice President of Academic Affairs before making a request to your PDSO.
ITS school policy only allows DMin students to extend their program for writing dissertations by 2 quarters. Also, the extension usually involves paying a penalty. You need to get approval from the Vice President of Academic Affairs before making a request of extension to your PDSO.
And It is also a good habit to inform your PDSO when you start writing your thesis or dissertation or when you are graduating this quarter.
Practical Trainings and Employment
ITS only employs student interns to work on campus, and job opportunities are very limited.
Internships mean that you do not get paid with money but you get to decide how much credits go to pay off your balance in your student financial accounts.
At ITS, there is also an "one-job policy". That means you cannot hold more than one intern job at ITS. Also, you cannot get an intern job on campus if you are one of key members of the student EXCO.
International students can only work off-campus with a "work permit" or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by the USCIS.
International students can only get EAD through Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
With EAD, international students will be able to apply for Social Security Numbers.
Please refer to F-1 off campus employment explained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
At ITS, only Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) are offered to the international students.
Each international student is entitled to 12 months of full-time practical training per Master's or Doctoral degree program.
For both CPT and OPT, your PDSO needs to make recommendations in SEVIS first before you start or apply for the practical training. A new I-20 will be issued, and you need to pay a fee of US$30.
Please read the next two sections for more details on CPT and OPT.
Please also refer to the CPT and OPT explained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
For Curricular Practical Training (CPT) , each international student is entitled to 12 months of full-time practical training per Master's or Doctoral degree program. Be aware that if you have completed more than 365 days of Full-Time of CPT , you will NOT be eligible for OPT.
Please feel free to use a calculator tool to plan ahead for your CPT and your eligibility for OPT.
International students can only apply for CPT after one academic year of full-time study, or 42 units, but before the program end date on their forms I-20. Students need to have taken some courses related to the field of their internship.
Please note that ITS allows students to do no more than 10 hours per week of CPT during school sessions and 20 hours per week of CPT during school breaks.
CPT is offered by school quarters. In order to do CPT, students must enroll in a CPT course (MM101* or MM102) for the quarter.
Also, your PDSO must enter your CPT information in SEVIS first before you start your practical training. A new I-20 will be issued, and you need to pay a fee of US$30 to ITS.
In order to obtain CPT, please make an appointment to meet with Mr. Jay Thompson, the Director of Church Relations and Mentored Ministry (CRMM) BEFORE you see your PDSO. The office of CRMM is now in charge of CPT, and students must submit all the required documents to CRMM.
Please also refer to the CPT explained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Each international student is entitled to 12 months of full-time Optional Practical Training (OPT) per Master's or Doctoral degree program. Be aware that if you have completed more than 365 days of Full-Time (i.e. more than 10 hours per week during school sessions and 20 hours during school breaks) of CPT , you are NOT eligible for OPT.
Please feel free to use a calculator tool to plan ahead for your C/OPT.
International students can apply for OPT after one academic year of full-time study. Students need to have taken some courses related to the field of their internships.
For OPT, international students are allowed to submit Forms I-765, Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications, to USCIS within 90 days before the program end date or within 60 days after the program end date on the I-20s.
Students have to start their OPT within 60 days after the program end date. It is recommended to apply at least two months ahead of time as EAD (or work permit) take about 2 months to arrive at any US addresses.
For OPT, please meet with your PDSO first. Your PDSO must make recommendations in SEVIS first before you can apply. A new I-20 will be issued, and you need to pay a fee of US$30 to ITS.
Once the recommendation is made in your SEVIS record, you have 30 days to apply for I-765.
At ITS, there is an OPT policy. If you have received tuition grant(s) from ITS, have done your OPT but change your F-1 status afterwards, you will have to pay back a certain percentage of your tuition grant. An OPT package will be given to you during the OPT request appointment with your PDSO.
When you start your OPT, you must already have reported your employer name and address to your PDSO. You must inform your PDSO about any job changes during the one year of OPT. Each day without the address will count as an unemployment. You will be "Out of Status" if you are "unemployed" for more than 90 days in total. Your OPT will end immediately, and you will have to leave the US.
Please also refer to OPT explained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Social Security Number and You
Social Security Number (SSN) is mostly used for tax-filing purposes and applying for a credit card. Moreover, SSN is required for US permanent residents and citizens to apply for any government benefits. SSN is permanent but not password protected. Therefore, SSN should be kept in a safe place as your identity and benefits could be stolen when it's lost.
If you are not eligible to get SSN but needs to report non-wage income, you can apply for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Please see Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) page for details.
Please refer to Obtaining a Social Security Number explained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
At ITS, on campus job is the fastest way to obtain a Social Security Number.
For on-campus job, both your PDSO and your supervisor need to write letters to prove your F-1 status and on-campus employment respectively. Please bring a total of three letters, I-94, your new I-20 and your passport with F-1 visa to the Social Security office near you.
CPT is another opportunity to get a Social Security Number (SSN).
For CPT, you need to have completed one year of full-time study at ITS.
Second, you need to find an employer within your field of study who can offer you a practical training with pay.
Third, Both your PDSO and the employer need to write letters to prove your F-1 status and practical training respectively.
Fourth, you bring the two letters, I-94, your new I-20 and your passport with F-1 visa to the Social Security office near you.
Please refer to Obtaining a Social Security Number explained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Please refer to International Students and Social Security Numbers provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Bringing Dependents
Unfortunately, the answer is No.
Living in California USA, especially in Los Angeles and after the pandemic, is very expensive. Almost all of our students cannot afford bring their families over.
The following is a breakdown of the expenses involved:
- Your tuition fees for the whole degree program (ITS tuition grant is only for students who come here by themselves).
- Off-campus housing for your whole family (Dormitories are for single students only). Cost of rent is very high in the Los Angeles County.
- No on-campus job opportunities for students living off-campus and lack of off-campus employment eligibility.
- Medical expenses, including private health insurance and medications for children and young adults under 26 year old. In 2024, Medi-Cal covers any individuals aged 26 to 49 (subject to change).
- Education expenses for your dependents - The cost of preschool and daycare for infants and young children are especially high.
- A car to go places, a necessity living in Los Angeles.
- Food and daily necessities.
In order to appeal. please first contact the PDSO at ITS.
Normal procedure involves providing an appeal letter from the student, and a letter AND bank statement from his/her sponsor(s) in the US showing that all the tuition fees and living expenses will be covered. Your case will be submitted to a special administrative unit at ITS for considerations.
Contact Us
540 E Vine Ave West Covina CA 91790 USA
iss@itsla.edu • 626-653-9547 ext. 106
Thanks for your message! We’ll be in touch soon.