Forms and Guides
Forms and Guides for F-1 Students
Please complete this form upon arriving to Bozeman for your studies, and at the start of each subsequent semester while at Montana State University, and bring the completed form to the Office of International Programs (SUB 183). Additionally, please also be sure to have your most current I-20 and your passport/visa with you as well. We will make copies of your documents to attach to your check-in form.
As a matter of practice, MUS Student Health Insurance coverage is added to the student account of each enrolled student, every semester. To waive this insurance coverage, two things are required:
- A completed and signed health insurance waiver
- Documentation of alternate health insurance coverage
The waiver may be completed, and insurance documentation may be uploaded via DocuSign by clicking 'Waive Montana University System (MUS) Health Insurance' above
If your original reason for coming to the United States changes, you may be required to change your non-immigrant status to a different one before you lawfully begin to engage in activities you want to pursue.
A nonimmigrant is is eligible to change to F-2 status in the following circumstances:
- Spouse is an F-1 student or
- Spouse has changed to F-1 status from another nonimmigrant classification
An F-1 student may be enrolled in two different SEVIS-approved schools at one time as long as the combined enrollment amounts to a full time course of study.
The purpose of this form is to notify International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) of an intent to take a leave of absence or withdraw from Montana State University.
An F-1 student who is currently maintaining status and making normal progress toward completing their education objective, but is unable to complete course of study before their I20 expires, may be eligible for a program extension if the student applies before the program end date on their I-20 and meets requirements.
An international student in F-1 status is considered to be pursuing a full course of study even though enrolled for less than the "full-time" credit load under specified circumstances certified by a school official, designated by the USCIS and International Student and Scholar Advisor.
Students will use this form to request a transfer of their SEVIS record to another U.S. institution. Students must maintain an active and valid status until the time of transfer.
A guide to reinstatement for a student who has failed to maintain status who may be reinstated to lawful F-1 status at the discretion of the USCIS under limited conditions.
Forms and Guides for J-1 Students
The purpose of this form is to notify International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) of an intent to take a leave of absence or withdraw from Montana State University.
An J-1 student who is currently maintaining status and making normal progress toward completing his or her education objective, but is unable to complete his or her course of study by the program end date on the DS-2019, may be eligible for a program extension if the student applies before the program end date on the DS-2019 and meets all eligibility requirements.
J-1 exchange visitors in the university student (undergraduate or graduate level) category are required to be engaged in a full course of study. A full course of study is defined as 12 credits per semester for undergraduate students and 9 credits per semester for graduate students. There are exceptions to the full course of study requirement if certain conditions are met.
Students currently in J-1 status studying in the U.S. who plan to transfer to Montana State University must complete the transfer procedure through SEVIS. This form must be completed and returned to an advisor in International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).
Students will use this form to request a transfer of their SEVIS record to another U.S. institution. Students must maintain an active and valid status until the time of transfer. If you are pre-registered for a future semester or are transferring after the start of the semester, you must withdraw from Montana State University to ensure that you are not billed for classes that may be on a current or future semester registration.
Employment Forms and Guides for Current Students
CPT is a benefit for F-1 students that must be "an integral part of an established curriculum" that grants permission to work off campus per compliance guidelines.
An F-1 student, may qualify for optional practical training which allows the student to engage in temporary employment to gain practical experience in his or her field of study.
A guide that explains the process of applying for OPT for an F01 student to engage in temporary employment to gain practical experience in his or her field of study.
Students who are currently on OPT and who graduated with a qualifying degree in a STEM major (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) may be eligible to apply for an additional 24-month extension of their OPT.
A guide for students currently on OPT, in a STEM field, who may be eligible to apply for an additional 24-month extension of their OPT.
Academic Training is permission to work anywhere in the U.S. for training purposes granted to Exchange students in good J-1 standing. This allows them to remain in the U.S. after their program of studies ends.