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Extension of F-1 Stay

Although as an F-1 student you are admitted to the United States for "duration of status" to complete your degree of study, you must actually complete your program before the program end date indicated in the I-20. A student who will not complete the academic program by that date must apply to the DSO for an extension at least 30 days before the program end date. Important If you fail to request a new Form I-20 for Program Extension before your current I-20 expires, or you are otherwise determined to be ineligible, then you will be considered out of status and must file for reinstatement with the USCIS. For further information, contact the DSO in Academic Advising. Deadline for Extensions An extension of your I-20 must be completed before the end date of the document. You must submit all required documentation to the DSO in Academic Advising at least 30 days prior to the end date on your I-20. If your I-20 expires while you are still a student, you will be considered in violation of your status.

Knowledge Network

Martin TawilAssociate Dean, Teaching & Learning CenterPhone: (239) 489-9337Extension: 11337Location: Lee Q221E-Mail:   Areas of Expertise AccountingFinancial AccountingManagement AccountingTaxationEducationClassroom ManagementCurriculumDoctoral EducationEducation ResearchLeadership

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do I need to provide a bank statement indicating $ 22,090.12 (If living with sponsor) or $31,019.12 (If living on own) to pursue an associate degree? Will it cost me that much to attend your school?Answer - This is an estimate of how much it will cost for one year including tuition, fees, health insurance, books, living expenses, travel and misc. If you are frugal, it may not cost you the full amount, but this is a fair estimate of what most students will need.2. I am from an English speaking country; do I still need to take the TOEFL exam?Answer - No, students from English speaking countries are not required to submit TOEFL scores, but you may benefit from studying for the TOEFL because you will be required to take college placement tests in English after you arrive on campus. These tests examine your ability to use standard American English.3. Can international students work?Answer - Yes, international students can work 20 hours per week on campus. However, the number of on-campus positions is limited and very competitive. Most positions require native-like English speaking ability. International students cannot work off campus without permission from the US Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services.4. When should I arrive on campus?Answer - Typically Immigration will not allow you to enter until 30 days prior to the start of a semester. You should arrive at least two weeks before classes start to complete assessment tests, register for classes, settle into living accommodations, purchase books and attend orientation.5. How many classes must I take?Answer - A minimum of 12 billable/credit hours per semester each spring and fall; summer classes are optional unless your first term is summer. Twelve credits is usually 4 classes.6. Why do I need health insurance?Answer - Private health care in the US is very expensive so FSW requires all international students to have health insurance. In addition, we recommend that you have eye, dental and general physical examinations done before leaving your home country, since they will probably cost you much less than in the US. Also, bring any prescription medication and eyeglasses along with medical documentation with you. These are very expensive in the US.7. Does Florida SouthWestern State College provide housing on any of the campuses?Answer - Florida SouthWestern State College has on-campus housing on Lee Campus.8. How do I invite family members to visit?Answer - Family members who are NOT children (under 21) or spouse of the F-1 student should apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa which allows eligibility to visit the United States temporarily for tourism or business purposes. Family members from certain countries may be eligible to travel to the U.S. for visits of up to 90 days without a B-1/B-2 visa through the U.S. Department of State Visa Waiver Program. It is recommended that you give your family members a letter of invitation to document the purpose of their visit.9. What is the SEVIS fee and do I need to pay it?Answer - This SEVIS fee is required of all foreign nationals who come to the United States for the purpose of pursuing a full course of study in institutions such as colleges, universities, and language training programs. It is payable one time for each single educational program in which an F-1 student participates, extending from the time the student is granted F-1 status to the time the student falls out of status, changes status, or departs the U.S. for an extended period of time.10. Can I get a student loan or financial aid?Answer - International students are not eligible for U.S. federal student loans or aid.11. After I’ve been at the College for a year will I be eligible for in-state tuition?Answer - Unfortunately, F-1 students are always considered a resident of their home country and are not eligible for in-state tuition.

Join Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is to recognize academic achievement of college students and to provide opportunities for growth as a scholar and leader.Membership in Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society guarantees you access to benefits that will recognize your outstanding academic accomplishments and provide you with the competitive edge that helps ensure future success. These benefits are unmatched by any other collegiate honor society.Membership recognizes your academic successPhi Theta Kappa Golden Key Membership PinPhi Theta Kappa Membership Certificate and ID CardRecognition during college induction ceremonyNotation of membership on your college transcriptRecognition by wearing Phi Theta Kappa commencement regalia during college graduation and other official ceremoniesPress release announcing your academic achievementMembership empowers you with a competitive edge$90 million in national scholarship opportunitiesTransfer ScholarshipsOpportunity to be published in Phi Theta Kappa's anthology, Nota BeneOpportunities to develop research and servant leadership skills by participating in Honors in Action programming with the local chapterOpportunity to become part of a network of nearly 3 million fellow scholars and servant leaders on more than 1,285 campuses worldwidePersonalized letters of recommendation for scholarships and employmentTo be eligible for membership: You must have completed at least 12 hours of coursework that may be applied to an associate degree.You must generally have a grade point average of 3.5.You must receive an invitation to membership from the chapter at the college where presently enrolled.You must adhere to the moral standards of the society.To find out if you are eligible for Phi Theta Kappa membership, contact your local chapter advisor.

Scholarships

With over $90 million in scholarships nationally for eligible members, Phi Theta Kappa helps you finish the dreams you started. Scholarships Categories Associate Applications Open In Spring Bachelor’s Applications Open In FallMaster’s Applications Open In FallOther Application dates varyTransfer Scholarships Available at nearly 750 senior institutions. Find colleges in your state that offer transfer scholarships.Scholarships are administered by each senior institution.Find Colleges Offering Transfer Scholarships

Donald Ransford

Professor, Mathematics Edit This Profile Email: Donald.Ransford@fsw.edu Phone: (239) 489-9090 Extension: 11090 Location: LEE U112F Department: School of Pure and Applied Sciences Education (Degrees and Certifications) B. S., Music Education (1982) Indiana State University M.S., Mathematics Education (1987) Indiana State University

Knowledge Network

Joel ReinkingProfessor, Political SciencePhone: Extension: Location: E-Mail:   Areas of Expertise HistoryAmerican History And EventsPoliticsAmerican Politics Brandon JettProfessor, HistoryPhone: (863) 674-6043Extension: 66043Location: Hendry/Glades A105E-Mail: Vitae   Areas of Expertise HistoryAmerican History And Events

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Contact Us

Thomas Edison (Lee) CampusAdvisorsAmanda Zirzow amanda.zirzow@fsw.eduJacquelyn Davis jacquelyn.davis@fsw.eduSonji Nicholas Sonji.Nicholas@fsw.eduCollier CampusAdvisorsJacquelyn Davis jacquelyn.davis@fsw.eduSonji Nicholas Sonji.Nicholas@fsw.edu

FACULTY PROFILES

Dr. Gerald Anzalone Professor Jordan Donini Dr. Myriam Mompoint CURC with Gus and Jordan

FACULTY RESOURCES

For information concerning internal and external grants, research reassign time, and sabbatical, click on this link to Team AAspire https://www.fsw.edu/aaspire/osprFor professional development opportunities, click on this link to the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence https://www.fsw.edu/tlc For information regarding financial support for travel, supplies, and memberships related to your teaching or research click on this link to the Professional Development Committee https://www.fsw.edu/vpaa/professionaldevelopementcommitee

STUDENT PROFILES

Internships

If you are interested in publishing original work or attending conferences, please check out the websites below and contact Dr. Brandon Jett for more information (brandon.jett@fsw.edu).Undergraduate Research Journals for publication: FGCU Aquila https://journals.flvc.org/FGCUAquila/about/submissions Journal of Young Investigators https://www.jyi.org/ Student Pulse http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/ Sanctuary http://www.srhconline.org/sanctuaryUndergraduate Research Conferences:Florida Undergraduate Research Association Conference: https://www.floridaundergradresearch.org/furc-2024 Posters at the Capitol: https://www.floridaundergradresearch.org/posters-at-the-capitol-2024 Florida Collegiate Honors Conference: https://www.fchchonors.org/conference Southern Regional Honors Conference: http://www.srhconline.org/conference Humanities Education and Research Association Conference https://www.utep.edu/liberalarts/hera/conference/ Florida Communication Association Conference https://floridacom.org/conferences-events/Internships:To earn college credit for an internship, fill out this form https://amgenscholars.com/: Summer program in science and biotechnology at a number of leading research institutions https://biology.mit.edu/outreach/msrpbio/ https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/internship-programs/ https://www.training.nih.gov/research-training/pb/sip/ccsep/: Community College Summer Internship Program https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities?f%5b0%5d=student_educator_eligibility:ugrad: Specialized information for undergraduate students https://med.umn.edu/gps/undergraduate-research/life-sciences-summer

ONE THEME ONE COLLEGE (OTOC)

How many times over the last few years have we collectively said, “I’ve never seen anything like that before!” From climate change (Hello Hurricanes Helene and Milton!) to the omnipresence, not omniscience...yet, of AI, from the new housing developments across Southwest Florida to the new Culver’s in LaBelle, it seems no part of our lives remains static for very long. In recognition of this reality, the One Theme, One College Committee has dedicated our annual academic theme to exploring how changes are shaping our world and how we are reacting to them. We kicked off our year with an amazing lecture and discussion titled, “Screenwriting in the Age of A.I.” presented by writer and producer, Matt Lopez. The second event of our calendar looked at changes much closer to home, right here at FSW. Lee Campus SGA President Destiny Sanchez led a roundtable discussion featuring Drs. Jeffrey Allbritten, Ian Neuhard, and Rebecca Harris. Each panelist provided an assessment of the major changes that occurred during their tenure at FSW and what they expected to see happen in the future.Our signature event for the Spring semester is a talk and discussion by Dr. Sid Dobrin on Tuesday, February 18th from 10:00-11:30 in U-102. Dr. Dobrin is an English Professor at the University of Florida whose research focuses on emerging writing technologies such as A.I., Augmented Reality, and Virtual Reality.In addition to our events, we’ve also collaborated with FSW Libraries to bring a selection of booksthat relate to the theme of Our Changing Worlds. Across all FSW sites, you will find book displaysprominently featured in the libraries with fiction and non-fiction book suggestions for studentswho wish to further engage with the theme.

Partners

Honors Scholar Program:https://www.fsw.edu/honors Creative Capstone: https://www.fsw.edu/curc/creativecapstoneCenter for International Education:https://www.fsw.edu/internationaleducation FSW Library:https://researchguides.fsw.edu/home Career Connections Center:https://www.fsw.edu/careers Williams Academy: https://www.leecountyblackhistorysociety.org/our-history/ SWFL Turtle Project:https://www.researchgate.net/lab/The-Southwest-Florida-Turtle-Project-Jordan-Tyler-Donini

Newsletters

CURC Newsletter Spring 2025CURC Newsletter Fall 2024CURC Newsletter Spring 2024CURC Newsletter Fall 2023