International Student and Scholar Services

All new international students must attend the mandatory International Student Orientation the week before the start of the semester. This orientation will cover issues pertaining specifically to international students such as regulations for F-1 status, culture, and academic life in the U.S. There is no fee to participate in this orientation. This orientation is for students only.

It is important that you confirm your acceptance as instructed in your NCCU acceptance letter from the Undergraduate Admission Office. Once you confirm your acceptance with Undergraduate Admissions, you will receive additional information instructing you to register for SOAR, the orientation program for all new first-year and transfer undergraduate students.

SOAR is held by the staff of the Office of New Student and Family Programs at NCCU. Please note that this orientation is entirely different from the OIA orientation and does not cover the same content. SOAR is designed for new students to meet with advisors to register for classes, take placement tests, obtain a student ID card, and learn about important campus services available to students. Note that there is a fee for this orientation. Visit their website at Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR).

If you are a graduate student, it is also important for you to confirm your acceptance as instructed in your NCCU acceptance letter. Once you have confirmed your acceptance, communication will be sent to you from the Graduate Studies Office about orientation for graduate students and how to register for classes. If you are a Law School student, please contact the Law School for more information.

New students who have not attended a U.S. educational institution before coming to NCCU must bring their I-20, passport, visa, printout or screen shot of their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, current local address and telephone number to OIA. Note: Your I-94 can only be retrieved after you have entered the U.S. (See below instructions for obtaining your I-94 record.)

Transfer students (students currently in F-1 status, coming to NCCU from another U.S. school, including high school or an English language school) must bring their I-20 from NCCU with their signature and current local address and telephone number to OIA. If you travelled out of the country prior to your arrival to campus, you would also need to provide a copy of your F-1 visa and passport if they have been renewed and a printout or screen shot of your I-94. (See instructions below for obtaining your I-94 record.)

New graduate students who have recently completed a degree at NCCU must also complete status verification procedures, as your old I-20 is no longer valid. Bring your new I-20 from NCCU with your signature and current local address and telephone number to the OIA. If you traveled out of the country prior to your arrival to campus, you would also need to provide a copy of your F-1 visa and passport if they have been renewed and a printout or screen shot of your I-94. (See instructions below for obtaining your I-94 record.)

Optional practical training (OPT), as defined by federal regulations, permits F-1 students to receive temporary employment to gain work experience directly related to their major field of study for up to 12 months per educational level. There are two types of OPT options: pre-completion (OPT taken during studies/before graduation) and post-completion (OPT taken after graduation).

Post-completion OPT falls into three subcategories: standard post-completion (OPT taken immediately after graduation), STEM OPT extension (24 additional months to work for students with degrees in science, technology, engineering and math and are listed on the DHS STEM degree program list). Also, there is H-1B cap-gap extension OPT (for students whose employer has filed an H-1B petition on their behalf). Please review the instruction guide below on these options.

Form I-983 (STEM OPT)

During OPT employment, F-1 students must update their contact information, address and employment information to the Office of International Affairs. Current students can accomplish this by utilizing the link below.

OPT Employment and Address Report Form

For students on STEM OPT, please use the 24-Month STEM OPT Validation Report and Evaluation Form.

Curricular practical training, or CPT, is defined as “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.” Students can participate in CPT required by the academic program, or if not, they must receive credit for the experience.

Not all degree programs include training or some type of work experience as a part of their curriculum, and therefore, not all students will be eligible for CPT. Optional practical training (OPT) might be a more suitable option for students who do not qualify for CPT. OPT allows students to gain work experience related to their degree but is not required for the major. Students must plan at least 2–3 months ahead for this work option, as it requires authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Curricular Practical Training Guide