Students at Manhattanville's International Student Orientation. Sunday, August 20, 2023.

Current International Students

Welcome, International Students! 

We are here to support you throughout your academic journey.

Connect with International Student Services for questions about visa renewal, traveling endorsement, employment opportunities and much more!

Contact Us

International Student Spotlights

Current International Students

It is mandatory for Manhattanville to report your attendance to the USCIS. All international students attending Manhattanville University must check-in with the International Student Advisor at the start of every semester/term/module/session. Your cooperation in this matter is very important and will prevent any future issues!

 

What you need to check in:

(You will also be given a welcome packet with documents needing your attention. Please be prepared to meet with your International Student Advisor for at least 30 minutes upon arrival)

 

Programs, Workshops, and Events

Dates to be announced!

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Workshops

The workshops are held via Teams. Teams meeting ID and passcode will be sent via email. Before you attend the CPT Workshop via Teams, please review the CPT section of this page.
Dates to be announced!

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshops

The workshops are held via Teams. Teams meeting ID and passcode will be sent via email. Before you attend the OPT Workshop via Teams, please review the OPT section of this page under Maintain Your Student Immigration Status.
Ongoing

Travel Authorization (Signature)

No registration is required for your travel signature. Please visit Brownson Hall, Room 131 to meet with Johnnie Pera, the International Student Academic Advisor to have your I-20 signed.

Maintaining your Immigration Status

 
To find all you need to know about maintaining your status as a full-time student in the U.S- Visit the Homeland Security - Study in the States website.
If you are planning to leave the country for a vacation, please see the International Student Advisor for a travel signature on your I-20. This applies to all F-1 and J-1 students! Don't wait until the last minute; plan ahead a few weeks. Without a valid signature, re-entry to the United States may be difficult and require time-consuming and expensive paperwork.

F-1 and J-1 visas can only be renewed outside of the U.S. If your passport expires whilst being an active student and currently in the United States, you are not required to renew your passport, as long as you do not plan on leaving the United States during the duration of your studies. A valid passport may be required for OPT, CPT, Social Security Number Issuance etc, please consult with the International Student Advisor for further clarification.

For up-to-date information from the U.S. government on visa renewal visit Travel.State.Gov

All international students, whether F-1 or J-1, will be issued a Manhattanville sponsored health insurance Plan through AETNA Student Health. This health plan meets minimum standards necessary F-1 and J-1 issuance.

International students with health insurance abroad may not use foreign insurance plans for coverage whilst studying at Manhattanville. International students are required by Manhattanville policy to have the insurance plan we offer.

To view current Insurance costs, please click here!

For more information on the Aetna Student Health Plan (SHIP), please visit www.aetnastudenthealth.com!

Educational Employment Options

First Year F-1 undergraduate students may work only on-campus. After your first year, you may be eligible for off-campus employment. Manhattanville uses Handshake to search for jobs & internships, make appointments with counselors, sign up for recruiting & networking events, register for workshops, and gain insights on industry & career trends. 

The International Student Advisor nor Manhattanville are allowed to give tax advice, which is why we have partnered with Sprintax who provides software to assist students with their tax compliance. There is a 24/7 helpline and a YouTube page full of helpful videos. Learn how to file your taxes on the Sprintax page!

OPT Requirements

  • F-1 students may be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) for full-time 12 months
  • OPT can be used before and/or after the end of the program and must be related to the student’s area of study
  • It is best for F-1 students to do OPT after they complete their programs
  • The application timeline for OPT is strictly regulated. Students can apply for OPT 90 days before program completion, and 60 days after program completion
  • Students do not need a job offer to apply for an OPT
  • At the start of your last semester before graduation, you are advised to consult with the OISS about your OPT because OPT is competitive and has a long application process

OPT Application Process

  1. Request the DSO to endorse the student’s I-20 and make a notation in the SEVIS 
  2. Within 30 days of endorsement, a student can file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization with USCIS
  3. Pay the application fee of $470 and supporting documentation (Paper or Premium Processing incur a higher fee)
  4. After the student submits the I-765 online, they receive an I-797C Notice of Action receipt
  5. USCIS will send the student an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) by mail in around 3-6 weeks
  6. Their Social Security Card will be delivered in the mail two weeks after receiving the EAD card
  7. Employment starts on the start date of your approved EAD card

For F-1 students studying Sciences, Technologies, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) programs, they are eligible for another 24 months of OPT.  Read more about STEM OPT Extension Overview.

OPT and Reporting 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires students to report all periods of employment and unemployment while authorized for OPT and changes of address. Updates must be reported within 10 days of the start of your OPT work authorization and within 10 days of any subsequent change. Create a SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) Portal. 

Center of Career Development (CCD) assists F-1/J-1 students in searching for internships and CPT/ OPT employment opportunities and provides training on Handshake. For internships, students should make an appointment by emailing careers@mville.edu

 

J-1 students are entitled to 18-month academic training. An employment letter is required to apply for academic training. Please visit the International Student Advisor to request additional information on this opportunity. 

You can drive in New York State with a valid driver's license from another state or country. You don’t need to apply for a New York State driver license unless you become a New York State resident. 

You are not required to have an International Driving Permit to drive in NYS, but the permit verifies, in several languages, that you have a valid foreign driver's license. This is helpful to police officers who can’t read the language on their foreign driver's license. Contact the authorities in your home country to get an International Driving Permit.

If you decide to get a NY State driver's license it will only be issued the length of your immigration documents.

Important links Drivers from Other Nation

Getting from JFK Airport to Manhattanville

(We DO NOT recommend arriving at Newark airport. Newark international airport is in New Jersey (West of New York State) and is more costly to seek transportation to Manhattanville's campus)

 

There are many ways to get from JFK airport to the campus, simply proceed to the ground transportation area. Some recommended methods to arrive on campus are by:

AIRPORT SHUTTLE ($100)
Travel Time: 1.5 - 2 hours

There are many services that offer shuttle rides to and from JFK to Manhattanville's surrounding area. Please find your preferred service and book it at least one week in advance. Confirm the time, date and location of drop off! In most cases, you will need to request a Taxi (Uber/Lyft) to get to campus grounds.


TRAIN ($21 - $47)
Travel Time: 2 - 3 hours
Train is the cheapest way to reach Manhattanville University but it takes a longer time and is more complicated with the train changes.

Use these apps for MTA Train Time to buy train tickets and check train schedules:

IOS: MTA Train App

Android: MTA Train App


TAXI ($150 - $210)
Travel Time: 1 - 2 hours
Taxi from JFK to Manhattanville University is the fastest way, but is more costly.

 

 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)/Internships for Credit

Please review the table below to determine CPT eligibility, process, and requirements.

Acronym Key

Eligibility Requirement

Required for Undergraduate Students Required for Graduate Students
Students must have completed at least a FT academic year (e.g. Fall and Spring term). YES YES (exclusions apply)
Must have completed a minimum of 30 credits YES NO
Must have declared major YES NO
Must have FT enrollment status. During the final term, students may complete an internship/CPT with a reduced course load (less than 12 credits for undergraduate and less than 9 credits for graduate).  YES YES
Transfer students must have completed a full-time academic year at their previous institution, at Manhattanville, or a combination of both. YES NO
Eligible upon FT enrollment status NO NO (exclusions apply)
     

 

Credit Approval Process

Required for Undergraduate Students Required for Graduate Students
Prior to submitting the Handshake Experience request for credit approval form, meet with the International Student Advisor to discuss CPT eligibility  YES YES
Ask your Academic Advisor to verify if the job is directly related to the major of course study YES YES
Submit the appropriate credit request approval form in Handshake Experiences by the published deadline. See Manhattanville’s CCD web page for guidance, resources and tips YES YES

Email Johnnie.Pera@mville.edu in International Student Services when submitting the Handshake Experiences form and provide a copy of the official offer letter from the employer

   
     

 

Rules

Required for Undergraduate Students Required for Graduate Students
Employment must relate directly to degree program/major YES YES
An internship must be an integral part of the degree program/major as a requirement or elective option for the program/major YES YES
All internships are considered CPT YES YES
All internships must be completed for 1, 2, or 3 credits YES YES
Internships must be completed prior to fulfillment of graduation requirements YES YES
20 hours or less (part-time) of internship work per week during academic terms. More than 20 hours are permissible during breaks YES YES
12 months of FT CPT employment (cumulative) disqualifies an F-1 student for OPT after graduation YES YES
All internships must be approved through CCD and International Studnet Services, prior to commencing work YES YES
Students may not work until International Student Services authorizes the CPT in the student's SEVIS record YES YES
Provided all eligibility and stipulations are followed, UG students may complete a maximum of 9 credits as 4497 Internship course credits YES NO
Provided all eligibility and stipulations are followed, GR students may complete a maximum of (to be confirmed by SAS) credits as 5597 Internship course credits toward the degree NO YES
If approved by CCD and the graduate program director, full time employed graduate students may develop a qualifying project or series of projects within their job to fulfill a 5597 course credit NO YES

   

Acronym Key

   

NO Not applicable to this program
CCD Center for Career Development
OPT Optional Practical Training
CPT Curricular Practical Training
PT Part-Time, 20 hours or less/week
FS Faculty Supervisor
SEVIS Student & Exchange Visitor Information System
FT Full-Time, 20+ hours/week
UG Undergraduate
GR  Graduate
USCIS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
WS Worksite Supervisor

   

 

Fees

Undergraduate Fall/Spring tuition covers up to 19 credits per term (21 credits for Castle Scholars and Performing Arts majors). Summer term Internships for Credit must be paid for per credit.

Graduate standard course fees apply. Students may register and pay once the credit request has been approved through Handshake and CCD instructs the student to register. 

Notes

4497/5597 internship courses are not classified as “online” courses. Their instructional method is “Individualized Study.” F-1 students are permitted to enroll only one online course per term according to USCIS regulations. Campus employment does not have to be filed with SEVIS.

Contacts

 

For questions about USCIS regulations, contact the International Student Advisor:

Johnnie Pera, International Student Academic Advisor, johnnie.pera@mville.edu, 914-323-1344

 

For questions about Internships for Credit, contact the Center for Career Development:

Cassie Robbins, Associate Director, cassie.robbins@mville.edu, 914-323-1466

Kristina Casubolo, Operations and Programs Assistant, kristina.casubolo@mville.edu, 914-323-3206

or 

Careers@mville.edu

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

Academic Success Services

Accessibility, Internships, Tutoring, Writing, Career

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) provides free Peer Tutoring sessions for undergraduate students. Through the ARC, students receive individual and group support in a variety of subjects at all levels of the curriculum.

The Center for Student Accessibility partners with students to empower them to take ownership of their college journey. The Center also strives to increase positive dialogue surrounding disabilities, promoting the "people first" approach and communicating the message that disability is an integral part of diversity.

The Andrew Bodenrader Center for Academic Writing and Composition has a mission is to provide Manhattanville students with support at any stage of the writing process. We strive to build the confidence of student writers through encouraging, collaborative one-to-one sessions with peer tutors, graduate Writing Center Fellows, and Academic Writing faculty. 

The Center for Career Development is committed to individualized career exploration counseling, self-assessment, skill development, and utilizing internship and job search strategies that empower students to take ownership in their personal and professional success.

Additional Academic Services

OneStop assists students with many financial aid, registrar, and student billing transactions.

The Valiant Advising Team supports students by providing information about academic policies and degree requirements, assists students in the course selection process, and offers students support and appropriate referrals to other campus resources.

The Library offers impressive collections and outstanding services to help all of our students succeed in the classroom and beyond.

The Registrar's Office has the responsibility to maintain timely and accurate records of the academic progress of all students while upholding the privacy and security of those records.

The Office of Instructional Technology is here to support students, faculty, and staff towards successful teaching and learning. Get tips about online courses, find support, and more.

The Office of the Provost provides valuable information and links to resources for faculty, and for staff who work for, or with the faculty in furthering our educational mission.

Contact Us

  • Johnnie Pera, International Student Academic Advisor

    Johnnie.Pera@mville.edu

    +1.914.323.1344

    Brownson Hall, Rm 131

    Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8 AM-4 PM