Editor鈥檚 Note: The ISSS Newsletter is distributed monthly. Between monthly newsletters, please follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram to learn more about programs, events, and updates.
Contents:
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ISSS Availability for the Fall 2024 Semester
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First International Coffee Hour: Wednesday, September 4!
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Save the Dates: Fall 2024 International Coffee Hours!
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Full Time Course Enrollment for Fall 2024 Semester
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Fall 2024 events with the Fleishman Center!
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Upcoming ISSS Programs
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Graduating in December? Attend an ISSS workshop and apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) early!
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International Health Insurance Team is Now Accepting Insurance Fee Waiver Requests
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Health Insurance Id Cards
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Download your I-94 Record
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Sign up for ELI Conversation Pairs!
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New Graduate Students: Submit Your Final Transcripts to the Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions
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1. ISSS Availability for the Fall 2024 Semester
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is excited to welcome all of our new and returning international students and scholars as we embark upon the Fall 2024 semester!
Advising Hours & Updates:
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services holds advising hours on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00am to 11:45am and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Please visit the ISSS website for updates.
Special Notice Regarding ISSS Unavailability:
The ISSS will be unavailable Monday, September 2 for the Labor Day Holiday. Please visit the ISSS website for additional updates regarding availability.
2. First International Coffee Hour: Wednesday, September 4!
Good company! Complimentary refreshments! Come relax at our first , 3:00-4:30pm on Wednesday, September 4, in the Old Champlain Atrium (Old Champlain, Room 133). September鈥檚 coffee hour sponsor will be the University Police Department. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the sponsor while mingling with both international and domestic students. There will be games, interactive activities, and complimentary coffee and snacks!
If you have any questions about International Coffee Hour, contact isss@binghamton.edu. All are welcome!
3. Save the Dates: Fall 2024 International Coffee Hours!
Save the date for the four Fall 2024 International Coffee Hour events! ISSS will be hosting these events with other campus offices that support our international community. Be sure to join us for an informal social program!
Please note: Due to the Fall 2024 academic calendar and breaks, we have shifted the coffee dates for this semester!
| Fall 2024 International Coffee Hours | |||
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Wednesday, September 4 3:00-4:30pm Old Champlain Atrium |
Wednesday, October 9 3:00-4:30pm Old Champlain Atrium |
Wednesday, November 6 3:00-4:30pm Old Champlain Atrium |
Wednesday, December 4 3:00-4:30pm Old Champlain Atrium |
If you have any questions about International Coffee Hour, contact isss@binghamton.edu. All are welcome!
4. Full Time Course Enrollment for Fall 2024 Semester
The add/drop deadline for the Fall 2024 semester is Tuesday, September 3. You must be enrolled in a full-time course load by the end of the add/drop deadline in order to maintain a valid immigration status. If you will not be enrolled full-time, you will need to submit a Request for Reduced Course Load form to the ISSS Office.
5. Fall 2024 events with the Fleishman Center!
Fall 2024 Science, Research, Engineering/Tech Job & Internship Fair
Thursday, September 5 | 11:00am - 3:00pm | Mandela Room/Old Union Hall
Save the date for the Fall Science, Research, Engineering/Tech Job and Internship
Fair! Explore job and internship opportunities in the fields of science, research,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Students of all majors and class years are
advised to attend the fair to grow their professional networks, get application advice,
explore industries and careers, and learn about opportunities that align with their
skills and interests. Visit for registration and more information.
JCPenney Suit-Up Event
Sunday, September 8 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | JCPenney (Oakdale Commons)
Students, faculty, staff and alumni can take an additional 30% off workwear at the JCPenney Suit-Up Event! Shop in store with us at the Oakdale Commons on Sunday, Sept 8 from 6鈥9 p.m. Visit for more information.
Fall 2024 International Student Career Success Week
Monday, September 9 鈥 Friday, September 13 | 12:00pm each day
Join ISSS and the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development from September 9-13 for career-related programs designed to help prepare students for the Fall Job & Internship Fair, as well as for their internship or job search. You can see the .
Fall 2024 Business Operations, Marketing, and Consulting Job & Internship Fair
Wednesday, September 11 | 11:00am - 3:00pm | Mandela Room/Old Union Hall
Students and alumni of all majors and class years can connect with employers looking to recruit for a wide variety of job and internship positions in various business industries. Students of all majors and class years are advised to attend the fair to grow their professional networks, get application advice, explore industries and careers, and learn about opportunities that align with their skills and interests. Visit for registration and more information.
6. Upcoming ISSS Programs
Monday, September 9 | 2:00pm | Old Champlain Atrium (Old Champlain, Room 133)
Join the offices of International Student and Scholar Services and other campus offices to learn about all the campus resources related to staying healthy! There will be snacks, games, activities, and lots of opportunities to ask questions!
Thursday, September 12 | 3:00pm | Multicultural Resource Center (LS-G500)
New international students are invited to join the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) and the Q Center (QC) for a casual meet and greet in the MRC (Library South Ground Floor, Rm 500). We will have arts and crafts, Human Bingo, and food! Meet new friends, learn more about the work of the MRC and QC, and meet our staff teams!
Monday, September 30 | 2:00PM | Recreation Turf Field
Do you love to play soccer? Would you like to enjoy some pizza with your friends?
Join the Office of International Student and Scholar Services and the University Police Department for a game of pick-up soccer! We are looking for individuals to play during the event! Spectators are also welcome to attend and cheer for the players!
The game will take place on Monday, September 30 at 2:00PM on the Recreation Turf Field near the main entrance to campus.
so we can order enough pizza and so we can reach out in case of inclement weather.
Monday, October 28 | 3:00pm | Old Champlain Atrium (Old Champlain, Room 133)
Join ISSS for a night of pumpkin decorating in celebration of the autumn season! We will provide the decorating supplies and small pumpkins. This event is first come, first serve which means that the first 25 people at the event are guaranteed a pumpkin to decorate. Everyone else is also welcome to attend and enjoy other pumpkin-related crafts! We hope you and your friends will join us!
Global Networking Group Fall Series
All new international students are welcome to attend any of the events listed below! Feel free to bring your friends too!
Thursday, September 26 | 7:00pm | Mountainview Fire Pit
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives (IEGI) are hosting a campfire event at the Mountainview fire pit. Students will make the traditional U.S. campfire dessert, s鈥檓ores, which is a roasted marshmallow on a graham cracker sandwich with chocolate. All students, faculty and staff are welcome to join in the fun! Please note that if there is inclement weather, we will send event updates via email to those who have registered on B-Engaged.
Friday, October 18 | 3:00pm | University Union Undergrounds
Are you interested in connecting with other globally minded students? Do you like bowling? Well then you're in luck! Come to this bowling event in the University Union, hosted as a part of the Global Networking Group (GNG) event series. You'll get to meet other students and have fun!
Pizza and drinks will be provided for participants!
Monday, November 18 | 2:00pm | University Union, Room 111
In celebration of International Education Week, come test your world trivia knowledge! All students are welcome to attend this event to compete. We will have a variety of international snacks to enjoy during the event! The team with the highest score will win prizes!
7. Graduating in December? Attend an ISSS workshop and apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) early!
If you plan to graduate in December 2024, you can apply for OPT authorization now. The ISSS Office strongly encourages all students graduating in December 2024 to apply for their OPT authorization early because USCIS is currently taking 3-4 months to process OPT applications. The earliest that ISSS can issue OPT I-20s for fall graduates is Monday, September 23.
Graduating Students: How to prepare your Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application
The workshop, How to Prepare Your Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application, is recommended for international students who are graduating in December 2024.
During this workshop participants will learn how to:
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- Prepare and complete all documents needed to apply to USCIS for OPT authorization
- Understand the two-step application process
- Learn how to pick an appropriate OPT start date
To better prepare for this workshop, review the ISSS OPT page prior to participation. As a courtesy to other participants, please arrive on time. Event dates, times, and location can be found below.
| Workshop: How to Prepare Your Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application | ||
| Date | Time | Location |
| 1:00pm 鈥 2:00pm | ||
| 3:00pm 鈥 4:00pm | ||
| 12:00pm 鈥 1:00pm | ||
If you have any questions about this workshop or registration, please email intlwork@binghamton.edu.
8. International Health Insurance Team is Now Accepting Insurance Fee Waiver Requests for Fall 2024
The International Health Insurance Team is now accepting requests from those who believe they meet the requirements for an international health insurance fee waiver. In order to qualify for a waiver of the fee you must:
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- Meet ALL of the requirements found here.
- Upload documents as instructed here.
- Your policy submission must indicate the services that are NOT paid for under the policy, found in the 鈥淓xclusions and Limitations鈥 section of the policy, plus the deductible charged to you.
RAs/TAs/GAs with health insurance (NYSHIP or Empire Blue) will no longer be automatically waived from the standard SUNY International student insurance policy, as was the case in previous semesters. Any student who wishes to file an application for a waiver from the standard international student health insurance plan will need to complete an international health insurance waiver e-form. You will be notified if your waiver is approved and your charges will be adjusted accordingly.
Please note that a submission does not guarantee approval. A full review of your policy must be conducted to ensure compliance. Approved waivers are valid for one semester only. Students must submit a health insurance waiver request every semester. The deadline for submission of a waiver request is October 15, 2024. No exceptions are granted.
9. Health Insurance Id Cards
Health insurance id cards are now available! To retrieve your new insurance id card, follow these instructions:
- Go to
- Click on Register Now
- Enter your first name, last name, date of birth
- Click on 鈥淪tudent ID/Civil ID/National ID (SACM)鈥
- Enter your B-Number
- Click continue and follow the instructions
- Once in your account you can click on 鈥淚D Card鈥 and either print it out or have one mailed to you.
If you are having trouble creating an account, please call United HealthCare Student Resources at 1-888-714-6544.
** Please note, if you have been enrolled in United HealthCare Health Insurance in previous semesters, AND created an account, you can just log in and click on "insurance id card".
10. Download your I-94 Record
If you are a continuing student who has returned to the US for this fall 2024 semester, remember to download and print your new I-94 record. Each time you exit and return to the U.S., you should download and keep your most current I-94 record for your own records. If you are unable to download your I-94 record, or if there is information on your I-94 record that is incorrect, come to advising hours to meet with an advisor.
11. Sign up for ELI Conversation Pairs!
Would you like to practice your English, learn more about American culture, and share your own culture and language with an American student? If so, please consider joining the English Conversation Pairs Program. In this program, a native English speaker is paired with an English language learner and asked to spend approximately one hour a week in conversation.
To fill out an application online, log in to and THEN click on to complete an application and register for the Welcome and Orientation meeting on Tuesday, September 17th from 4:45pm to 6:00pm.
If you have questions, please contact the English Conversation Pairs email at conpair@binghamton.edu.
12. New Graduate Students: Submit Your Final Transcripts to the Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions
All new enrolling graduate students must submit their official final transcript(s) no later than six weeks after the beginning of the semester in which you start graduate studies. The Office of Graduate Admissions requires copies of your official, final transcript(s) documenting your previous college and/or university coursework and degree conferral. If your transcript does not show that your degree has been conferred or awarded, you will also need to submit an official (attested) diploma. Unofficial documents will not be accepted. Transcripts can be submitted between 8:30am-3:30pm at the Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions, Old Champlain Floor 3R.
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