Diversity Visa Lottery 2011
Getting a Job
Financial Aid and Tuition Rates for International Students
Student Housing
How to Apply for the F-1 Visa/Status
How to Apply for a J-1 Visa

 Diversity Visa Lottery 2011

What is the Diversity Visa Lottery?
Every year, the U.S. Department of State runs the Diversity Visa Lottery Program, which grants 50,000 visas to people all around the world, as well as those currently residing in the United States. The recipients are chosen from a pool of eligible applicants through a lottery system. All 50,000 winners are issued a U.S. Green Card (permanent residency) authorizing them and their families to live and work in the United States.

Does applying for the DV lottery negatively affect my current status?
No, in the event you are not granted a green card, participating in the Visa Lottery will not change your current status. However, undocumented students, who live in the US without legal authorization, should not apply.

Where can I obtain an application?
The application should be filled out and submitted electronically at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/.

When does the registration period take place?
The DV-2011 Lottery usually begins on the first week of October.  For more information, please visit the following website, www.dvlottery.state.gov. 

What are the requirements for applying?
In order to qualify, your native country must be on the list of eligible countries. The list of countries is provided on www.dvlottery.state.gov. The Department of State requires that every applicant must have at least a high school education or its equivalent or, within the past five years, have two years of work experience in an occupation requiring at least two years training or experience.

Who is not eligible to apply?
For DV-2011, check the following website, www.dvlottery.state.gov for the list of eligible countries. 

What is the procedure of applying?
An application is considered complete once it is filled out and submitted electronically along with pictures of the applicant and his/her spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age.

Who can I include in my application?
An applicant may list his/her spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age. Also, a husband and wife may each submit one application if each meets the eligibility requirements. If either were selected, the other spouse would be entitled to derivative status automatically.

Do applications I have submitted for DV lottery in previous years affect my current eligibility somehow?
No, previously submitted application will not interfere with your current application.

What is the cost of applying?
There is no fee for applying. We encourage you to avoid private companies which offer to fill out your application for additional fees.

Where can I obtain additional information about the DV lottery?
If the above website does not address your concerns, feel free to contact the Office of International Students at Hunter College or www.dvlottery.state.gov.

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Getting a Job

Am I eligible to work in the U.S. with an F-1 or J-1 status?
Yes, once you matriculate as an F-1 or J-1 student in school, you may work up to 20 hours a week while school is in session and full-time during breaks.

What kind of job can I get?
All F-1 and J-1 students are eligible for an on-campus job (on all CUNY campuses); undergraduate students who spent more than two semesters in a U.S. school and declared a major, and all graduate students are eligible to obtain an off-campus job.

I decided I want to get an on-campus job, how do I do this?
In order to have an on-campus, or any other kind of job, you must have a social security number.  If you don’t already have a social security number, you should (1) Find a job; (2) Ask your employer to give you a letter which indicates his intents to hire you and specifies the type of position; (3) Bring the letter to the International Students Office and get a complimentary letter from an adviser; (4) Go to a Social Security Administrative Office with these two letters, an application form, valid passport, I-94 form, I-20 form, and your Hunter transcript. Once you were assigned a social security number, you may begin working.

Where can I find an on-campus job?
Consult an updated list of job openings available on www.cuny.edu under Jobs at CUNY. Feel free to stop by the Office of Career Development in room 805 HE for additional assistance.

I am qualified for an off-campus job, what’s the procedure?
Similarly to the on-campus job procedure, a student needs to find a job and apply for a social security number subsequently. The off-campus job has to be related to the student’s major field of study.

Are there any special restrictions for an off-campus job I should be aware of?
An F-1 student may hold an off-campus job for up to 11 months without any effect on his future employment permit after graduation, the Optional Practical Training (OPT). Any day in excess of these 11 months will be deducted from the OPT’s 12 month period; part-time job is permitted for up to 22 months without affecting the OPT eligibility.

Are there any special circumstances which would allow me to obtain an off-campus job that is not related to my major?
Under Severe Economic Hardship Employment Authorization, an F-1 or J-1 student is allowed to work off-campus in a position that is not related to his major. This authorization allows the student to hold that job for up to 12 months (part time while school is in session), without being deducted from the OPT’s 12 month period, even if the number of months the student has held a job exceeds 12 after adding the CPT accumulated hours.  Severe economic hardship can be granted only in the event of unprecedented financial difficulties (e.g. inordinate increase in school tuition, devaluation of the currency from the country of citizenship, sudden death of sponsor, natural disaster).

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Financial Aid and Tuition Rates for International Students

Am I eligible to apply for federal or state financial aid as an international student?
No, any type of federal financial aid, along with other sources of state financial assistance, is reserved for citizens and permanent residents. International students are not eligible to apply.

Are there any other sources of financial assistance an F-1 or J-1 student might be eligible for?
There are a very limited number of grants and scholarships available for F-1 and J-1 students, especially for undergraduate studies. However, we encourage you to log onto the International Students website at http://studentservices.hunter.cuny.edu/international.htm, stop by the International Student Office and review the International Student Scholarship Guide, or speak with one of our advisers (Fall 2009 hours: Mon. 10:00-12:30 and 4:00-5:00; Tue. 9:00-9:30 and 2:00-5:00; Wed. 9:00-9:30; Thurs. 9:00-1:00; Fri. 1:00-2:00). You should review the scholarships advertised in the weekly in The Hunter Gatherer.

So should I fill out a FASFA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid)?
Since international students cannot receive federal or state financial aid, it is not necessary to fill out a paper FASFA form. Yet, you may wish to fill out a paper FASFA (available in any NY public library) in order to determine your estimated family financial contribution; some private funding resources would like to know your estimated family contribution in order to determine your financial need and aid eligibility. In this case fill out a FASFA leaving your social security number blank and marking “c. No, I am not a citizen or eligible non-citizen.” The application will be rejected and returned to you, but will include your estimated family contribution, which could be used by private scholarship funds to determine your financial aid eligibility.

 

On what grounds can I get financial assistance?
Generally, scholarships and grants for international students are not based on financial need solely. Ethnic background, academic merit, and other significant achievements are all common factors contributing to financial aid eligibility. Please consult the requirements for the specific scholarship you are interested in to see if you are qualified.

Am I eligible for in-state tuition rates?
Non-resident tuition for state colleges is higher than in-state tuition. In New York, students who are not citizens or permanent residents are eligible for in-state tuition if they meet the following requirements;

• Have lived in New York Sate more than one year prior to the first day of school and are “lawfully present in the US.” To fulfill this requirement you need to have one of the authorized visas: A-1, A-2, A-3, E-1, E-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5, H-1, H-4, I, K, L, N, R, S, T, U, or V (please note that, F-1 and J-1 are not included). Alternatively, individuals who have been granted the status of refugee or parolee are also considered lawfully present in the US.
• Have attended for at least two years and graduated from an approved New York State high school and applied for CUNY within five years of receiving a high school diploma.

I meet these requirements and would like to be considered for in-state tuition rate. How do I do it?
You need to fill out an application and provide supplementary documentation which proves that you have lived in New York State more than a year prior to the first day of school (e.g. a valid NY driver’s license, lease agreement, etc.). Incoming freshmen should approach the Admissions Office and current students who changed their status to one of the above since they first matriculated should approach the Office of the Registrar to obtain the application form and the complete list of required documents.

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Student Housing

Am I guaranteed a room in Hunter Residence Hall upon getting accepted to Hunter?
No, Hunter College does not guarantee housing for incoming freshmen or any other students.  There are much less rooms than applicants, thus we encourage you to consider also other housing options.

Where is Hunter Residence Hall located, how many rooms are there, and of what type?
Hunter College Residence Hall is located on the college's Brookdale Campus at 425 East 25th Street (at 1st Avenue), NY, NY. The residence hall consists of 646 rooms, including 295 single rooms, 278 single courtyard rooms, 6 two bedroom share, 5 studio rooms, and 2 room suits. Undergraduate students can apply only for the single rooms.

What is the cost of a room over there?
The current fee range is $1,100 – $1,900 for single rooms per semester, depending on their location and length of the semester. Bigger rooms range $1,300 – $3,100 per semester. Additional fees include security and key deposits.

Based on what do you decide whether or not to offer a place to an applicant?
The process of reviewing the applications is based upon a number of factors. Applications are prioritized according to NY State residency, distance from the college, remaining financial need and date received. However, priority is also granted to returning residents and to participants of certain special academic programs at the college.

When should I apply for a room for the Fall 2009 Semester?
Please visit the website http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/reslife for more information

How long can I stay in the residence hall once I received a room?
The majority of students accepted to the Residence Hall are allowed to stay for two years unless they are participating in certain special programs. Other exceptions are seniors and second year graduate students who are given one year in the Residence Hall.

Are there any alternatives for Hunter Residence Hall?
Yes, Hunter students are eligible to apply for a room in City College Residence Hall. Many private residence halls throughout the city offer rooms in a wide range of prices. Other alternatives include renting an apartment with other Hunter students. You may consult the Hunter Residence Hall’s website or the One to World website at www.one-to-world.org.  [top]

How to Apply for the F-1 Visa/Status

What is the F-1 visa?
The F-1 visa is a student visa. It is issued by the American Embassy/Consulate to individuals who wish to come to the U.S. for the purpose of enrolling in American universities, language schools, high schools and other institutions of higher learning.

Where should I apply for the student visa?
You should apply for the student visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.  Sometimes, if you are already in the U.S. and you cannot go back to your home country, it may be possible to apply for the student visa in Canada or Mexico.  However, we strongly recommend that you to stop by the International Students Office beforehand. Furthermore, if you are in the U.S. on a different immigration status (e.g. tourist, business), you can change it to student status (F-1). But do note that your new F-1 status is only valid within the U.S.  In other words, if you leave the U.S., you must apply for an F-1 visa abroad in order to be able to re-enter the U.S. as a student.

What documents do I need in order to apply for the student visa?
In order to apply for the student visa (F-1), you must first be accepted to Hunter College and request the school’s I-20 form. After you receive the I-20 form, you will be required to pay a SEVIS fee at www.FMJfee.com. This SEVIS fee will be used to maintain your immigration file. The next step is to go to the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country with your I-20 form and fill out an F-1 Visa application.  Make sure that you also take with you the receipt for your online SEVIS payment, the Hunter College acceptance letter, your passport and financial documentation that shows sufficient income for your studies and living expenses in the U.S.

How long will it take the U.S. consulate to process my visa request?
In general, the length of time the U.S. consulate takes to process a request depends on the country and on the availability of visa interviews. We, therefore, encourage you to begin your part of the process as soon as you get your I-20 form from Hunter College. To schedule an interview log onto usembassy.state.gov.  

I plan to travel to the U.S. with my spouse and/ or children.  What status will they be given and how should they obtain it?
Your spouse and/or children will be given an F-2 visa.  In order to get the F-2, your family (dependents) must come with you to the U.S. consulate when you apply for your F-1 visa. They will be required to fill out a visa application and be able to prove their relationship to you with proper documentation. Your responsibility will be to show that you have sufficient funds to support them while they live with you in the U.S. ($6,000 for spouse; $3,000 for every child).

How do I get a social security number and work permits once I have a student visa?
In order to get a social security number F-1 students must first have permission to work legally in the U.S., receive a letter from an employer willing to hire them and a letter from the major department.  U.S. Immigration regulations allow F-1 students to work on-campus (in any of the colleges that are part of CUNY) as soon as they arrive in the US. They must meet certain requirements in order to obtain on-campus work-authorization from the International Student Office.  Please note that while on-campus jobs are available for both undergraduate and graduate students right from the moment of arrival, off-campus jobs are also available for graduate students in the form of Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Undergraduate students, however, may only hold such jobs nine months after their arrival and after declaring a major. For more information consult the Getting a Job-FAQ information above.

Where can I obtain additional information about the process of applying for a student visa?
For additional information about visas, log onto http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types1268.html or contact the State Department’s Visa Office. Always feel free to contact the International Students Office at Hunter College. Yet another option is to consult an education-abroad adviser at U.S. consulate in your country.

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How to Apply for a J-1 Visa

What is the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa?
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa is a visa that is issued to students who wish to come to the U.S. to participate in a short-term educational exchange program (one or two semesters).  The exchange program may be sponsored by the U.S. government, an educational institution abroad or the government of another participating country.  J-1 students must maintain a permanent residence abroad to which they intend to return upon completion of their studies in the U.S.

Where should I apply for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa?
You should apply for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa at the American consulate in your home country.

What documents do I need in order to apply for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa?
In order to be able to apply for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa, you must first be accepted by Hunter College and request the form DS-2019. After you receive the form DS-2019, you must pay a SEVIS fee at www.FMJfee.com.  The SEVIS fee will be used to maintain your immigration file.  The next step is to go to the U.S. consulate in your home country with your form DS-2019 and fill out a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa application.  Make sure that you also take with you the receipt for your online SEVIS payment, the Hunter College acceptance letter, your passport and financial documentation that shows sufficient income for your studies and living expenses in the U.S.  Additionally, you will be required to have a health insurance policy for the duration of your stay in the U.S. 

How long will it take the U.S. consulate to process my J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa request?
The length of time that the U.S. consulate in your country takes to process your J-1 visa request depends on the availability of visa interviews. To schedule an interview log onto usembassy.state.gov. We encourage you to begin the process as soon as you get your DS-2019 form from the International Students Office at Hunter College.

How do I get a social security number and a work permit upon receipt of a Student Exchange Visitor J-1 Status?
J-1 students receive a social security number upon arrival in the U.S. They are also allowed to work on-campus (see Getting a Job- FAQ page) as soon as they arrive in the US. However, no explicit work permit will accompany the visa itself. Off-campus work authorizations (Academic Training or Economic Hardship Employment) may be approved and will be issued to only J-1 students who intend to graduate from Hunter College.  These students may hold such employment for up to 18 months after their graduation from Hunter College.  For more information and answers to other questions about work authorization for J-1 students, please consult the Getting a Job- FAQ page at http://studentservices.hunter.cuny.edu/international/international_faq.htm.

I intend to arrive in the US with my spouse and/ or children, what status will they be given and how should they obtain it?
Your spouse and children will be given a J-2 Exchange Visitor Visa. In order to get the J-2, your family (dependents) must come with you to the consulate when you apply for your J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa.  They will be required to fill out a visa application and be able to prove their relationship to you with proper documentation.  Your responsibility will be to show that you have sufficient funds to support them while they live with you in the U.S.

Where can I obtain additional information about the process of applying for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa?
For additional information log onto http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html or contact the State Department's Visa Office.  Always  feel free to contact the International Students Office at Hunter.  Yet another option is to consult an education-abroad adviser at the US consulate in your home country.[top]