Post by Louis M. Farrell, Director of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program

More than one year ago, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano unveiled Study in the States as a part of her initiative to enhance our nation's economic, scientific and technological competitiveness by finding new, innovative ways to encourage the best and brightest international students to study and learn about expanded post-graduate opportunities in the United States. In her speech at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Secretary Napolitano wanted the Study in the States website to serve as a “central on-line information hub for DHS and its agency partners to provide current and prospective students with updated and relevant visa requirements in a streamlined, user-friendly format.”

Over the past year, Study in the States has continually grown to meet the needs of our main audiences: prospective and current international students and school officials. 

To help students navigate the detailed international student process, we launched the Study Guide to the States to more clearly explain immigration requirements and options.  The Study Guide walks users through each step in the process and directs you to different locations on the site for more detailed information. Another tool directed at students is the school search page. Because SEVP-certified schools are the only institutions authorized to accept international students, this is a useful tool for you to ensure the school you are interested in is ok to attend.  Our blog is a good source for information on current events or issues that may affect international students and school officials. Blogs and news items provide important updates on government topics.

Study in the States also has pages that are of interest to school officials. When SEVP is looking for stakeholder feedback on issues like the Accreditation Act or on contractual relationships and flight training, draft guidance is posted on Study in the States.  We are now asking the school officials to submit feedback on issues that affect them.

During the coming months, and years, we will continue to add features to make information more clear and easy to understand for all of our users and everyone involved in the international student process. To get quick updates on new features, important issues and interesting topics, be sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.