Under the new 24-month science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) optional practical training (OPT) extension regulations, the responsibility to report most information related to a student’s training rests primarily with the student and employer.

However, the student’s designated school official (DSO) at their school where they most recently enrolled  remains responsible for:

• Recommending the student for OPT in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• Maintaining the student’s record.
• Helping track the student’s information in SEVIS.
• Providing the government with timely access to reported information.

In order to recommend an F-1 student for the new 24-month STEM OPT extension, a DSO needs to verify that a student and their employers meet certain eligibility requirements prior to recommending a student for the extension in SEVIS.  This includes a DSO verifying that the student and their prospective employer have properly completed and certified the Form I-983, “Training Plan for STEM OPT Students.”

A DSO does not need to conduct additional outside research into a particular employer prior to making a STEM OPT recommendation, and is also not expected to possess technical knowledge of STEM fields of study. However, a DSO must check that the employer provided the required attestations and ensure that the completed Form I-983 reflects compliance with the relevant reporting, evaluation and other STEM OPT extension requirements.

For more information about the new STEM OPT extension, please visit the STEM OPT Hub, which has dedicated resources for school officials that explain:

• Recommending students for the STEM OPT extension.
• New reporting requirements.
• The Form I-983.

Additionally, school officials should mark their calendars for a special Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) webinar on April 14, 2016. The webinar will discuss the new STEM OPT extension and will be free and open to the public. Please encourage your interested F-1 students to attend as well.

Have questions that aren’t answered on the STEM OPT Hub? Contact the SEVP Response Center or ask us on social media using the hashtags #StudyintheStates and #STEMOPT.