A nine-digit number assigned by the Social Security Administration to approved F and M students that are eligible to apply for employment in the United States.
Glossary
Use the Study in the States glossary to define key terms throughout the F and M student process in the United States. If you are a current or prospective student, select “students” to see terms that specifically relate to you—from visas, to forms, benefits, and more. School officials should select “schools” to find more information on certification, responsibilities, and how to help their F and M students. You can also sort terms by selecting the letter of the alphabet a term begins with.
Social Security number
STEM 17-Month Extension
F-1 graduates with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees designated as eligible by DHS may be eligible to work in the United States for an additional 17 months beyond the original 12-month limit of a period of optional practical training (OPT).
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
A part of the National Security Investigations Division and acts as a bridge for government organizations that have an interest in information on nonimmigrants whose primary reason for coming to the United States is to be students.
On behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, SEVP manages schools, nonimmigrant students in the F and M visa classifications and their dependents.
Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified Schools
The only schools that are officially authorized to enroll F and M students.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
A designation the Secretary of Homeland Security may make about a foreign country "due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent safe return of the country's citizens; or where, in certain circumstances, the country is unable to handle the return of its citizens adequately." Benefits of TPS are temporary and vary, based on the designation. USCIS administers TPS.
Terminated
When an F or M student has failed to maintain their nonimmigrant status, the designated school official updates their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record to Terminated status and they must depart the country.
Transfer
The release of a student’s record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System from one SEVP-certified school to another.
Related terms: Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified Schools
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
An agency within the Department of Homeland Security that authorizes benefits for students and exchange visitors. Students can request benefits such as employment, extending their stay, or changing status from USCIS.
Related terms: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
A Department of Homeland Security agency that secures the borders of the United States, including airports, land borders and seaports. When entering the country, F and M students go through inspections with CBP officers and must present proper documentation.
U.S. Department of Education
A federal agency that establishes the legislation, policies and guidance for educational institutions in the United States, primarily colleges, universities and post-secondary institutions.