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.

Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor”

A form issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry to students who arrive without all of their required documents. The Form I-515A allows students to temporarily enter the United States, and they have 30 days to submit the missing information to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) before their status is terminated.

Beginning April 1, 2016, SEVP will send “Intent to Terminate” notices to students and exchange visitors and their dependents who have failed to comply with the Form I-515A directive by the specified deadline. Recipients of the “Intent to Terminate” notices will have 14 days, as of the date the letter is sent, to respond to the Form I-515A. Failure to comply will result in the termination of their SEVIS record. For more information, please download the Form I-515A Termination Procedure on ICE.gov.

Form I-797A, “Notice of Action”

A notice of approval or receipt of a submission that students may receive from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in various circumstances, like approval of the Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.”

Hand-carry

A best practice for students to keep all important documents, like their Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” or passport with them, instead of packing them in checked luggage.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

Science, technology, engineering, and math programs, which are important to innovation and job creation in the United States.

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.

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.

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.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

A federal agency whose missions include preventing terrorism and enhancing security, managing U.S. borders, administering immigration laws, securing cyberspace, and ensuring disaster resilience. Through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, DHS secures the student visa system.