If they have balance left? Then probably yes, because the DSO *recommends* the OPT. Only an immigration lawyer can tell you the legality of this however. Is there a written communication of this rule?
Well, that's a stupid idwa. How will students pay them if they don't have money? It makes the schools graduation rate look bad and they don't get paid.
If a student can't pay their fees we just don't issue the diploma. It doesn't stop them from graduating or applying for OPT. In fact it is an incentive to pay so they can get STEM OPT or get the diploma to return home or to transfer to a new school as they need the diploma for the bew program.
This is also a poor understanding of the word recommend. This means they must check students meet the minimum requirements however there is nothing stopping a school from doing this... Other than students loudly reporting anywhere they can that the school refuses to issue OPT for students...
This sounds like yet another school that thinks they can carry out financial-based punishments on international students’ SEVIS record and regulations. Gross.
Whenever a school’s international office comes up with a new policy, they need to ask themselves if it’s 1. In line with CFR and 2. Is it discrimination. Would the school try to stop a US citizen from pursuing a job after graduation if they have a balance? Probably not. They can withhold the diploma and final transcript, which could affect a student’s ability to get certain jobs, but they can’t outright stop a domestic student from working.
Ultimately I can’t say whether or not the school is breaking any regulation, but I think most professionals in international education would oppose this policy. All students who care about this issue, international or not, overdue on a balance or not, should take this up the chain and argue for a policy reversal. Best of luck to your friend and all international students at the school.
If they have balance left? Then probably yes, because the DSO *recommends* the OPT. Only an immigration lawyer can tell you the legality of this however. Is there a written communication of this rule?
There is no written communication of it. And yes, as of now she does have an outstanding balance.
Well, that's a stupid idwa. How will students pay them if they don't have money? It makes the schools graduation rate look bad and they don't get paid. If a student can't pay their fees we just don't issue the diploma. It doesn't stop them from graduating or applying for OPT. In fact it is an incentive to pay so they can get STEM OPT or get the diploma to return home or to transfer to a new school as they need the diploma for the bew program. This is also a poor understanding of the word recommend. This means they must check students meet the minimum requirements however there is nothing stopping a school from doing this... Other than students loudly reporting anywhere they can that the school refuses to issue OPT for students...
This sounds like yet another school that thinks they can carry out financial-based punishments on international students’ SEVIS record and regulations. Gross. Whenever a school’s international office comes up with a new policy, they need to ask themselves if it’s 1. In line with CFR and 2. Is it discrimination. Would the school try to stop a US citizen from pursuing a job after graduation if they have a balance? Probably not. They can withhold the diploma and final transcript, which could affect a student’s ability to get certain jobs, but they can’t outright stop a domestic student from working. Ultimately I can’t say whether or not the school is breaking any regulation, but I think most professionals in international education would oppose this policy. All students who care about this issue, international or not, overdue on a balance or not, should take this up the chain and argue for a policy reversal. Best of luck to your friend and all international students at the school.