Frequently Asked Questions: COVID-19 & SEVP
This page is being updated regularly. You are encouraged to check this site frequently for important up-to-date information. International Affairs Staff will continue to monitor the situation and answer all of your questions. If you have a question that is not answered in this FAQ, please contact an International Student Advisor.
Please Note: This FAQ contains information about current SEVP immigration policies for Fall 2020. It specifically addresses information regarding international students and their immigration status.
For general information about SUU’s COVID-19 plans, please visit the Return to Campus webpage.
Face-to-Face Courses
If possible, attending Fall 2020 in-person is the recommended option. This applies to you if you are already in the US or will return to Cedar City by September 29th. This option will not affect your scholarship. A remote learning option is also available for every in-person course, just in case you become ill or do not feel safe being in the classroom at any point.
Remote Participation
You may participate in your courses remotely. Remote participation is allowed for the entire semester or until you arrive at SUU. If you are a returning SUU student, this option will not affect your scholarship. If you are a first time SUU student, you must arrive in the US by September 29th in order to receive your scholarship.
Switch to Online Courses
With current travel restrictions and temporary suspension of visa services, we understand that you may not be able to come to campus this fall. If this applies to you, registering for online-only courses may be the best option. Online tuition is much less expensive, which still makes this an affordable option. Online-only international students are not eligible for scholarships, but your scholarship and SEVIS record will be deferred.
Defer One Semester
With current travel restrictions and temporary suspension of visa services, we understand that you may not be able to come to campus this fall. If this applies to you, deferring your enrollment for one semester may be the best option. If you choose to defer and have already registered for classes, your classes will be dropped and your tuition will be refunded. This option will also defer your scholarship and SEVIS record until Spring 2021.
If you switch to online courses, the entire class is offered online. If you choose to enroll in remote classes, you would attend class over Zoom while students are meeting face-to-face in Cedar City. Upon your arrival to SUU, you would switch to attending face-to-face if you feel comfortable doing so.
- Art
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Dance
- Engineering
- Music
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Theater
No, you will not lose your immigration status. Your immigration status will be protected whether you attend face-to-face, remotely, online-only, or defer for one semester.
If you choose to attend in-person or remotely, no changes are necessary to your visa and I-20. If you are not able to come to campus this fall--and choose to participate in online-only classes or defer for one semester--we will defer your immigration status. This means your I-20 will be moved to a future in-person start date. If your record is deferred, you will need to contact the International Affairs Office a month and half prior to your arrival to SUU so your record can be reactivated.
Maybe. If you plan to attend fall semester in-person or remotely, you will not need a new I-20. If you choose to attend 100% online or defer for one semester, an updated I-20 will be sent to you prior to your planned return to Cedar City.
Maybe. If you choose to participate in the face-to-face or remote options, you will still receive your scholarship. First-time SUU students must arrive by September 29th in order to receive their scholarship. If you choose to participate in online classes or defer for one semester, International Affairs will defer your scholarship until you return to SUU.
This is optional. At this point in time, the State of Utah is not requiring a 14 day self-quarantine upon arrival. You are encouraged to closely monitor your symptoms and self-quarantine if you begin to experience symptoms of COVID-19 or suspect that you have been exposed.
- Monitor your health daily.
- Frequently sanitize high-touch surfaces.
- Follow Utah and CDC public health guidelines.
- Accommodate high risk individuals.