On May 31, 2022 “The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is reissuing its guidance for the 2022-23 academic year to clarify that the guidance only applies to nonimmigrant students who were actively enrolled at a U.S. school on March 9, 2020, and have continuously complied with the terms of their nonimmigrant status. Students who enrolled after March 9, 2020, must adhere to SEVP’s existing regulations regarding online learning, found at 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f)(6).”
This means that students who were here as of March 2020 can keep taking courses online as they have been doing. Anyone who arrived in the U.S. or acquired F-1 status after March 2020 will go back to the “normal” rule of one (1) online class per semester.

BHCC makes every effort to communicate the plans for Spring semester with the community. Please visit BHCC website (www.bhcc.edu ) and access this information online:

• Course Delivery Information: https://www.bhcc.edu/coursedelivery/
• College Reopening: https://www.bhcc.edu/coronavirus-info/collegereopening/
• Important Contacts and Hours: https://www.bhcc.edu/contact/
• FAQ: BHCC Response to Coronavirus: https://www.bhcc.edu/coronavirus-info/faqbhccresponsetocoronavirus/

We are open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and are also providing services to our international students remotely.

We are available by phone, via Webex and email or you can chat online with us as well. 

Chat online at https://lp-us-e.geckoform.com/bhcc/online_international_center.

Health insurance waivers must be completed online the same day you register. Direct link to waiver form:https://www.gallagherstudent.com/bhcc

1. Once at the BHCC/Gallagher homepage, click the "Student Waive" tab
2. Create a username and password
3. Click on the red “I Want to Waive” link

Questions? Contact Gallagher Student. Phone: 877-320-5277. You can also visit https://www.bhcc.edu/healthinsurance/ to learn more about health insurance.

BHCC has secured resources to support students in need. You can request assistance through the Mary L. Fifield Endowed Student Emergency Assistance Fund. Information about eligibility and contact information to BHCC staff member can be found here: https://www.bhcc.edu/emergencyassistancefund/

DISH Food Pantry is open for assistance as well. Check information here: https://www.bhcc.edu/dishfoodpantry/

Advising & LifeMap is available to help students with selecting spring courses.  You can speak to an advisor by emailing advising@bhcc.edu or by signing into MyBHCC (SelfService) to speak with an advisor via BHCC Chat.

By using the location filter in SelfService, students can select:

• Charlestown Campus to see classes being offered on the Charlestown Campus
• Chelsea Campus to see classes being offered on the Chelsea Campus
• BHCC Online Courses to see online courses
• Remote (campus location such as Charlestown Campus) to see courses that are remote.

NOTE: Students need to read the detailed course description of a remote course to know if it is synchronous (students need to be present virtually at the course meeting time) or asynchronous (students will not need to be present at a specific meeting time).

Yes, Students can change their major at any time. Please submit a Program Change form through your BHCC SelfService. Once your major is changed, your International Student Advisor will issue you a new I-20 with the new major printed on page 1. Change of majors are processed at the beginning of the semester.

Students who were here as of March 2020 can keep taking courses online as they have been doing. Anyone who arrived in the U.S. or acquired F-1 status after March 2020 will go back to the “normal” rule of one (1) online class per semester.

Under current conditions, if an Active F-1 student leaves the United States and is enrolled full-time making normal progress in their program of study, their SEVIS record can remain in Active status.

To maintain F-1 status students must enroll in a full course of study (12 credits) for the Spring semester. For questions regarding specific situations, please email your International Student Advisor.

Students may reside in the U.S. with a medical letter from a licensed doctor 8 C.F.R. 214.2(f)(6)(iii)(B). We have a handout that is very specific and the International Center will accept documentations only from doctors/providers in the Boston metropolitan area. The letter does not need to disclose your medical condition but must state what semester the doctor recommends that you take a medical leave and it must be signed by the doctor. Please contact your International Student Advisor for additional information.

If you have less than a full time course load to graduate (less than 12 credits) you are eligible for a reduced course load 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(iii)(C).  Submit the Last Semester Confirmation online and we will then validate that you only need those classes to graduate. You will then only need to take the classes required for graduation.

Yes, you may concurrently enroll at another school. We would need proof that you are enrolled at another school and the Concurrent Enrollment form that your International Student Advisor can email to you. These courses should count toward your degree program at BHCC and you are required to submit an official transcript to BHCC after the courses are completed. 

You may take the semester off with a medical leave or by departing the U.S. before the semester begins. Please contact your International Student Advisor to discuss your specific situation. 

If you are graduating in May 2023, we encourage you to attend one of the Work Authorization Virtual Workshops offered by the International Center during the Spring semester. The schedule of workshops will be shared in early February.

You may be eligible for Post-Completion OPT, after you have completed one academic year and graduate from your program of study. You may apply up to 90 days before the program end date and up to 60 days after the program end date listed on the I-20. The application must be properly filed within 30 days of the date the student’s DSO recommends OPT in SEVIS.

You may request the OPT form with further details from your International Student Advisor.

Students are eligible to work off campus after completing one academic year of study. Off campus opportunities include Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), Post-Completion OPT and Employment due to Severe Economic Hardship. Please contact your International Student Advisor to discuss which option you are eligible for. 

Yes, internships will be available for eligible students. Please send an email to your International Student Advisor to receive the eligibility requirements.

All the BHCC partners will be returning in the Spring semester. Most internships are going to be primarily remote, but some will be in person.  The Career Development & Internship Office will begin advertising the opportunities soon.  For the remote internships, The Career Development & Internship Office will be working with the internship sites, IT and the foundation to support students and make sure you have the resources needed.  

If you are looking to apply for an internship, you can contact the Internship Coordinator at internships@bhcc.edu.

Please also note you will complete required paperwork with the Career Development & Internship Office and the International Center to authorize the employment.

Yes, you can apply for a social security number if you have a job offer letter. Please contact your International Student Advisor for specific details on how to apply.

Yes, here are the steps to obtain a License/Mass ID:

1. Request signed letter from the International Center
2. Go to Social Security Office and apply for the SSN with your passport, I-94, and I-20
3. Receive the SSN or Denial Notice from the Social Security Office
4. Bring all the documents to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
5. Submit an application for MA License or Mass ID

Email a copy of your acceptance letter to your International Student Advisor at BHCC with BHCC’s Transfer Request Form and we will release your SEVIS record to your new school on the date specified by you. 

If you are currently in Active Status and have not graduated you must request to have your SEVIS record transferred to your new school before the new school’s term begins or by the first day of the semester.

We do not know how long the COVID travel restrictions will last and what additional countries may be added or removed from the restrictions already in place. If you are concerned that you may not be able to return to the U.S., you may want to reconsider your travel plans. If you decide to travel and have carefully researched your plans, be prepared, understand the risks, and be advised you might not be able to return to the U.S. before the semester starts on January 23, 2023.

Things to consider:

• Essential travel: Is your travel this essential, for example health or family related reasons?
• Risks: Are you comfortable with the travel risks, both health risks and reentry to the U.S. for Spring semester?
• Visas: Do you require a new F-1 visa? If yes, consider the U.S. consulate closures and visa delays.
• Travel restrictions: Are you traveling to a country with current travel restrictions? Be prepared for quarantines and limited flights or additional restrictions that may impact your return to the U.S.
• U.S. immigration rules: Exceptions were made to the online enrollment rules to keep SEVIS records active and I-20s valid for spring, summer, fall but we are waiting for further guidance about what they will allow for future semesters. If you are unable to return to the U.S., consider this a disruption to your immigration record and future benefits if the U.S. government does not allow the continuation of your SEVIS record. 
• Please view Massachusetts travel orders published online at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order.

Send your International Student Advisor an email requesting a travel signature. In your email to the advisor, indicate your specific travel dates and if your visa is still valid.  All travel signatures are processed electronically.  

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2021/11/read-new-policy-guidance-for-the-use-of-electronic-signatures-and-transmission-of-the-form

See all current Travel Advisories: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

Yes, if you are in your home country, the embassy or consulate is open and you have the required documents to apply for the visa you may schedule an appointment to apply for a visa.

Contact information for embassies and consulates worldwide is available at usembassy.gov

No, you can only apply for a US visa at a Consulate or Embassy in your home country or a third country. You cannot apply for a new visa in the United States.

Students with the Last Name starting with A – L
Maxime Mad-toingue
maxime.madtoingue@bhcc.edu 

Students with the Last Name starting with M – Z
Heather J Shapazian
hjshapaz@bhcc.edu