OPT E-mail to Students:

OPT Validation Project

Example of one-time data collection through email response :

Dear_______________, We are sending this letter to former Michigan State University students who are currently authorized to work on Optional Practical Training (OPT). The purpose of this letter is to comply with a new requirement from Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to validate data for those on OPT. The SEVP OPT data validation project requests that you provide SEVP with your employer's name and address. If you are currently unemployed, indicate this in your reply. There is currently no penalty for being unemployed and there is no penalty for failing to reply to this request.* Please provide the appropriate response based on your specific situation:   Employed by one employer: Provide your employer's name and address Multiple employers: List all employer's names and addresses, indicate which employer is your primary employer Self-employed: Indicate you are self-employed and give the business address (which can be the same as your personal address) Students with performing arts degrees** who have multiple short-term jobs (gigs): If self-employed, indicate this as "Self-employed performing arts student." Follow the directions below for sending your DSO a list of gigs on a regular basis. If working for an agency, indicate the agency as the employer and list the agency's address. Not currently employed: Indicate "none" for the employer*** Report this information electronically to OISS by contacting . Let me also remind you to continue to update your local mailing address either through any time you have a change of address. Thank you for your assistance.

* This letter was written before the new regulation was published April 8, 2008, which places a 90-day limit on unemployment. If a student accumulates more than 90 days of unemployment on or after April 8, 2008, s/he risks losing status and/or eligibility for future benefits.

** Note: in the OPT Validation Project FAQ, SEVP recognized that performing arts students are not the only students who might have "multiple short-term jobs." The category of "multiple short-term employers" may also be used by other students with similar employment.

*** Consult SEVP's OPT Policy Guidance for more information on what constitutes unemployment. For example, DHS also recognizes unpaid employment, e.g. internships or volunteering, as long as it is directly related to the field of study, and the unpaid nature does not violate labor laws. If a student is unable to find paid employment, encourage the student to find unpaid employment to avoid accruing more than 90 days of unemployment. DSOs may want to include "unpaid employment" as an option for students to select from.

Source: Michigan State University