International Education Center Newsletter

SEVIS Requirements – Maintaining your F1 Visa Status

If this is your first semester in the U.S. at SMC, make sure you submit the check-in form within 10 days of arrival. If you have not done it yet, do it now by logging in to your International Student Portal and clicking the “Requests & Documents” tab.

To maintain your visa status and keep your SEVIS record active, it is important to enroll in at least 12 units and to follow the on-ground requirement. The on-ground requirement states that most classes (at least 9 units) should be on-ground/hybrid and only one 3-unit fully online class can count toward the 12 unit requirement.

The International Education Center (IEC) is required to have current information on F1 students. This includes address, phone number, and email address. If you have not provided the International Education Center with your current contact information, please update your information in your Corsair Connect student profile.  If you are unable to update your information in Corsair Connect, please contact the IEC for assistance.

Tap Card and Student ID

Visit the Cashier’s Office page to learn how to request your METRO GoPass (TAP Card) to be able to ride the public transportation. Your student benefits fee covers the cost to ride public transportation for the whole semester!

You can also request your Student ID Card through the Cashier’s Office.

Housing Tips

It’s always important to exercise caution when dealing with housing transactions. We strongly advise that you do not send any cash or make any payments before physically seeing the accommodation and verifying its legitimacy.

Scammers may attempt to take advantage of international students by requesting advance rent or security deposit payments without providing proper documentation or allowing you to visit the property. To avoid falling victim to such scams, follow these guidelines:

1. Visit the property: Schedule a time to visit the accommodation in person. Take a friend with you. This will allow you to inspect the premises, assess its condition, and ensure it matches the description provided.
2. Ask for documentation: Request copies of any necessary paperwork, such as a lease agreement or rental contract. Read and understand the terms and conditions before making any payments.
3. Research the Landlord/Owner: Conduct a background check on the landlord or property owner. Search for their name online, verify their contact information, and consider checking reviews or testimonials from previous tenants.
4. Proof of Ownership: Ask for proof of ownership or authorization to rent the property. This could be in the form of a property title, deed, or other legally binding documentation.
5. Use Secure Payment Methods: When making any payments, use secure methods such as bank transfers, checks, or online platforms.

We would suggest you start by taking a look at the SMC Housing Page.

Since Santa Monica is an upscale urban area, there are many housing options around SMC.  On the downside, apartment rentals tend to be a little more expensive in this immediate area. 

Less expensive rentals may be found in West Los Angeles, Palms, Mar Vista, Westwood and Culver City – all within an easy commute of Santa Monica College

Scholarships

You can get more information by visiting How to Apply for Scholarships 

Interested in Applying for a Fall Internship (CPT)?

Students who are interested in gaining work experience and course credit related to their major of study should review eligibility requirements for CPT work permission. The internship application deadline for the Fall 2024 semester is October 11. Check out the steps to apply!

Graduating at the end of Fall and want to apply for OPT?

Students graduating at the end of the fall semester can apply for OPT 90 days before the end of the semester, September 18. Contact an academic counselor to get started submitting the OPT STEP 1 request form. Instructions will then be sent to you about how to meet with an Immigration Specialist to complete the application for OPT. Deadline for fall graduates to apply for OPT is 60 days after the end of the semester (February 15) but we encourage you to apply early.

Options After OPT Attorney Workshop

An immigration attorney will be hosting a workshop on Options After OPT including work visas and green cards. Stay tuned for more information. You can download past year’s presentation.

Photo Contest!!!

Share your SMC photos with us for a chance to be awarded!

Winning photos will be awarded a paid internship project at the International Education Center!  Submit your photo in one or more of the categories listed below.  Photos must be appropriate for public display.  The IEC will determine what is appropriate for a college office.  Winners will be featured in SMC’s social media and marketing campaigns, and winning photos will be hung in the International Education Center. *New this contest*  All photos must be SMC related and/ or taken on an SMC campus.  Photos that are not related to SMC or on an SMC campus will not be considered.

Submit photos in one or more of the categories below:

Academics at SMC

That Ah-Hah Moment at SMC

Most Epic Selfie at SMC

Out and About on SMC Campuses

Best Photographer Skills at SMC

Corsair Pride

Discovering Santa Monica College Culture

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: November 15 

To enter your photos to the contest, submit a separate e-mail for each photo.

Send an e-mail to IntlEd@smc.edu

Subject Line: SMC Photo Contest

Attach ONE photo

(Submissions that include more than one photo will not be considered.)

In the body of the e-mail, include:

Your name

Your SMC ID#

The category for which you are submitting

A description of your photo.  Your description can be just a few words, or a longer description, up to 100 words.

⚠️You must only submit one photo/ category per email, and you can submit your photo to one or more of the categories listed above. *You can submit up to 3 photos per category maximum.

Winners will need to sign a release allowing Santa Monica College to use your photo, title, description and name in social media and marketing pieces, and must be in a minimum of 12 units the following fall/ spring semester to apply for their SSN and be eligible for the internship/ on campus work.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.

We can’t wait to see your photos!

Getting Your Insurance Card

Please look for your Welcome Email from GeoBlue.  This will have your Certificate number and a link to www.geobluestudents.com where you will be able to download your ID card.  The card is for your use only. Never lend this card to other students. Carry your ID card with you at all times! You will need your card when you visit a physician’s office, urgent care, hospital, or pharmacy.

AcademicLiveCare

Students enrolled in the medical plan are eligible for AcademicLiveCare!

This is a TeleHealth platform for virtual doctor visits 24/7 from your smartphone, computer, or other mobile device – all with $0 cost to you!

• Services include General Care, Urgent Care, Psychiatry, Therapy/Counseling, and Nutritional counseling

To use this service – follow these simple steps:

1. Log into: academiclivecare.com
2. Click “Get Connected”, and then visit “AcademicLiveCare”
3. Sign up using your school email address or Log in if you already have an account.
4. Complete your profile.
5. When prompted, enter Service Key ALC – this allows you to see the doctors/providers in California.
6. Once you schedule your appointment, right before you are connected to the provider you will enter your Coupon Code.  Enter the code and click apply to make the cost of your visit free.   To find your coupon code, please check your SMC email as the code is listed in the AcademicLiveCare welcome email.  Please be sure to check your spam filter, if you do not see this email. 

For a visual guide, download the AcademicLiveCare User Guide

If you have any questions about the new insurance plan or how to use AcademicLiveCare, please visit our website, mycare26.com/

For more information, please visit this webpage for useful links and guidance: Health Care Insurance

Health Insurance Plan Highlights

If you choose not to use AcademicLiveCare, which is a completely free service for you, your insurance policy will cover services-for-pay as follows:

$500,000 annual benefit maximum

$200 annual deductible

Copays:

$25 office visit copay

$25 copay for mental health counseling services

$50 urgent care center copay

$100 Emergency Room copay

Prescription drugs – ($3,000 max per year):

$10 copay for Generic

$25 copay for Brand

$50 copay for injectables

Other Details:

Coverage for annual cervical cytology screening and mammography screening

No coverage for routine annual physicals

Immunizations are covered at the SMC Student Health Center ONLY

We want to introduce a new benefit that is available - Academic Vision Care!

Students enrolled in the medical plan are also eligible for Academic Vision Care! (AVC)

This service allows you to get free eyeglasses once every 12 months with no out-of-pocket costs. There are over 500 frames to choose from and many are available with no charge or a selection of designer frames available for a small copay. Even if you don't require vision correction, you can use this service to order sunglasses!

Please Note: AVC is only for the eyeglasses and does NOT cover the eye exam. Please use your GeoBlue insurance plan to obtain the eye exam.  Then, you can upload the eye prescription into the AVC system.

How to get started: Please watch for a "Welcome Email" from XP Health. This will provide you with a link and instructions for setting up your account or follow these simple steps below:

1. Visit xphealth.co or download the XP Health app.
2. Click/tap “ACTIVATE YOUR BENEFIT” button.
3. Sign up using your school email address.
4. Verify email address to continue enrollment.
5. Once logged in, go to your account profile tab and click "START SCAN."
6. The scan will use your device's camera to get measurements of your facial dimensions.
7. After the scan, fill out the style preferences survey to finish your profile.
8. Now that your profile is done, you can shop for frames and upload your prescription from your eye doctor.

View the complete Academic Vision Care Guide for instructions and images on how to shop for frames and upload the prescription.

Join a club

A good way to get involved at SMC and get to know like-minded students, is to join a club that shares your interests! This is also a nice way to explore new interests.

Follow the Associated Students Instagram page for the latest updates and information on club events, such as Club Row!