I am also our campus PDSO for SEVP. We’ve had similar inquiries here and admitted an individual for our late start term this fall, with out-of-state residency. Even though the student was not pursuing an F-1 visa, I did visit with our SEVP field rep regarding options, just as it was something new to us – we also don’t see many undocumented students, so our whole team learned some new things….
The “refugee” and “asylee” terminology is important. We’ve had a number of community members ask us “Can’t you help the Ukrainian refugees that are here? They want to study!” The term “refugee” was being used very generally, when in fact it is a very specific status granted by USCIS, and would be indicated on their I-94. As Brigitta mentioned, those individuals can apply for federal aid, which is what some of our kind-hearted community members were thinking. In the case of the specific folks we were dealing with, though, the individuals did NOT have refugee status – they entered the country on tourist visas when fleeing the country, had applied for Temporary Protected Status and Employment Authorizations, and were in the process of applying for a more permanent immigrant status – simply filing, though, does not grant the immigrant status that would result in the benefits Brigitta mentioned – and the process is a long one.
On a side note, though, if ever we doubt the impact of our institutions and the connections they allow students to make – these Ukrainians landed in Miles City, of all places, because the father had been an exchange student in tiny little Rosebud, MT, in high school and then continued under an F-1 visa to MCC in the mid-90s before returning home. He still has friends/connections in the area who are assisting the family now.
Erin
Erin Niedge
Dean of Enrollment Management and Educational Support Services
Miles Community College |2715 Dickinson | Miles City, MT 59301
niedgee@milescc.edu | 406.874.6211 | milescc.edu
From: MACRAO Listserv <MACRAO@LISTSERV.GFCMSU.EDU> On Behalf Of Lee, Brigitta
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 4:02 PM
To: MACRAO@LISTSERV.GFCMSU.EDU
Subject: Re: Ukrainian Refugee Tuition
As Maria said, eligibility for residency is tied to legal immigration status. Non-immigrants (students who are coming only to study and do not intend to reside long term or to work, e.g. F1, J1 visas) cannot seek residency or qualify for federal financial aid. Those with immigrant status (legal permanent residents/”green card” holders and those who have immigrant visas, e.g. refugees and asylees) are legally permitted to remain long-term in the U.S. They are approved to seek in-state residency, usually have the legal ability to work, and can apply for federal financial aid.
Best,
BRIGITTA LEE
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS, EVALUATIONS
Undergraduate Admissions
Gilkey Building | 32 Campus Drive | 406-243-2496
University of Montana
CONFIDENTIALITY: This email message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information covered under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message (including any attachments) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please destroy all copies of the original message (including attachments) and notify me immediately by reply email message or by telephone at (406) 243-2496. Thank you.
From: Mangold, Maria <Maria.Mangold@mso.umt.edu>
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 2:07 PM
To: MACRAO Listserv <MACRAO@LISTSERV.GFCMSU.EDU>; Lee, Brigitta <Brigitta.Lee@mso.umt.edu>; Campeau, Tony <tcampeau@montana.edu>
Subject: RE: Ukrainian Refugee Tuition
Yes, I agree with both @Lee, Brigitta and @Campeau, Tony.
I know enough to be dangerous regarding F-1 and J-1 visa regulations, but it’s been a while since I worked directly with international students. F-1 and J-1 visa statuses are inextricably linked to pursuing a course of study (read: time limitations apply; host institutions issue forms 1-20 and DS-2019) and are non-immigrant statuses, whereas refugee and asylee statuses are indefinite with a clear-cut path to pursuing U.S. permanent residency status. Asylees and refugees are both authorized to work in the U.S. F-1 ad J-1 visa types have highly regulated conditions under which they may work.
@Lee, Brigitta or someone else in international admissions – please fill in any gaps I may have missed.
Best regards,
Maria
MARIA MANGOLD, M.Ed. (she/her)
UNIVERSITY REGISTRAR
Office of the Registrar
Aber Hall 6th floor | 32 Campus Drive | 406-243-2412
University of Montana
From: MACRAO Listserv <MACRAO@LISTSERV.GFCMSU.EDU> On Behalf Of Campeau, Tony
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 1:09 PM
To: MACRAO@LISTSERV.GFCMSU.EDU
Subject: Re: Ukrainian Refugee Tuition
Hello,
Thanks for the question based on the language in this directive “Individuals in lawful permanent resident status, or in asylee or refugee status are also presumed to have the ability to obtain in-state status.” My understanding is that a person with documentable refugee status (or has evidence of filing for refugee status), COULD be eligible for in-state residency but would need to meet the other residency requirements as outlined in the policy and overcome the presumptions. However, simply being a refugee does not overcome the presumption.
It would be good if we are all on the same page with this. We have one student who applied this fall (who had been on exchange in HS). After consultation with legal counsel we determined he is not a resident for fee purposes but has not yet overcome the presumption that his reason for being in MT in educational.
Please chime in if others have different interpretation or experience.
Tony
From: MACRAO Listserv <MACRAO@LISTSERV.GFCMSU.EDU> On Behalf Of Amy Kanewischer
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2022 12:52 PM
To: MACRAO@LISTSERV.GFCMSU.EDU
Subject: Ukrainian Refugee Tuition
**External Sender**
Good afternoon!
Our campus could possibly have Ukrainian Refugees apply for our spring term and we had a question about what residency status they would receive for tuition. Any information, suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated!
Have a great afternoon!
| Amy Kanewischer | Registrar Flathead Valley Community College |
| |
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