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Introduction
The instructions below are to help guide international students through the process of navigating to and submitting a New Degree Level request, which is used when an international student is changing to a new academic program or degree level.
Instructions
Navigation Instructions:
Upon login (https://stcloudstate-isss.terradotta.com), the landing page will display your personal information at the top, which remains the same throughout the portal. The lower portion of the page will change as you move between the three main sections:
Personal & Program
Includes general personal information, academic details, contact information, and dependent information (if applicable).
Control Center
Shows a summary of your requests—Ongoing requests, Completed requests, Documents, CPT summary, OPT summary, and Available Requests.
Important Updates
Announcements pertaining specifically to you.
Personal & Program
General personal information, Academic information, Contact information, Dependent information (if applicable), and Other information (if applicable).
Control Center
Summary of requests- Ongoing requests, Completed requests, Documents, Curricular Practical Training (CPT) summary, Optional Practical Training (OPT) summary, and Available requests.
New Degree Level Request Instructions:
This section guides you to begin the New Degree Level request.
• Click on “New Degree Level” from the list of available request options.
• This request is used when you are changing to a new academic program or degree level.
• Once selected, the form will open to the questionnaire section.
Section 2 – Starting the Questionnaire
This section collects the first set of details for your new degree change.
• Enter the term you expect to start your new program.
• Select your new academic program from the dropdown list.
• Make sure you select the correct program you are admitted to.
• Continue to the next required fields.
Section 3 – Selecting New Degree Level
This section asks what degree level you are changing to.
• Choose the new degree level such as Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral.
• Select the correct option based on your admission.
• Continue once all required fields are answered.
Section 4 – OPT Status Question
This section appears if you are currently on OPT.
• Select Yes or No for whether you are on Optional Practical Training (OPT).
• If you select Yes, an additional field will appear asking for your OPT end date.
• Enter the correct OPT end date before continuing.
Section 5 – I-20 Information Update Section Begins
This section collects the details needed for your updated I-20.
• Select the correct Education Level from the dropdown.
• Select your Primary Major from the list.
• If you have a Secondary Major or Minor, select it if applicable.
• Continue to the next required items.
Section 6 – Program Dates and English Proficiency
This section gathers information about program start and end dates.
• Enter your program start date and program end date exactly as given by your school or admission letter.
• Select whether English proficiency is required for your program.
• If English proficiency is not required, provide a reason in the text box.
• Continue to the next field.
Section 7 – English Proficiency Follow-Up Questions
This section appears only if English proficiency is required.
• If the school requires English proficiency, select Yes or No for whether the student has the required proficiency.
• Answer accurately based on your admission decision.
• Continue once the required field is completed.
Section 8 – Tuition and Living Expenses
This section collects financial information for your I-20 update.
• Enter your tuition amount and living expenses for the program.
• If you have additional costs, dependent expenses, or other remarks, enter them in the text boxes.
• Provide personal funding, school funding, or other funding amounts if applicable.
• Continue after filling all required items.
Section 9 – Additional Funding and Remarks
This section allows space for detailed financial information.
• Add remarks for school funding, other funding, or personal funding if required.
• If you have on-campus employment, list it in the provided field.
• Use the “Remarks” field to add any extra information the university may need.
• Continue to the upload section.
Section 10 – Uploading Proof of Funding
This section is for uploading financial documents.
• Upload your Proof of Funding as instructed.
• Upload your Financial Form or any required financial documentation.
• Make sure your documents are clear and combined properly if needed.
• Once all files are uploaded, click Submit or Save as Draft.
Section 11 – OPT Status Selection
This section asks whether you are currently on Optional Practical Training (OPT).
• Select Yes or No from the dropdown menu.
• If you select No, simply continue to the acknowledgement statement below.
• Make sure your answer matches your actual status before moving forward.
Section 12 – OPT Acknowledgement and Confirmation
This section appears only if you select Yes for being on OPT.
• Read the statement confirming that your Change of Level request will be processed after your OPT period officially ends.
• Enter your correct OPT end date in the date field provided.
• Check the acknowledgement box confirming that your I-20 and SEVIS record will be updated to reflect your new education level.
• Once completed, continue to the next step or submit the form.
It will take 5–7 business days to process your New Degree Level request. Please monitor your email address for messages from the processing team.
When submitting a New Degree Level request, after 7 business days, if you do not receive your updated I-20 after checking your SCSU email, feel free to email international@stcloudstate.edu to follow up on your request.
If you are submitting this request close to the start of your new program and you are within 3 business days of your program’s start date AND you do not have any email communication from CIS requesting more information AND you have not yet received your updated I-20, reach out to international@stcloudstate.edu to follow up on your request.