International Education Center Newsletter

SEVIS Requirements

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 (opens in new window) 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 (opens in new window) 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  (opens in new window) 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 (opens in new window)  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 (opens in new window) .

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 (opens in new window)  

Get to know your International Student Portal

Your International Student Portal (opens in new window) is where you will find important documents like your Admission Letter and I-20. This is also where you can make requests from the International Education Center. You can request Verification Letters, I-20 Travel Signatures, Transfer Out, and many other requests.

Is your I-20 Expiring?

If your I-20 is expiring at the end of Spring 2025 and you need an additional semester or more to finish, meet with an Academic Counselor and submit the Program Extension form in your International Student Portal.

Interested in Applying for a Spring Internship (CPT)?

Curricular practical training is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. Enrollment opens February 14^th and closes March 28, 2025 at 5:00 P.M. Watch the CPT Presentation Video (opens in new window) for more information.

Optional Practical Training for Spring graduates

Planning on applying for OPT work permission? Don't wait, apply early, beginning 90 days before the end of the semester! Find out how to apply by watching the OPT Presentation (opens in new window)

Tax Season

International students are legally required to file a tax return if you received US income during 2024 by the 15 April 2025 deadline.

And even if you didn’t work or receive income in the US, you’re still obliged to file a Form 8843 with the IRS.

ALL F-1 students who were in the U.S. for 30 days or more in 2024 must complete IRS tax form 8843 (opens in new window)  

If you worked in the U.S. in F-1 status in 2024, you must also complete IRS tax form 1040-NR (opens in new window)  

IEC cannot assist you with tax forms, as we are not tax professionals. However, there are 2 ways you can complete the required forms: 

1. If you will complete the forms yourself, attend the following webinar given by tax professionals. They will explain: 

• who needs to complete tax forms 
• how to complete each section of form 8843 and 1040-NR 
• where to submit tax forms 
• when to submit tax forms 

Join us for a virtual tax workshop Friday, March 7th at 11:00 am PST  (opens in new window) webinar to learn how to complete the forms. Please RSVP here (opens in new window)  for the workshop to reserve your spot. The Zoom link will be emailed to you one day before the webinar.  

1. If you want help completing the forms, you can use Sprintax.  They offer the webinars listed below: 

The Sprintax webinar will provide an overview of the core principles of U.S. nonresident tax for international students and scholars.   

• Thursday, February 6th @ 1pm EST – Register here (opens in new window)
• Tuesday, February 18th @ 12pm EST – Register here (opens in new window)
• Tuesday, March 4th @ 4pm EST – Register here (opens in new window)
• Wednesday, March 19th @ 2pm EST – Register here (opens in new window)
• Wednesday, March 26th @ 1pm EST – Register here (opens in new window)
• Thursday, April 3rd @ 3pm EST – Register here (opens in new window)
• Thursday, April 10th @ 12pm EST – Register here (opens in new window)
• Monday, April 14th @ 1pm EST – Register here (opens in new window)

NOTE: Santa Monica College has arranged discounted access to Sprintax Tax Preparation for you. Sprintax will guide you through the tax preparation process, arrange the necessary documents and check if you’re due a tax refund.

All you need to do is:

Register (opens in new window) and follow the simple instructions on the website

Complete the online questionnaire

Enter your unique discount code: 5SMC50F24 in the box on the ‘Review your order’ page (This code only works for the first 50 students to sign up!)

Sprintax will prepare your tax return

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 (opens in new window) 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 (opens in new window) !

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 (opens in new window)
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 (opens in new window)

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

For more information, please visit this webpage for useful links and guidance: Health Care Insurance (opens in new window)

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 (opens in new window) ONLY

Academic Vision Care!

Students enrolled in the medical plan are also eligible for Academic Vision Care (opens in new window) ! (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 (opens in new window) 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 (opens in new window) for instructions and images on how to shop for frames and upload the prescription.

Dental Coverage

Even though the GeoBlue insurance is a medical plan, it does have extra dental coverage attached to it. This dental coverage includes basic services, such as routine exams and teeth cleanings, up to $750 per plan year. You can search for an in-network dentist by using the search tools on the GeoBlue app or website: www.geobluestudents.com (opens in new window) . For more specialized dental treatments, please call GeoBlue customer service (844-268-2686) to verify coverage ahead of time.

Join a club

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

Follow the Associated Students Instagram page (opens in new window)  for the latest updates and information on club events, such as Club Row!