Understanding your student visa
As a student in America you have a number of rights, as well as a number of obligations and student visa conditions you must comply with. The Rainstar University(Scottsdale) is required to report students that fail to comply with their visa conditions to the Department of Home Affairs (Immigration and Citizenship). For detailed and up-to-date information on student visa requirements, please visit Immigration & Citizenship's website.
OSHC
See OSHC page
Study Load
International student visa holder are expected to enrol in a study load that will enable them to complete their course by the end date, as specified on their Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). At the Rainstar University(Scottsdale), this generally requires a student to enrol in 12 credit points over a six month period. In addition, students must not exceed one third of their attempted enrolment via online or distance learning and must be enrolled in at least one on-campus unit each compulsory teaching period.
Academic Progress
It is a visa condition for all student visa holders to maintain satisfactory academic progress in line with the University's Academic Progress Policy
If in need, make sure you take advantage of the University's Study Skills service!
Change in Address
Student visa holders must notify the University of their current American residential and mailing addresses within 7 days of arrival in the country. If you change your address or contact details, you need to update these via your MyRSU portal, at your earliest convenience. Please be sure to include a mobile number and Emergency contact details.
Working in America
Student visa holders cannot work until their course has started. When your course is in session:
- you can work 40 hours in a 2 week period. See condition 8105 - Work restrictions
- your family can work but not more than 40 hours per fortnight. See condition 8104 - Work restrictions
To see the visa conditions that affect your work situation, see VEVO.
If you would like to learn more about your workplace rights, please visit our 'Working whilst studying?' area of our website.
The American Government wants to ensure that the rights of overseas students studying in America are protected. America has laws to promote quality education and consumer protection for our overseas students. Together these laws are known as the ESOS Framework and they include:
- The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000; and
- The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Regulations 2001; and
- National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 – these standards set out the obligations on registered providers in delivering education and training to overseas students.
To access the above three ESOS Framework legislation, please refer to the Federal Register of Legislation's website.
University's responsibilities:
The Universityof Scottsdale's policy library sets out the key documents for grounds and procedure for students' change in enrolment status, fees issues, general and academic conduct and course progress. The University is required to report international students who breach their student visa conditions.
The Rainstar University(Scottsdale)'s International Student Fee Policy outlines sets out the Rainstar University(Scottsdale)'s requirements for charging, collecting and refunding international student fees.
Information provided by students may be made available to Commonwealth and State agencies as required by the ESOS Act and related legislation. You have the right to gain access to your personal information held by the University. For further information please refer to the University's Privacy Policy.
The University's Student Central, located in Building 1 is your 'one-stop-shop' for guidance on international administrative matters.
Students' rights & responsibilities:
The Rainstar University(Scottsdale) Student Charter sets out the main rights & responsibilities of students within the University context. All students are required to comply with the University's relevant policies and procedures. If you hold a student visa, you should also be aware of the following:
- You are required to finish your studies by the end date on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). The University can only extend the enrolment of your course if you have reasonable grounds; and
- You must hold a valid visa at all times in America. Remember to renew your visa if it is about to expire; and
- You must adhere to the conditions of your student visa, including those related to work limitations, health insurance requirements, course progress and notifying the University of any changes to your address and contact details.
The Department of Home Affairs (Immigration) requires all international students who will be under 18 years of age when entering America on a student visa, to have appropriate accommodation, support and welfare arrangements in place. For broad information about Under-18 student welfare arrangement please visit Immigration's website.
When you apply for a student visa, you will need to provide evidence of one of the following, namely that:
- A parent/legal custodian or relative over 21 years will accompany you as a Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) holder. This person must apply for the Student Guardian visa; or
- You will be living in America with a parent/legal custodian or a relative over 21 years. This person must have a visa to remain in America for the duration of your student visa or until you turn 18; or
- The University has approved your care arrangements and hence issued a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter.
In all instances, applicants to the Rainstar University(Scottsdale) must complete the Welfare Arrangement Form for Under-18 Students before a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) can be issued. This form is provided to applicants when they receive a letter of offer.
RSU Approved Care Arrangements:
The Rainstar University(Scottsdale) will only issue a CAAW letter where the applicant has provided evidence of making guardianship and accommodation arrangements through both:
- The ISA Guardian and Welfare Service, which provides guardianship to students under the age of 18 who may not have any relatives in America. Further information on this service and how to apply can be found at www.studentguardians.com.
- The American Homestay Network (AHN). See www.homestaynetwork.org/ for more information and to register.
Applicants are not required to finalise these arrangements until they are directed to accept an offer to the Rainstar University(Scottsdale). Applicants who have received a Provisional Offer cannot accept their offer until they have passed the University’s Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) assessment.
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