Form I-983 (1/16) Page 1 of 7
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
TRAINING PLAN FOR STEM OPT STUDENTS
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OMB CONTROL NO. 1653-0054
EXPIRATION DATE: 03/31/2019
SECTION 1: STUDENT INFORMATION (Completed by Student)
Student Name (Surname/Primary Name, Given Name):
Student Email Address:
Name of School Recommending
STEM OPT:
Name of School Where STEM
Degree Was Earned:
SEVIS School Code of School Recommending STEM OPT (including 3-digit
suffix):
Designated School Official (DSO) Name and Contact Information:
Student SEVIS ID No.:
STEM OPT Requested Period: (mm-dd-yyyy)
From: _______________ To: _______________
Qualifying Major and Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code: ________________________________________________
Level/Type of Qualifying Degree: _________________________________________________
Date Aw arded: (mm-dd-yyyy) ________________________________
Based on Prior Degree?Yes No
Employment Authorization Number: _______________________________
SECTION 2: STUDENT CERTIFICATION
I declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements and information made herein are true and correct to the best of my know ledge,
information and belief. I understand that the law provides severe penalties for knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a material fact, or using
any false document in the submission of this form.
I certify that:
1. I have review ed, understand, and will adhere to this Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (Plan);
2. I w ill notify the DSO at the earliest available opportunity if I believe that my employer is not providing me w ith appropriate training as delineated
on this Plan;
3. I understand that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may deny, revoke, or terminate the STEM OPT of students whom DHS
determines are not engaging in OPT in compliance w ith the law, including the STEM OPT of students w ho are not, or w hose employers are not,
complying w ith this Plan;
4. My practical training opportunity is directly related to the STEM degree that qualifies me for the STEM OPT extension; and
5. I w ill notify the DSO at the earliest available opportunity regarding any material changes to or deviations from this Plan, including but not limited
to, any change of Employer Identification Number resulting from a corporate restructuring, any nontrivial reduction in compensation from the
amount previously submitted on the Plan that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked, any significant decrease in hours per w eek that I engage
in a STEM training opportunity, and any decrease in hours below the 20-hours-per-week minimum required under this rule.
Signature of Student:
Printed Name of Student: Date: (mm-dd-yyyy) ______________
University of St. Thomas
Choose One
OISS
2115 Summit Avenue, Mail 5014
St. Paul, MN 55105
Form I-983 (1/16) Page 2 of 7
SECTION 3: EMPLOYER INFORMATION (Completed by Employer)
Employer Name:
Street Address:
Suite:
Employer Website URL:
City:
State:
ZIP Code:
Employer ID Number (EIN):
Number of Full-Time
Employees in U.S.
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code:
OPT Hours Per Week (must be at least 20
hours/week):
Compensation
A. Salary Amount and Frequency: ______________________________________
B. Other Compensation (Type and Estimated Amount or Value):
1. _______________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________________
Start Date of Employment:
(mm-dd-yyyy)_________________________
SECTION 4: EMPLOYER CERTIFICATION
I declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements and information made herein are true and correct to the best of my know ledge,
information and belief. I understand that the law provides severe penalties for knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a material fact, or using any
false document in the submission of this form.
I certify on behalf of the employer that this Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (Plan”) is approved and that:
1. I have review ed and understand this Plan, and I w ill ensure that the supervising Official follow s this Plan;
2. I w ill notify the DSO at the earliest available opportunity regarding any material changes to this Plan, including but not limited to, any change of
Employer Identification Number resulting from a corporate restructuring, any reduction in compensation from the amount previously submitted on the
Plan that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked, any significant decrease in hours per week that a student engages in a STEM training
opportunity, and any decrease in hours below the 20-hours-per-week minimum required under this rule;
3. Within five business days of the termination or departure of the student during the authorized period of OPT, I w ill report such termination or
departure to the DSO (Note: business days do not include federal holidays or w eekend days; and an employer shall consider a student to have
departed w hen the employer know s the student has left the practical training opportunity, or w hen the student has not reported for practical
training for a period of five consecutive business days without the consent of the employer); and
4. I w ill adhere to all applicable regulatory provisions that govern this program (see 8 CFR Part 214), which include, but are not limited to, the
following:
a. The students practical training opportunity is directly related to the STEM degree that qualifies the student for the STEM OPT extension,
and the position offered to the student achieves the objectives of his or her participation in this training program;
b. The student will receive on-site supervision and training, consistent w ith this Plan, by experienced and know ledgeable staff;
c. The employer has sufficient resources and personnel to provide the specified training program set forth in this Plan, and the employer is
prepared to implement that program, including at the location(s) identified in this Plan;
d. The student on a STEM OPT extension will not replace a full- or part-time, temporary or permanent U.S. w orker. The terms and conditions
of the STEM practical training opportunityincluding duties, hours, and compensationare commensurate with the terms and conditions
applicable to the employers similarly situated U.S. w orkers or, if the employer does not employ and has not recently employed more than
tw o similarly situated U.S. w orkers in the area of employment, the terms and conditions of other similarly situated U.S. w orkers in the area
of employment; and
e. The training conducted pursuant to this Plan complies w ith all applicable Federal and State requirements relating to employment.
Note: DHS may, at its discretion, conduct a site visit of the employer to ensure that program requirements are being met, including that the
employer possesses and maintains the ability and resources to provide structured and guided work-based learning experiences consistent
with this Plan.
Signature of Employer Official w ith Signatory Authority: ________________________________________________________________________
Printed Name and Title of Employer Official w ith Signatory Authority: _____________________________________________________________
Date: (mm-dd-yyyy) ______________ Printed Name of Employing Organization: _____________________________________________________
Form I-983 (1/16) Page 3 of 7
SECTION 5: TRAINING PLAN FOR STEM OPT STUDENTS (Completed by Student and Employer)
Student Name (Surname/Primary Name, Given Name):
Employer Name:
EMPLOYER SITE INFORMATION
Site Name:
Site Address (Street, City, State, ZIP):
Name of Official:
Official’s Title:
Official’s Email:
Official’s Phone Number:
Note: for the remaining fields in this section, employers who already have an internal/pre-existing training plan in place may fill in the details
based on that plan.
Student Role: Describe the student's role w ith the employer and how that role is directly related to enhancing the students knowledge obtained through
his or her qualifying STEM degree.
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Goals and Objectives: Describe how the assignment(s) with the employer w ill help the student achieve his or her specific objectives for work-based
learning related to his or her STEM degree. The description must both specify the student’s goals regarding specific know ledge, skills, or techniques
as w ell as the means by w hich they w ill be achieved.
Employer Oversight: Explain how the employer provides oversight and supervision of individuals filling positions such as that being filled by the named
F-1 student. If the employer has a training program or related policy in place that controls such oversight and supervision, please describe.
Measures and Assessments: Explain how the employer measures and confirms w hether individuals filling positions such as that being filled by the
named F-1 student are acquiring new know ledge and skills. If the employer has a training program or related policy in place that controls such
measures and assessments, please describe.
Additional Remarks (optional): Provide additional information pertinent to the Plan.
SECTION 6: EMPLOYER OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION
I declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements and information made herein are true and correct to the best of my know ledge,
information and belief. I understand that the law provides severe penalties for knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a material fact, or using
any false document in the submission of this form.
Employer Official with Signatory Authority - I certify that:
1. I have review ed, understand, and will follow this Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (Plan);
2. I w ill conduct the required periodic evaluations of the student;*
3. I w ill adhere to all applicable regulatory provisions that govern this program (see 8 CFR Part 214.2(f)(10)(ii)); and
4. I w ill notify the DSO regarding any material changes to or material deviations from this Plan at the earliest available opportunity, including if I
believe the student is not receiving appropriate training as delineated in this Plan.
Signature of Employer Official w ith Signatory Authority: ____________________________________________________________
Printed Name and Title of Employer Official with Signatory Authority: ____________________________ Date: (mm-dd-yyyy) __________________
PRIVACY ACT
STATEMEN T
Form I-983 (1/16) Page 5 of 7
AUTHORITIES: Section 101(a)(15)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F), Section 641 of the
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), Pub. L. 104-208, Div. C, 110 Stat. 3009-546 (codified at 8 U.S.C.
1372), Section 502 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002, Pub. L. 107-173, 116 Stat. 543 (codified at 8 U.S.C. 1762)
and Homeland Security Presidential Directive No. 2 (HSPD-2), authorize U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to collect the information
requested in this form.
PURPOSE: The information collection on this form is used to assist in the administration of the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension so
that Designated School Officials (DSO) can properly recommend the Student for and review and help coordinate his or her STEM optional practical
training opportunity.
ROUTINE USES: The information collected on this form may be shared with: the individuals w ho signed the Plan, relevant DSOs acting as liaisons
w ith the DHS, Federal, State, local, or foreign government entities for law enforcement purposes, Members of Congress in response to requests on
the Student’s behalf, or as otherw ise authorized pursuant to its published Privacy Act system of rec ords notice - Privacy Act of 1974: U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DHS/ICE-001 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) System of Records
(https://www.dhs.gov/system-records-notices-sorns).
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the information requested on this form may delay or prevent
participation in a STEM OPT opportunity.
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT
The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 7.5 hours per response, including time required for searching
existing data sources, gathering the necessary documentation, providing the information and/or documents required, and reviewing the final collection.
You do not have to supply this information unless this collection displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. If
you have comments on the accuracy of this burden estimate and/or recommendations for reducing it, send them to: U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement, Office of Policy, 500 12
th
Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20536
*See evaluation forms that follow for student’s first evaluation, to occur before the one year anniversary of the start date of the student’s STEM OPT
employment authorization, and final program evaluation.
Form I-983 (1/16) Page 6 of 7
EVALUATION ON STUDENT PROGRESS
Provide a self-evaluation of your performance, using the measures previously identified, in applying and acquiring new knowledge, skills, and
competencies identified in the Training Plan for STEM OPT Students. Discuss accomplishments, successful projects, overall contributions, etc.,
during this review period. Address whether there are any modifications to the objectives and goals for projects, or new areas for skill and
competency development.
Range of Evaluation Dates: (mm-dd-yyyy): From __________ To __________
Signature of Student: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Printed Name of Student: _____________________________________________________________ Date: (mm-dd-yyyy) ______________
Signature of Employer Official w ith Signatory
Authority:__________________________________________________________________________________
Printed Name of Employer Official with Signatory Authority: _______________________________________ Date: (mm-dd-yyyy) ______________
Form I-983 (1/16) Page 7 of 7
FINAL EVALUATION ON STUDENT PROGRESS
Provide a self-evaluation of your performance, using the measures previously identified, in applying and acquiring new know ledge, skills, and
competencies identified in the Training Plan for STEM OPT Students. Discuss accomplishments, successful projects, overall contributions, etc.,
during this review period. Address whether there are any modifications to the objectives and goals for projects, or new areas for skill and
competency development.
Range of Evaluation Dates: (mm-dd-yyyy) From __________ To __________
Signature of Student: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Printed Name of Student: _____________________________________________________________ Date: (mm-dd-yyyy) ______________
Signature of Employer Official w ith Signatory Authority:________________________________________________________________
Printed Name of Employer Official with Signatory Authority: ______________________________________ Date: (mm-dd-yyyy) ______________