Important Documents and People
This page will describe several (but not all) the documents and people that are important for F-1 and J-1 students.
Before you could apply for your student visa, you received a Form I-20 or DS-2019. This document is vital to your lawful presence in the United States. You should protect and store this document securely. There may be times during your time in the U.S. when an update to your Form I-20 or DS-2019 is necessary. You should keep all copies that you receive during and after your time in the U.S. Common reasons for an update to your document are change of major, work authorization or reduced course load.
Every time you pass through a US Port of Entry, you interact with officers from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These officers create an electronic record of your legal entry to the US. They may also make a handwritten entry in your passport. You must go to the CBP website to access our I-94. You should do this every time you enter the US as it changes every time you enter. You will be required to have an I-94 to access benefits such as employment and driving.
Steps to Download your Form I-94
- Go to (or just google “I-94”.)
- Click “Get Most Recent I-94”
- Click “Acknowledge & Agree”
- Enter the information exactly as it appears on your VISA.
- Click “Next”.
- Click “Print” to print.
The I-94 should always show your correct visa status (e.g. F-1 or J-1) and the Admit Until date should always say "D/S", which means duration of status. This means you have permission to be in the US for as long as you maintain valid status.
School Officials and Responsible Officers
Every school that brings F-1 and J-1 students to the U.S. is required to have special staff members available to advise the students on their student visa status. For F-1 students, these staff members have the title Designated School Official (DSO) or Principal Designated School Official (PDSO). For J-1 exchange visitors, these staff members have the title Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).UNA officials
Cala Flippo, RO, DSO
Assistant Director, International Student Services & Success
E: cflippo@una.edu
P: +1 256 765 6735
Sarah Stevens, PDSO, ARO
Assistant Director, International Services & Compliance
E: sstevens2@una.edu
P: +1 256 765 4406
Callie Murchison, DSO
International Services Specialist
E: cmurchison@una.edu
P: +1 256 765 5217