The Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) is a student-centered team that recognizes the vital place that international students and scholars hold at Bentley University. We are focused on empowering students and scholars to pursue academic, social, and professional success. CISS promotes inclusive excellence, belonging, intercultural competency, and connection within the Bentley community. We achieve our goals through the strategic areas of comprehensive advising, immigration compliance, advocacy, cultural exchange, and programming.
In addition to compliance responsibilities and advising, CISS also offers cross-cultural programming open to the campus community as well as opportunities for engagement for international students and scholars. These programs include: the WorldView program, International Education Week, the International Peer Mentor Program, and workshops and dialogue spaces. CISS also advises and collaborates with many student-run cultural organizations on campus, including the International Student Association (ISA).
Location: Student Center 310
Email: GA_CISS@bentley.edu
International Student Academic Requirements - Full Course of Study & Online Course Policy
International students attending Bentley University in F-1 visa status must follow specific regulatory requirements. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires F-1 students to maintain a full course of study (9 credits for graduate students), with the exception of a student's final semester or in the case of a pre-authorized reduced course load. Students must also maintain physical presence at Bentley University, and may only count one fully online/distance learning class towards their full course of study requirement [8 C.F.R. 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G)]. If a student is enrolled in multiple courses listed as "hybrid," they must attend all but one of their courses in person. Failure to comply with these regulations is a violation of a student's F-1 visa status. You can learn more about these and other F-1 regulatory requirements on the CISS website.