On July 24, 2020 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) reissued fall guidance for visa-sponsored international students in a Broadcast Message for Fall Term and Clarifying Questions. Following swift litigation in federal district court in Boston, the updated SEVP guidance granted modified relief from the prior…, Continuing, students may obtain a visa, enter the U.S. and enroll in a “fully online” program for the fall semester, per March 2020 SEVP Broadcast Message and subsequent guidance which enabled schools and students to engage in distance learning in excess of regulatory limits for online participation due to COVID. Notably, “[t]he March 2020 guidance applies to nonimmigrant [e.g. visa-sponsored F-1 and F-2]…, New, students are prohibited from engaging in “fully online” studies. Instead, new students may obtain a visa, enter the U.S. and enroll in a hybrid program of study, defined as “a program of study that includes in-person and online components.” A hybrid model extends beyond the campus institutional modality and must pertain to the student’s individual program of study as incorporating an “in-person…, treat an international transfer student, as a continuing student as long as they were enrolled in another U.S. school on March 9, 2020 and have been otherwise complying with the terms of their nonimmigrant status, e.g. has “transfer status pending” in SEVIS with a UMass campus. Note: transfer students in regular and STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) should not be treated as continuing students since they were not “actively enrolled…
Type: Basic page
Health Insurance, Now is your opportunity to review your current health insurance plan and to change your health insurance plan if you wish. Please make sure to review your current plan to ensure that it will still fit you/your family's needs, even if you do not plan to make a change. Please keep in mind that once you choose a health plan, you, cannot, change plans during the year, unless you move out of the plan’s service area or you are retiring and are eligible for Medicare. If your doctor or hospital leaves your health plan network, you must find a new participating provider in your chosen plan. Visit the GIC State Employee Benefit Decision Guide to review your health insurance plan options. On the GIC Open Enrollment website you can also…, Health Insurance Buy-Out Program, During this year's Open Enrollment, if you are insured with GIC for health coverage from January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021 and you have access to a non-GIC employer-sponsored plan that meets minimal essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you may participate in the Buy-Out Program. The benefit is for 12 taxable monthly payments equal to 25% of the July 1, 2021 full-cost…, The Buy-Out Program Participation Form must be completed for you to apply for the program., The chart indicating the net refund for the Buy-Out benefit is available on the GIC website . The GIC must receive your Buy-Out form by Wednesday May 5, 2021. Any buy-out forms received after that date will be denied. You may access the GIC Buy-Out form by going to the GIC Open Enrollment website and clicking on "Enroll Online" to request the Buy-Out form. Be sure to submit any change forms to…, Life Insurance and LTD Updates, Effective July 1, 2021, MetLife will be the new vendor for the basic and optional life insurance and the LTD benefits through the GIC. With this change in vendor, premiums for these benefits will decrease. You may also apply for the reduced non-smoker status rate for your optional life insurance if you have been tobacco-free for at least 12 months (have not smoked cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe,…, Flexible Spending Accounts, Now is also the time to enroll in or re-enroll in the flexible spending accounts (health care spending account and/or dependent care assistance program)., Please remember that you must take action if you wish to participate in the flexible spending accounts in FY22., Current enrollees may re-enroll with Benefit Strategies online by going to the Current Enrollees Benefit Strategies Website. New enrollees may enroll with Benefits Strategies online by going to the New Enrollees Benefit Strategies Website . On this link you may also view the, FSA 101 Webinar, at your convenience. Online Enrollment Instructions Please be sure to complete your online enrollment by Wednesday, May 5, 2021., BJ’s Wholesale Club Membership Discount, During this open enrollment, we are also offering the discount on BJ’s membership. This offering will begin on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 and continue through Wednesday, April 21, 2021. The BJ's flyer and membership form are attached. If you wish to apply for membership or renew your current membership at the discounted rate, please complete the membership form attached and email or mail it to…, The, new members, only offer is:, $25/12 months for the basic membership (normally $55/12 months) $50/12 months for the rewards membership (normally $110/12 months), The, renewing members, offer is:, $40/13 months for the basic membership (normally $55/12 months) $80/13 months for the rewards membership (normally $110/12 months) Be sure to submit your membership form to Katie Temple by Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
Type: Basic page
