Welcome!  Congratulations on having been awarded an OAS scholarship.  Below is some important information regarding your arrival at your host institution. If you have any questions, please contact your LASPAU program advisor.

Monthly Subsistence Payment: If your scholarship includes a monthly subsistence payment and you have already arrived at your host institution, you will receive a Bank of America debit card in a welcome packet. LASPAU will contact you by email to let you know the date your welcome packet will be sent. When you receive the card, please review the Debit Card Information and Instructions for Use. This page is password protected and there will be a memo attached to your debit card that will provide the password.

Confirmation of Presence Form: Have your international student advisor or the appropriate official sign the Confirmation of LASPAU Grantee Presence at Host Institution Form indicating your date of arrival at the university, and return the completed form to LASPAU within 15 days of your arrival. The purpose of the form is to confirm that you have arrived at your program so that LASPAU can continue to issue your funding. If you are studying in the United States, this form is also necessary to maintain your legal status in the United States. Click here to access a PDF version of this form.

J-1 Immigration Status: All OAS scholarship recipients studying in the United States must show proof of J-1 immigration status before they will receive funding. Please fax (or scan and email) the following information to your LASPAU program advisor:

• a photocopy of your stamped DS-2019
  
• a photocopy of your I-94 card (little white card stapled in your passport)
  
• a photocopy of the visa page in your passport

If you are in a status other than J-1, you must apply for a Change of Status immediately.

Registration: If your OAS scholarship includes tuition, fees, and/or insurance coverage, a Billing Authorization will be sent to your university outlining LASPAU's responsibility for payment. A copy of the Billing Authorization will also be included in your Welcome Packet. If you encounter any problems with registration at your university, present a copy of the Billing Authorization to the appropriate office to ensure that you are set up as a sponsored student. Also, please review the section on Registration in the Financial Terms section of this guide for helpful information explaining how sponsored billing differs from student billing.

Working On Campus:

• If you are studying in the United States and interested in working on campus or participating in a pre-completion academic training, please review the Employment section of the guide for information on how to request work authorization from LASPAU.
  
  
• If you are studying in any other country other than the United States and are interested in working on campus or participating in a pre-completion academic training, please contact your LASPAU program advisor to find out what steps to take next.

Change of Address: If you change addresses while studying in the United States, you must notify LASPAU of your new address. Please send this information to your LASPAU program advisor within 10 days of your move.