I-983 Sample for Illinois State University Students
This page is designed to help you complete Form I-983. You may also find it helpful to review the I-983 Sample file. For full details on how to complete Form I-983, please refer to the Form I-983 Instructions and the Study in the States website.
Section 1: Student Information
Designated School Official (DSO) Name and Contact Information
Students should enter this exactly information for the DSO: ISSS Advisor; 309-438-1931; Campus Box 6120; InternationalStudents@ilstu.edu.
Do not enter a specific advisor's name.
STEM OPT Requested Period (mm-dd-yyyy)
From: Day after current EAD end date To: 24 months later.
Qualifying Major and Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code
Name of major and CIP code can be found on page 1 of your I-20 (listed as "major"). Example: Industrial Technology/Technician, 15.0612
Based on Prior Degree?
Most students will select "No", unless they are currently on OPT for a non-STEM degree and applying based upon a previously earned STEM degree.
Employment Authorization Number
USCIS # found on current EAD card. 123-456-789.
Section 2: Student Certification
Signature of Student
Signatures can be physical or electronic. If electronic, they must either be produced with software programs or applications (such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign) or be a digitally reproduced copy of a signature. Please see the acceptable signatures section for examples
Section 3: Employer Information
Employer Name
This should match the employer name listed on the student's I-765 and how the company's name appears in the E-Verify system.
Street Address
Employer's company address.
Employer Website URL
Enter "N/A" if employer has no website.
Employer ID Number (EIN)
Your employer and/or Human Resources department should tell you the EIN.
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code
Your company can find this information in their "My Company Profile" in the e-Verify system. Your employer and/or Human Resources department should tell you the NAICS code.
Start Date of Employment (mm-dd-yyyy)
This is the date the student will begin STEM OPT training (the day after the end date of the student's Post-Completion OPT EAD card) OR the actual start date with this employer, whichever is later.
Other Compensation (Type and Estimated Amount or Value):
Examples of other compensation include housing, transportation, etc.
Section 4: Employer Certification
The employer should retain a copy of the completed Form-I983, which contains the DSO contact information.
Signature of Employer Official with Signatory Authority
Original signature of an appropriate individual within the student's organization who is familiar with their goals and performance and who is an employee with signature authority for the employer.
Signatures can be physical or electronic. If electronic, they must either be produced with software programs or applications (such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign) or be a digitally reproduced copy of a signature. Please see the acceptable signatures section for examples
Section 5: Training Plan for STEM OPT Students
Under no circumstances is an F-1 student with OPT or a STEM extension qualified to train another F-1 student with a STEM extension.
Employer Name
Enter the employer's name as it appears in Section 3. NOTE: The employer who signs the Training Plan must be the same entity that employs the student and provides the practical training experience (per DHS Docket No. ICEB-2015-0002).
Employer Site Information
Site Name
Enter the work site name where the STEM training will take place. If the student is working at a branch/subsidiary or any other location, provide the name of this work site. For fully remote work, site name is the employer name.
Site Address (Street, City, State, ZIP)
This should be the address where the student physically works. If the student will work fully remotely, the site address should be the student's home/remote address where remote work will take place.
Official's Title
Please review the STEM OPT Employer Requirements and Responsibilities on the USCIS website. Per SEVP guidance, the official listed in Section 5 is the student's supervisor in SEVIS. The supervisor listed cannot be an employee of the employer's client/customer.
The remaining fields in Section 5 must be completed on the Form I-983 itself. It is not acceptable to enter "See attached". Note: As the STEM Training Plan has not yet begun at the time of application, this section should be written in future tense.
For full details on how to complete Section 5, refer to the Study in the States website.
Student Role
Responses that do not include the student's job title, a description of the student's role, the name of the student's STEM degree, and an explanation of the relationship between the student's role and their STEM degree will be rejected.
Goals and Objectives
Responses that do not include specific learning objectives/goals for the student AND a description of how these goals will be rejected.
Employer Oversight
Responses that do not include a description of how the employer will provide oversight and supervision will be rejected. If working fully remotely, this section must detail how the student will be supervised in a fully remote arrangement.
Measures and Assessments
Responses that do not include a description of how knowledge and skills are measured and assessed by employer (i.e. the performance evaluation process) will be rejected.
Additional Remarks (optional)
Use this section to report additional information about your work location if you are working remotely or in a hybrid arrangement. Please indicate whether you are fully remote. If you are hybrid, please provide a percentage of hybrid work (i.e. 40% for 2 days per week remote work, etc.)
Section 6: Employer Official Certification
Under no circumstances is an F-1 student with OPT or a STEM extension qualified to train another F-1 student with a STEM extension.
Signature of Employer Official with Signatory Authority
Signatures can be physical or electronic. If electronic, they must either be produced with software programs or applications (such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign) or be a digitally reproduced copy of a signature. Please see the acceptable signatures section for examples
Evaluation On Student Progress
Range of Evaluation Dates
This section is to be completed at the 12-month mark.
When completing this section, make sure to enter accurate dates in the "from" and "to" fields.
"From": the date you started working with the employer during your STEM extension period.
"To": 12 months after the start of your STEM extension, regardless of when you started with your current employer.
Refer to the STEM Extension 12-Month Evaluation on Progress section for further details
Final Evaluation On Student Progress
Range of Evaluation Dates
This section is to be completed at the 24-month mark OR upon ending employment with an employer on STEM.
When completing this section, make sure to enter accurate dates in the "from" and "to" fields.
"From": the date you started working with the employer during your STEM extension period.
"To": the end date of your STEM extension OR the date you stopped working for the employer.
Refer to the STEM Extension Final Evaluation on Progress section for further details
Signature Options
ACCEPTED: Electronic singature produced by a software program that digitally validates the signature
ACCEPTED: Physical "ink" signature or digitally reproduced copy of a physical signature
NOT ACCEPTED: Signature typed out using a scripted or cursive font
NOT ACCEPTED: Signature created using a computer mouse to draw the signature