Can I join a University while waiting for GC & EAD?

[ZackMoonyHam 3]

Hello everybody,

So I am stuck in the limbo. Can't work so I am really really bored at home. Thinking of joining some kind of University but looks like everywhere I go everybody needs either a EAD or GC. Thought to get a driver's licence but even those guys would make me one only until my K1 visa is valid.

Feels like theirs one roadblock after another.

Any ideas on what I can do about enrolling in a university while waiting?

I would like to hear some personal experinces of people on VJ.

Also its coming to me as quite a surprise that US is soooo credential oriented. Even to cut hair one needs to go to school. Forgien experinces seem to mean nothing here. Any line of work someone can suggest that doesn't require going back to school for years. Any apprenticeship progam?

Is it just FL or the entire US is laden with beurocracy?

[Pleasehurryup 1]

Hey,

Try looking at the Open University. I'm studying for my degree currently and although I started it in the UK they let me continue study in the USA. They are primarily UK based though so might not be possible..

Good luck!

[Transborderwife 4,666]

First off, obviously your drivers licence would expire when your I-94 does. Why would they make it easy for overstayers (regardless of how they came) to drive in the country?

Secondly, it's quite common to need a degree for most jobs these days. In fact many countries require a 2 year degree to be a hair stylist.

As for attending school, it's at the discretion of the school that you apply to. You may have to pay international student tuition and won't likely qualify for any federal aid.

Edited November 24, 2014 by Transborderwife

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the USA!! I daresay that there is likely bureaucracy in every country, the type may be different than you are familiar with.

We were able to enroll my stepson in the local community college prior to his receiving his GC or EAD, though at higher out-of-state tuition rate. Two years later he is now a transfer junior at the University of Washington. It seems that each institution may have differing enrollment policies, so you will have to do some research.

Can you obtain a public library card? I was able to get them for my wife and stepson shortly after their arrival.

Due recent AOS processing trends, your GC is likely some time in the future. Hopefully you will get your EAD/AP combo card soon, current processing times are running 60-90 days after submission.

Have you considered doing some volunteering, sometimes that can get you "in the door" for possible later employment possibilities.

Hang in there, it will get better.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

~Moved from Fam.-based AOS to Moving to the US and Your New Life in America Forum~

~Inquiry about that stage of the process~

[ZackMoonyHam 3]

Welcome to the USA!! I daresay that there is likely bureaucracy in every country, the type may be different than you are familiar with.

We were able to enroll my stepson in the local community college prior to his receiving his GC or EAD, though at higher out-of-state tuition rate. Two years later he is now a transfer junior at the University of Washington. It seems that each institution may have differing enrollment policies, so you will have to do some research.

Can you obtain a public library card? I was able to get them for my wife and stepson shortly after their arrival.

Due recent AOS processing trends, your GC is likely some time in the future. Hopefully you will get your EAD/AP combo card soon, current processing times are running 60-90 days after submission.

Have you considered doing some volunteering, sometimes that can get you "in the door" for possible later employment possibilities.

Hang in there, it will get better.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

~Moved from Fam.-based AOS to Moving to the US and Your New Life in America Forum~

~Inquiry about that stage of the process~

hi there,

thanks for your response. I don't know what your situation is at the moment but in the state of florida I am able to get in-state tution based on a K1 visa.

Here is the link:

http://www.fgcu.edu/Registrar/files/RequestChangeInResidencyForTuition.pdf

Have a great day!

[NikLR 13,232]

In state vs out of state tuition will not only vary by state but will also vary by institution. For instance in Colorado I was told by one institution that I had to have proof of living in Colorado for 1 year via driver's license (or state ID) and another item like a utility bill or vehicle registration. Without a green card I'd never get in-state tuition. With another, I was told that simply my husband being here for over 1 year was enough. It's important to talk to each university or college and find out what their rules are.