Overview
This article outlines the steps to create the Academic Objective in Terra Dotta ISSS. This record will contain all essential information for active SEVIS record.
Another way to complete these questionnaires is detailed in SEVIS Admin: Activities > Students > Add Student (F/M). This process will also create a Profile, so it may not fit every situation.
- Step 1: Create Academic Objective (F/M) Record
- Step 2: Find Existing Academic Objective Record
- Step 3: Complete or Review SEVIS-Required Data
- Step 4: Create SEVIS Update record
Step 1: Create Academic Objective (F/M) Record
Student-initiated
Students may initiate the Academic Objective (F/M) record.
Offices will need to create a student link for the Terra Dotta page, an external webpage, or even an email that the student can click to access a request.
Staff-initiated
Alternatively, admins may add an Academic Objective record to an existing profile. Go to Records > New Record. Enter the name of the student for whom you wish to create an Academic Objective. Select the Academic Objective program and term.
Step 2: Find Existing Academic Objective Record
- Go to Records > Search
- Enter the name of the student whose Academic Objective you would like to create and batch to SEVIS.
Step 3: Complete or Review SEVIS-Required Data
SEVIS-MAPPED PROFILE INFORMATION
New F/M records need values for the following data fields, located in their Terra Dotta Profile.
NOTE: SEVIS-mapped fields in the Terra Dotta profile may be integrated with your Student Information System (SIS). If the data in these fields is incorrect, it must be corrected in your SIS. The data will then be pulled into Terra Dotta from your SIS in the next regularly scheduled update.
PROFILE TAB
The following SEVIS-required biographical data is used to create an F/M record in SEVIS is in the individual's Terra Dotta Profile (Profile Tab), and includes:
- First Name
- Middle Name (Text entered in this field will automatically concatenate with the First Name field and sent to SEVIS as Given Name
- Last Name
- Email Address
- Date of Birth
- Gender
NOTE: If these fields are not integrated with your institution's system of record, you can edit them if you have administrative access to Maintenance > Edit User.
INFORMATION TAB
The following SEVIS-mapped data (required biographical and educational data) to create a SEVIS record is located in the Terra Dotta Profile (Information Tab), including:
- Suffix (Optional)
- Visa Type
- Major
- Second Major (if the student has no Second Major, select None)
- Minor (if the student has no Minor, select None)
- Education Level
- Country of Birth
- Country of Citizenship
- Campus Site
ADDRESS INFO TAB
The SEVIS-required Foreign Address information is in the Terra Dotta Profile ( Address Info Tab).
SEVIS-MAPPED PROGRAM START AND END DATES
New SEVIS records must be assigned a program start date and a program end date. These dates will be sent to SEVIS as the program start and end dates and will display on the Form I-20.
Enter these dates in the Start/End Dates tab of the Academic Objective (F/M) record.
If the record does not contain a start date and an end date, they must be entered before the record can be successfully batched.
To add or edit the program start and end dates:
- Click the Start/End Dates tab on their Academic Objective (F/M) record.
- If dates have not been entered, click the Add/Edit Date Record on the lower left of the Start/End Dates display.
- If dates have been entered, click the edit pencil
next to the date record that you wish to edit. Do not create multiple rows of start and end dates.
- Click the Update button.
SEVIS-MAPPED QUESTION ITEMS
You may configure your site to either:
- Allow students to complete SEVIS-mapped Question Items for their Academic Objective, Education Information, and Financial Information, OR
- Make the SEVIS-mapped Question Items invisible to students for the Academic Objective, Education Information, and Financial Information questionnaires. Only admins can complete these fields.
Depending on how your site is configured, admins should review, edit, or complete the required SEVIS-mapped Question Items:
ACADEMIC OBJECTIVE QUESTIONNAIRES
ACADEMIC OBJECTIVE INFORMATION QUESTIONNAIRE
A) Issue Reason - Select Initial or Change of Status
B) Remarks - Text entered here will display on the first page of the I-20.
C) Commuting from Canada or Mexico? - Select Yes or No.
EDUCATION INFORMATION (F/M) QUESTIONNAIRE
A) Remarks for Other Education Level - If Other education level is indicated in the Education Level field of the Terra Dotta Profile (Information Tab), provide additional remarks here
B) English Proficiency Required for Program? - Select Yes or No.
C) If Yes, does the student have the required English proficiency? - If you selected Yes for question (C), select Yes or No.
D) Reason English Proficiency Not Required for Program - If you selected No for question (C), enter the reason why English proficiency is not required.
E) Initial Session Start Date - Enter the Initial Session Start Date (ISSD).
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (F/M) QUESTIONNAIRE
A) Academic Term - Required field, select Academic Term length in months from the dropdown list.
B) Expenses: Tuition - Required field, numbers only; no commas.
C) Expenses: Living Expenses - Required field, numbers only; no commas.
D) Expenses: Dependent- If applicable, numbers only; no commas.
E) Expenses: Other Amount - If applicable, numbers only; no commas.
F) Expenses: Other Amount Remarks - If applicable, a text description of Other Amount (ex., Health Insurance)
G) Funding: Personal - Required field, numbers only; no commas.
H) Funding: School - If applicable, numbers only; no commas.
I) Funding: School Remarks - If applicable, a text description of Funding: School (ex., Scholarship)
J) Funding: Other - If applicable, numbers only; no commas.
K) Funding: Other Remarks - If applicable, a text description of Funding: Other Remarks (ex., Family)
L) Funding: On-Campus Employment - If applicable, numbers only; no commas.
Another way to complete these questionnaires is found in SEVIS Admin: Activities > Students > Add Student (F/M).
Step 4: Create SEVIS Update record
When all fields are complete, you will create a SEVIS Update Record. For instructions on how to do this, see the SEVIS Admin: Creating a SEVIS Update Record Knowledgebase article.