I-983 Guidance

This section is completed by the student. Most of the school and program information can be found on the first page of your most recent I-20.

• SEVIS School Code of School Recommending STEM OPT: University of San Francisco’s SEVIS School Code is SFR214F00608000.
• DSO Name and Contact Information: any ISSS Advisor can be listed on I-983 Page 1 for Designated School Official. Visit the ISSS website for a list of advisors. Include the ISSS phone number: (415) 422-2654, email: isss@usfca.edu and USF Address: 2130 Fulton St, San Francisco, CA 94117
• STEM OPT Requested Period: the STEM OPT Start date is the day following the current post-completion OPT End Date. The STEM OPT End Date is 24 months after the start date.
• Qualifying Major and Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code: the STEM Major and code listed in the “Program of Study” section of your I-20
• Date Awarded: the date on your STEM degree diploma
• Based on Prior Degree?: unless you are applying for STEM OPT using a previous degree (a degree completed before the USF degree your current OPT is based on), you should check “No” for “Based on prior degree” 
• Employment Authorization Number: the 9-digit number on your EAD card i.e., USCIS #

Please read this section carefully before signing.

• Signature: The student signature can be an electronic signature produced with a software program or application, a scanned image of an ink signature, or ink signature. Do not type your name - that is not considered a signature.

This section must be completed and signed by the employer. Every field needs to be completed.

• Employer Name: the employer name should match the employer's name listed on E-Verify. The name listed here will be the employer name entered in SEVIS and listed on the I-20.
• Street Address, Suite, City, State, Zip Code: this should be the physical address that matches the employer’s address as listed on E-Verify.
• Employer ID Number (EIN): the Employer ID Number (EIN) is the employer’s nine digit Federal Tax ID number and should NOT be confused with the E-Verify company ID number.
• North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: A complete and valid NAICS code is 6 digits. 
• OPT Training Hours Per Week: in order to qualify for STEM OPT, students must work a minimum of 20 hours per week. 
• Start Date of Employment: the start date of your STEM OPT training with your employer. Even if you started working for this employer on OPT, the start date of employment for the I-983 Training Plan would be your STEM OPT start date
• Compensation: you must receive compensation for your STEM OPT employment.

Please ensure that your employer reads this section carefully and that your employer understands the responsibilities under which they are agreeing.

• Signature: the employer signature can be an electronic signature produced with a software program or application, a scanned image of an ink signature, or ink signature.

This section should be completed by the student and employer together. Training plan content should focus on how the training will benefit you and is related to your STEM degree. Make sure you answer each item in the training plan completely. It should be detailed and clear, not too short and brief with only 1-2 sentences. Additional questions should be directed to the employer on how to fill out the training plan.

• Site Address: employer Site address should be the physical location you are performing your work and will be recorded in SEVIS. If you are working remotely, you should list the address of your remote location.
• Student Role and the Training Program’s Direct Relationship to the Student’s Qualifying STEM Degree: describe what tasks and assignments you will carry out during STEM OPT and how these relate to the classes you have taken for your STEM degree. 
• Goals and Objectives: describe the specific skills, knowledge and techniques you will learn or apply; how you will achieve the goals set out for your training; and the training curriculum, including the timeline.

Please ensure that your employer reads this section carefully and that your employer understands the responsibilities under which they are agreeing.

• Signature: The signature can be an electronic signature produced with a software program or application, a scanned image of an ink signature, or ink signature

The self-evaluations on the last page are not needed when applying for STEM OPT. Students will need to write a self-evaluation to report the end of STEM employment and the 12- and 24-month STEM OPT Participation. Please refer to the STEM OPT Reporting section of the STEM OPT webpage for more details.