ISSS Advising Services
ISSS looks forward to helping you achieve your goals at Illinois State! We are here to provide support and help you succeed, and we offer a variety of ways for you to get in touch with us and ask questions or voice your concerns.
General Questions
Have a general question and need help finding the answer? Try these resources!
Search Tool
Found in your ISSS Portal Control Center
Request Inquiry
Found in your ISSS Portal Control Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Read the most common questions international students have.
If you still have questions after utilizing the above resources, you can submit an International Student Help Ticket or give us a call during regular office hours:
International Student Help Ticket
currently enrolled students
Post-Completion Student Help Ticket
graduated students on OPT/STEM
(309) 438-1931
M-F 8am-4:30pm
Express Advising
ISSS offers virtual or in-person Express Advising for quick questions (10 minutes or less).
How to Join:
In Person: Come to the front desk on the second floor of Fell Hall and sign in at the kiosk.
Virtual/Remote:
Click here during virtual Express Advising to be added to the virtual queue.
Join express advising for quick questions about:
- Change of Level
- CPT
- OPT
- I-20 Extension
- ISSS Hold on Account
- On-Campus Employment
- SSN
- Reduced Course Load (RCL)
- STEM Extension
- Transfer Out
- Travel
- Visa Issues
Advising Appointments
Appointments are for more complex issues and are scheduled for 30 minutes.
Scheduled advising appointments are for topics such as:
- Change of Status to F-1
- Reinstatement
- Violation of Status
- Medical RCL or Withdrawal
- Personal Issues
- Dismissal/Suspension
To request an appointment, you must first login to the ISSS Portal and click on the Search Tool in your Control Center. After you submit your Search Tool questionnaire, a staff member will contact you within three business days to schedule your appointment.
ISSS Requests
All ISSS Requests can be found by logging into the ISSS Portal and clicking on your Control Center. If you have submitted a request, it will be processed in the order in which it was received. Please allow up to 10 business days for processing. You can view the current status of any pending request in your ISSS Portal. You will be contacted when your request has been processed or if more information is needed.
Have a question about an ISSS Request?
You can make a request by selecting the Request Inquiry option in your ISSS Portal Contol Center. Submit a Request Inquiry if:
- You aren't sure which request to submit.
- You have questions about how to fill out a request you have recently started.
- You need to update a request you have already submitted.
- You don't see the request you want in your Control Center.
- It has been more than 10 business days and your request has not been processed.
Emergencies
Have a true emergency?
- Call the ISSS main phone line: (309) 438-1931 (during regular business hours)
- Call the ISU Police: (309) 438-8631 (for emergencies outside of regular business hours). This number should only be used in an emergency situation at the border, in which the border officer needs to immediately contact a school official (DSO/ARO).