International Students and Scholars Office

AT Application Process

Brandeis University sponsored students applying for J-1 Academic Training (AT) may follow the steps below for guidance on how to apply for AT.

If Brandeis University is not your Program Sponsor, you will need to contact your Program Sponsor directly for J-1 Academic Training guidance.

NOTE: Some program sponsors and/financial sponsors restrict, or do not allow Academic Training. Please be sure to check with your program and/or your financial sponsor.

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Step 1: Learn about AT

Step 2: Secure a Training Opportunity

Once you have been offered training that is related to your major field of study, you will need a completed Academic Training Form (pdf) or submit a signed letter on letterhead from your training Supervisor that contains the following information:

Company name
Position title
The physical address of the training location (street, city, state, and zip code)
Training start and end dates
Number of hours you will be in training per week
Name and address of your direct supervisor
List of responsibilities
Salary, or evidence of financial support available during your AT period. (Must equal a minimum of $3,381 per month, plus $800 per month per dependent for the duration of the training period)

Step 3: Submit the “AT Request” in Your ISSO portal

Submit your Pre-Completion AT Request in the ISSO Portal at least 5-7 business days before your training start date.
Submit your Post-Completion AT Request in the ISSO Portal at least 5-7 business days before your program end date.
Log in to the ISSO Portal with your Brandeis credentials.
Click on the Requests & Documents tab, then select the “Student Academic Training” Request.
Complete the AT Request, including the questionnaires, file uploads, electronic signature documents, and Academic Advisor Approval section. You will need to provide specific comments as to how the training opportunity relates to and will benefit your major field of study.
- Please review the instructions in the ISSO Portal carefully to select the appropriate Approver.
Click “Submit” (not “Save”) to submit the AT request.

An ISSO Advisor will confirm that you are eligible for AT and will then process your request within 5-7 business days. The details of your AT will be submitted to SEVIS and a new Form DS-2019 with the AT authorization and a J-1 training Authorization Letter will be issued.

Note: If the Post-Completion AT starts within 30 days of your program end date, you will be granted AT authorization from your training start date.

J-1 students may not begin their Academic Training until they have received an updated Form DS-2019 authorizing AT and a J-1 Academic Training Authorization Letter from their Program Sponsor. Engaging in training without authorization is a serious violation of your J-1 status and could result in the loss of benefits granted to J-1 students.

Helpful Resources

Academic Training Form