International Students and Scholars Office

• Student Name: Enter your name in the last name, first name format
• Name of School Recommending STEM OPT: Brandeis University
• Name of School Where STEM Degree Was Earned: Brandeis University
• SEVIS School Code: BOS214F00063000
• DSO Name and Contact Information: 
  • Jodi Hanelt hanelt@brandeis.edu 7817363480 415 South St Waltham MA 02453

• SEVIS ID: The SEVIS ID can be found on the upper left corner of your Form I-20
• STEM OPT Requested Period: “From” date should be the day after your current 12-month OPT ends and the “to” date should be 2 years later. For example, 07/02/2021 - 07/01/2023.
• Qualifying Major and Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code: Please enter both your major and the CIP code. The 6-digit CIP code can be found on your Form I-20. 
• Level/Type of Qualifying Degree: Enter Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD
• Date Awarded: The date awarded is found on your Brandeis transcript or diploma.
• Based on Prior Degree: Select “No” if your STEM degree is your most recent degree.
• Employment Authorization Number: Enter the 9 digit USCIS number on your EAD 

Signatures

Students and employers may physically sign Form I-983 or input their own electronic signature. SEVP accepts electronic signatures in the following formats:

• Electronic signatures using software programs or applications. Students and employers may sign all signature fields on Form I-983 using electronic signatures produced with software programs or applications.
• Electronically reproduced copies of a signature. Students and employers may sign all signature fields on Form I-983 using digitally reproduced copies of a signature. A digitally reproduced copy may be a scanned image of a physical signature.

Detailed instructions for entering the employer’s information can be found on the USCIS I-983 instructions (pdf) for the employer. 

• Enter the employer’s information according to the company’s official records. 
• OPT Training Hours Per Week: In order to qualify for STEM OPT, the student must work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
• Start Date of Employment: Please use the first date of your STEM OPT, which should be the date after your current OPT end date (this is typically not your actual first day of employment.)

• This section must include the employer's title and wet or electronic signature.

• Student Name: Enter the student’s name (Surname/Primary Name, Given Name) exactly as it appears on the Form I‐20.
• Employer Name: Company name.

• Site Name:  May be the company name, or if you are working for a branch or subsidiary of the company provide the name of that worksite.
• Name of Official/Official's Title/Official's Email/Official's Phone Number: Provide your company Supervisor's information.

• This section must include the employer's title and wet or electronic signature.
• The individual who signs the Form I-983 Employer Certification may or may not be the same individual who signed the Employer Certification in Section 4. 
  • Example: An HR/management representative may sign section 4, but a supervisor may be more appropriate to sign this section which outlines the learning objectives for the student/employee.

• Please leave this page blank when submitting your application for the STEM OPT Extension.
• Complete the first section on Page 5 at the 12-month period of your STEM OPT and submit it to your ISSO portal.
• Complete the second section of Page 5 at the 24-month period of your STEM OPT and when you terminate your STEM OPT employment.