Affected by Coronavirus: what all international students and aspirants should know

Coronavirus has left many study abroad aspirants in dilemma. This global pandemic has affected the study abroad students the most. Various colleges and universities around the world are canceling regular classes and asking students to leave campus. It is just a precaution to spread the virus further. You can learn everything about how Coronavirus affecting Study Abroad Students here. Universities like Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have asked students to vacate campus for the rest of the semester. Also, various universities The Ohio State University, the University of Washington and Princeton University have started giving online classes for a few weeks and suspended regular campus classes. International students and their parents are most worried at this time. They have serious concerns regarding their ongoing studies and what the future holds for them. In this article, we will address all the questions which might be concerning prospective international students, international students, and their parents.

Coronavirus/Covid-19 affect: TOEFL Exam Alert 

ETS, the conducting body for the TOEFL exam has launched the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition from April 2, 2020. Worldwide, candidates will be able to take the exam from home except in mainland China and Iran. Currently registration is open for dates from June 2020. However, candidates need to make sure that they meet the equipment requirements set by the ETS for registration. The at-home testing solutions are similar to the one taken at the test center. Candidates will be able to view Reading and Listening scores at the end of the test.

ETS has postponed testing in India till April 11th-2020. ETS has also temporarily waived off rescheduling fees for all the test takers due to the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus/Covid-19 affect: GRE Exam Alert 

ETS, the conducting body for the GRE exam has launched the GRE General Test Special Home Edition from April 2, 2020. Worldwide, candidates will be able to take the exam from home except in mainland China and Iran. Currently registration is open for dates from June 2020. However, candidates need to make sure that they meet the equipment requirements set by the ETS for registration. The at-home testing solutions are similar to the one taken at the test center. Candidates will be able to preview, skip questions, review and changes answers while giving the test at home.

ETS has postponed testing in India till April 11th-2020. In addition to this, the April 4 GRE Subject Test administration has also been canceled worldwide. Candidates registered for this date will receive an email alert from the ETS. Also, candidates need not do anything right now. Subject Test administration dates for the 2020–21 testing year will be published by ETS in April 2020 and registration will open from July 1, 2020. ETS has also temporarily waived off rescheduling fees for all the test takers due to the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus/Covid-19 affect: GMAT Exam Alert

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GMAC has to suspend test-center based GMAT exam for candidates, as worldwide various countries have put restrictions on the movement of citizens. On April-15^th-2020, GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council), administrator of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) announced the release of the GMAT Online exam. Know all about the GMAT Online Exam from registration to test dates to score reporting to retesting here.

Coronavirus/Covid-19 affect: PTE Exam Alert

In order to control the Coronavirus outbreak, Pearson, conducting body for the PTE exam has suspended testing in various locations globally and restricted the number of test-takers in each session in various locations to ensure the safety of test-takers, test center administrators. In India, the testing facility has been reduced in different locations as there are restrictions on movement in various cities. Candidates are advised to contact their respective test centers to know the status of their exam before going for the test.

Coronavirus/Covid-19 affect: IELTS Exam Alert

Currently, the IELTS administrators have suspended testing in Kottayam, Kerala, India. They have also advised test-takers not to attend an IELTS test if they have been in contact with anybody who has been exposed to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) or even if someone has a cough, fever or are showing signs of being short of breath. Test takers are advised to contact their IELTS administrators to discuss options for transferring the test to a later date or for refunds.

Coronavirus/Covid-19 affect: SAT Exam Alert

College Board has canceled the May SAT exams because of the Coronavirus outbreak. Makeup exams for March 14th-2020 which were scheduled for March 28th-2020 have also been canceled. Students who had previously registered for the SAT Exam will receive refunds from the College Board. The College Board will provide future SAT testing opportunities as soon as it is feasible to arrange for the exams. Also, it has not canceled the exam scheduled for June 6th-2020. In the coming days, the College Board will share additional information and details regarding the SAT administration.

Note: We will update this page as we receive more information about the major study abroad exams.

Updates related to universities

United States

Due to COVID-19, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement department has permitted US Universities to electronically send Forms I-20 to students on their email addresses listed on SEVIS. For minor students, the email address may belong to their parent or a legal guardian. 

Considering the Coronavirus pandemic, SEVP has lifted the restriction on mailing physical Form I-20s and is allowing schools to email I-20s directly to the students temporarily. The emailed Form I-20 will now be considered official for the purpose of applying for the visa by the US embassy. It also means, currently, students need not pay shipping fees until further notice.

Canada

United Kingdom

Ireland

Australia

Will students be refunded for the expenses?

As various universities have asked students to move out of the hostels for the rest of the semester, however, students have already deposited fees for this semester. Some schools are adjusting the fee for the remaining year. Like room and board costs at Harvard will be pro-rated for the remaining year for the students leaving their campus and vacating the house. It will also reimburse those students who are receiving financial aid for their travel costs. Also, some schools have not decided about the refund process and about the fee adjustment, so, for students of those schools, it is best to wait and watch till they receive any communication from their university.

What students who are still on campus should do?

Many international students have nowhere to go as their universities have asked them to vacate the campus. In this case, students from countries that have put restrictions on travel (where the outbreak is worse) are suffering the most. Some colleges are still offering rooms to students who have no place to go. Also, various schools are offering dining facilities to their students. Like, Rutgers University has opened the dining facility for students who can't leave campus. Universities are also limiting the facilities like activities etc. on campus, so, students should have minimum exposure. Read: International Students left in confusion as universities shut campuses

Will online classes affect the students’ and aspirants' visa status in any way?

International students: Moving to online or remote learning has left many international students worrying. As students on an F-1 visa can have one online or distance learning class per semester. Also, students on M-1 visas and ESL students cannot count any remote classes for their degree score. However, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program that is run by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has said that it recognizes that these are special circumstances. Because of the pandemic, the program is allowing schools to hold temporarily lifting restrictions on holding distance learning, so, as of now, this won't affect the student visa status in any way.

Aspirants: As of March 16, the United States Embassy and Consulates in India are canceling routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments and will process immigrant 221gs. READ: Embassy of India Student Hub Advisory

While the uncertainty remains, the authorities and schools are trying to make sure that international students and study abroad applicants both can study in the US.

Study Abroad Aspirants

Prospective international students are also concerned about their applications and admission status, however, the schools are sensitive to their concerns and are preparing to address the issues concerning study abroad aspirants. Standardized admission tests are also being canceled worldwide. According to the College Board, the SAT exam scheduled for May has been canceled in many countries due to the Coronavirus outbreak. 

ETS, the body that administers TOEFL and GRE tests have also postponed both the exams in various countries. Students are notified by the ETS whose exams are postponed. Apart from this, some universities have deferred fall admissions. Like, the University of Akron has deferred summer admissions to fall and are treating Fall 2020 admissions as normal.

Students should note that coming from a country where Coronavirus is present does not affect the students' perspectives on their admission in any way.

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