OPT & STEM OPT

Please note that these I-983 guidelines are for employees of Boise State University and their hiring department. Boise State students who are not Boise State employees should consult the Boise State student STEM OPT resources.

Students on STEM OPT and their employers must complete and follow a formal training plan, called the Form I-983. The plan must outline the student’s learning objects and affirm the employer’s commitment to helping the student achieve those objectives. The form is submitted to the student’s immigration advisor (DSO or PDSO) at the school that is recommending STEM OPT (see below for more details).

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

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

A copy of the final signed form must also be submitted to the Center for Global Engagement (globalscholars@boisestate.edu). You must also notify the Center for Global Engagement immediately if an employee on STEM OPT leaves the position at any time before the STEM OPT period ends.

STEM OPT students and their employers are subject to the terms and conditions of the 24-month STEM OPT extension regulations, effective as of the employment start date requested for the associated STEM OPT period, as indicated on the Form I-983.

There are also step by step guidelines on the Study in the States STEM OPT Hub, including a helpful tutorial on completing the form.

Although it is not requested on the I-983 form, you will need Boise State University’s E-verify number as part of the STEM OPT application with USCIS. Boise State University’s E-verify number is 1230434.

Section 1: Student Information (completed by student) 

Student Name: Enter your full name as it appears on your I-20. Please be sure to write your name in the requested order (Surname/Primary Name, Given Name).

Student Email Address: Enter current email address

Name of School Recommending STEM OPT: Enter school name on your I-20. This will be the most recent school you attended in the U.S. (the one that currently issues your OPT I-20s).

Name of School Where STEM Degree Was Earned: Enter the name of the U.S. school where you earned your qualifying STEM degree. This may or may not be the same school recommending the STEM OPT if you are applying based on STEM degree earned earlier in your academic career.

SEVIS School Code of School Recommending STEM OPT: This will be listed on your most-recent I-20. It starts with 3 letters and then has a list of numbers.

DSO Name and Contact Information: Enter the name and contact information of the DSO official at the school recommending OPT. Include email and phone number of the DSO.

Student SEVIS ID Number: This is listed at the top of your I-20, and begins with “N”

STEM OPT Requested Period: This start date is immediately after your current OPT ends (check your Employment Authorization Document [EAD] card). Add 24 months to calculate the end date.

Qualifying Major and Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code: Enter the code on your I-20 for the school/degree program that you are using as a basis for your STEM OPT request.  Your CIP code can be found in the “Program of Study” section of your I-20. It is a six-digit code (XX.XXXX) following the major.

Level/Type of Qualifying Degree: Enter the academic level upon which you are basing STEM OPT. (For example, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D.)

Date Awarded: Enter the date when the degree, upon which STEM OPT will be based, was awarded.

Based on Prior Degree?

• Check “No” if your STEM OPT is based on your most recently obtained degree.
• Check “Yes” if your STEM OPT is based on a previously obtained U.S. STEM degree that is not the same degree upon which your current OPT was granted.

Employment Authorization Number: Enter your “A” number found on your EAD card.

Section 2: Student Certification (completed by student)

Student Certification: Review each item carefully and affirm the statements by signing the Form. Students may physically sign the Form I-983 in ink or input their own electronic signature.

Section 3: Employer Information

Employer Name: Enter Boise State University

Street Address, Suite, City, State, Zip Code: 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725

Employer Website URL: boisestate.edu

Employer ID Number (EIN): Boise State University’s EIN is 82-0290701

Number of Full‐Time Employees in the United States: 2,920 (as of 2023)

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 611310

OPT Training Hours Per Week: Enter the agreed upon number of average working hours per week. In order to qualify for STEM OPT, the student must work a minimum of 20 hours per week for each job.

Start Date of Employment: This is the date that the STEM OPT employment at Boise State will begin. This may be later than the actual start date of the employment if the student began working for Boise State University during their post-completion OPT period.

Compensation: Enter the dollar amount of salary, stipend, and/or other compensation, and the frequency of pay (per hour, per week, biweekly, monthly). Other compensation may include housing, tuition waivers, transportation costs, etc.

Note: The terms and conditions of a STEM practical training opportunity (including duties, hours, and compensation) must be commensurate with those applicable to similarly situated U.S. workers, except that a STEM OPT participant must work at least 20 hours per week while employed.

Section 4: Employer Certification (completed by employer)

At Boise State University, this section must be reviewed and signed by the College Dean or Vice-President. If you are unsure who is the most appropriate person to sign, please contact the Center for Global Engagement (globalscholars@boisestate.edu). Employers may physically sign the Form I-983 in ink or input their own electronic signature.

Section 5: Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (completed by employer/supervisor and student together)

Section 5 requires specificity, outlining the specific tasks that will be completed during the STEM OPT, how the work relates to the student’s qualifying STEM degree, what knowledge and skills the student will gain, and how they will gain that knowledge and skill set. Generic plans that don’t appear to relate clearly to the student’s qualifying STEM degree, or don’t outline clear goals, will not meet STEM OPT requirements. If you would like further guidance or a review of the plan before final signatures, please contact the Center for Global Engagement (globalscholars@boisestate.edu).

Student Name: Enter student’s full name (Surname/Primary Name, Given Name) exactly as it appears on their I-20 (will match section 1 of the I-983)

Employer Name: Boise State University

Site Name: Boise State University + specific department

Site Address: Enter the exact address of the work site where the STEM OPT will take place

Name of Official: Enter the name of Boise State employee who is supervising the student on this training plan and will oversee the student’s goals and performance. This is typically the Principal Investigator (P.I.) for research positions

Official’s Title: Boise State University title of the supervisor (listed in the Name of Official section)

Official’s Email: Email address of the supervisor (listed in the Name of Official section)

Official’s Phone Number: Phone number of supervisor (listed in the Name of Official section)

Student Role and the Training Program’s Direct Relationship to the Student’s Qualifying STEM Degree: Describe specific tasks and assignments the student will carry out during their employment, and how these relate to the student’s STEM degree. The plan should be future-oriented, rather than discussing what the student has accomplished so far. Ideally, the plan should mention the student’s academic discipline by name, rather than a generic statement like “the student’s STEM degree” and make it clear to a layperson how the work relates to the student’s degree.

Goals and Objectives: Describe the student’s specific goals (skills, knowledge, and techniques); and how the student will achieve those goals. Be specific about the projects and tasks.

Employer Oversight: Explain how the employer provides oversight and supervision to the student.

Measures and Assessments: Explain how the employer measures and confirms whether the student is acquiring new knowledge and skills.

Additional Remarks (optional): Provide any additional information that you think is important related to the STEM OPT Training plan.

Section 6: Employer Official Certification (completed by employer/supervisor)

Certification of Official with Signatory Authority: Signature by the supervisor (listed in the Name of Official section) who is familiar with the student’s goals and responsible for supervising the student during the employment period. Employers may physically sign the Form I-983 in ink or input their own electronic signature.

Evaluation on Student Progress (shared responsibility of student and employer/supervisor)

*These are not due with the initial I-983 training plan*

Student evaluations are in place to make sure that the training goals are being satisfactorily met. The student is responsible for conducting a self‐evaluation based on his or her own training progress. The employer must review and sign the self‐evaluation to attest to its accuracy.

The first evaluation is due only after 12 months of the STEM OPT period. It is not due with the initial I-983 training plan. Depending on the student’s start date, this may or may not be due after 12 months of employment at Boise State University.

The second evaluation is due when the student leaves the position, or at the end of the STEM OPT period (whichever is earlier).

Student Signature: Signed and dated by student. Students may physically sign the evaluation in ink or input their own electronic signature.

Employer Signature: Signed by the supervisor, upon agreement with the assessment information that the student has entered for the evaluation. Employers may physically sign the evaluation in ink or input their own electronic signature.

Upon Completion of the Evaluation: Student must submit to their DSO at the institution recommending their STEM OPT (listed in Section 1 of the training plan).