COVID-19 Resources for Students: June 2020
We hope you’re staying safe and healthy during this unprecedented health crisis. MPOWER remains passionate about connecting students to the resources you need during your journey.
We’re sharing our shortlist of top resources and updating our FAQ on a regular basis—these are unprecedented times, and we want to be there when you need us most. Take a look at our latest resources below, please share with anyone that could benefit, and stay tuned for better times ahead.
Housing Resources:
Q: Can MPOWER help me find housing?
A: We’ve partnered with 4Stay, an off-campus housing platform to help you explore short-term housing options. Please visit their website if this could be helpful.
Immigration/Visa:
Q: Will COVID-19 affect my visa status?
A: Concerned about your F-1 visa status? Look at this link from ICE where they answer all your FAQs for SEVP stakeholders.
A: Information on Off-Campus Employment for F-1 Students can be found here. Talk to your Designated School Official (DSO) to get authorization!
Current DACA Resources:
- Our friends at Emerson Collective put together this list to help DACA recipients stay up to date on the resources available to them during the crisis – including legal aid, unemployment benefits, and how to be an advocate.
- Our friends at Global Immigration Partners have answered your questions on visa status and other legal issues during this health crisis. Check it out here.
- Another great article on visas! Our friends at WES.org wrote this helpful blog post where they discuss tips for visa extensions: Has COVID-19 Put You at Risk of Overstaying Your Visa?
Healthcare:
Q: How do I get health insurance in the U.S.?
A: During times like these, it’s important to have a health insurance plan you can rely on. At International Student Insurance all of their plans cover COVID-19 testing and treatment the same as any other illness. Explore their options here and see if they’re a good fit for you.
Mental Health Resources and Stress Management:
Q: Where can I find mental health resources for international students?
A: All this change and uncertainty is stressful, and that’s okay – if you need any assistance, check out this list of resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Their guide covers topics such as mental health, grief, healthcare, financial assistance, safe housing, and homelessness.
A: Feeling uncertain? Check out these 9 tips on reducing stress here. Our friends at WES.org put together a great list of everyday tips on how to manage stress here.
Online Work From Home Tips:
Q: How do I study or work online effectively?
A: Switched to online courses? Read this great list from Forbes for tips to succeed. Students and schools are having to improvise university classes, and everyone is all too familiar with Zoom calls these days. If you want to make the most of your online courses, this article has some great tips for successful learning!
Q: Has your university or job moved to working online?
A1: Check out these helpful tips on how to make the most of working from home from Marie Kondo!
A2: Our friends at WES.org put together this helpful article on how to be productive right now.
Job/Networking/Resume:
Q: How can MPOWER assist me in finding a job in the U.S.?
A: Graduating soon and worried about finding a job?
It’s important to still keep looking and applying for jobs! This is a great list from Candor to see who’s hiring and who’s not during the crisis.
Check out this MPOWER blog on creating the perfect résumé or this MPOWER webinar on Immigration, Work Authorization, and Job Searching in the USA!
Parachute List is a great new, and free, online community for employees laid off during COVID-19 – they also offer career counseling for free! Check them out here.
Miscellaneous fun ones/other resources:
Q: What can I do to have fun at home?
A: Need to unwind? Here are some relaxing ways to pass the time 🙂
1. Easy and cheap recipes to make from staple pantry items.
2. List of shows to binge-watch in quarantine on a variety of streaming platforms.
Online Learning Opportunities and Resources: including Rosetta Stone free for 3 months, museum tours, and how to make the most of online meetings!
Free time on your hands? Use it wisely and certify your English language skills! Duolingo is offering proficiency tests online now! Learn more here.
Events (i.e. webinars):
Q: Does MPOWER Provide Additional Help for the U.S. Visa Process?
A: Webinar with ArgoVisa on Effects of COVID-19 on the U.S. Visa Process. MPOWER hosted a webinar with a special guest, the Ex-Vice Consul of the U.S. Embassy, to talk about how the current health crisis will possibly change the visa process for incoming international students. You can check out the recording here.
Q&A about MPOWER Scholarships:
Q1: Can students still submit applications? Will I need to resubmit my application?
A: Any application already submitted for this cycle will still be considered when MPOWER selects the winners after December 31, 2020. Students can continue to submit applications and do not need to wait until the fall semester.
Q2: Will this change the number of scholarships that are available?
A: The number of scholarships and amounts are the same and are updated on the website. There are three awards for each scholarship program:
Global Citizen: $3,000, $1,000, $1,000
Women in STEM: $3,000, $1,000, $1,000
Q3: What can I be doing to stay informed on updates on the application process during the next few months?
A: If you have not done so already, you can subscribe to our scholarship newsletter and we will continue to update the scholarship page on our website with any changes.
Q4: I need funding for this semester and/or I will not be needing funds for Spring 2021.
A: Please check out these other scholarship sources:
