International Parents and Family

Texas State University is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students. The university has a dedicated University Police Department that operates 24/7 and works closely with campus and local authorities to promote safety across campus and the surrounding community.

Students have access to a range of safety resources, including emergency call boxes, campus lighting, safety escorts, and emergency notifications through the TXST alert system. Texas State also offers wellness, counseling, and student support services to assist students in navigating academic and personal challenges.

We encourage families to talk with their student about personal safety, staying informed, and using available campus resources. International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) works in partnership with campus offices to ensure international students know where to go for support and assistance while studying at Texas State.

All students enrolled at Texas State University on an F-1 or J-1 student visa are required to enroll in the TXST International Student Health Insurance Plan. We encourage you to carefully review the plan details, including coverage benefits, effective dates, and how to use the insurance while in the United States.

To help you feel confident and informed, we strongly recommend attending one of our partner AHP’s insurance webinars, which provide a helpful overview of the plan and answer common questions.

Students in F-1 status may be eligible to work while studying at Texas State University, but employment options are limited and regulated by U.S. immigration rules. During the academic year, F-1 students may work on campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full time during official breaks.

Off-campus employment is not permitted unless the student has received prior authorization through approved programs such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). These opportunities must be directly related to the student’s field of study and require approval from ISSS before employment begins.

We encourage students to consult with the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office before accepting any employment to ensure they remain in compliance with immigration regulations.

Check out our “Next Steps International Students” page to ensure that your child completes all of the steps prior to arriving to campus.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a U.S. federal law that protects the privacy of a student’s educational records. Once a student enrolls at Texas State University, their academic, financial, and immigration-related information generally cannot be shared with parents or family members without the student’s written consent—regardless of the student’s age.

Students may choose to grant parents access to certain information through the Texas State Parent (Bobcat Family) Portal. We encourage families to have open conversations with their student about communication and access, and for students to contact the appropriate university office if they would like to share information.