The I-983 is a formal training plan for STEM OPT students which must clearly articulate the STEM OPT student’s learning objectives and affirm employer’s commitment to helping the student achieve those objectives. Students and their employers must complete, and sign Form I-983 and submit it to the student’s DSO. More information can be found on the Study in the States website, including a pdf version of Form I-983 and instructions for the form. 

Section 1: Student Information

1. Under "Student Email Address" use your non-TAMU email address
2. The SEVIS school code can be found on your I-20 under "School Information"
3. Leave the DSO's name and contact information section blank and the DSO who processes your documents will fill this out for you 
4. The start date of your STEM Extension will be the day after your current EAD expires
   • For example, if your 12-month OPT EAD expires on 05/15/2024, your request STEM OPT start date should be 05/16/204 and your end date should be 05/15/2026 
5. Your major's CIP code can be found on your I-20 under "Program of Study"
6. Under "Level/Type of Qualifying Degree," write Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate 
7. For the question "Based on Prior Degree," mark "NO" if this is based on the degree you most recently earned from Texas A&M University. You will only mark "Yes" if this STEM OPT is based on a degree at a lower level OR from another school 
   • More information about applying for STEM Extension based on a previously earned degree can be found on our STEM OPT page.
8. The "Employment Authorization Number" is the USCIS number on your EAD card formatted as XXX-XXX-XXX 

Section 2: Student Certification

Do not forget to sign and date at the bottom where it says, “signature of student.”  Digital signatures are okay as long as it’s not a plain typed signature. It should be some kind of e-signature (i.e. - Adobe e-sign). 

Section 3: Employer Information

This section MUST BE completed by your EMPLOYER.

1. The Employer Name on page 2 and page 3 (under Section 5) should match
2. If your employer does not have a website, they can write "N/A"
3. Make sure the EIN contains 9 digits
   • This is a common error.
4. The NAICS code is a 2-to-6 digit number that can be obtained from your employer or from the Census website.
5. The start date should be the date you began working for the company while on STEM OPT. You cannot write a date that falls before the end date that is listed on your previous OPT EAD card.
6. Under the section "Other Compensation" you can include housing and/or relocation stipends, transportation costs, hiring bonuses, etc. 

Section 4: Employer Certification

This section MUST BE completed by your EMPLOYER.

Make sure your employer has signed and dated the bottom of this section. Digital signatures as okay as long as it's not a plain typed signature. It should be some kind of e-signature (i.e. Adobe e-sign).

Section 5: Training Plan

This section will be completed by BOTH the student AND the employer

1. Employer Name should match the name you wrote on page 2 (in Section 3)
2. The Site Name and Address you write here will be used to process your STEM OPT recommendation and will be listed on your I-20. Please include the full site address
   • This is a common error.
3. The remaining information should be filled out according to the training plan set by you and your employer 

Section 6: Employer Official Certification

This section MUST BE completed by your EMPLOYER.

Make sure your employer has signed and dated the bottom of this section. Digital signatures are okay as long as it’s not a plain typed signature. It should be some kind of e-signature (i.e. - Adobe e-sign). 

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The following sections of the I-983 should be left blank unless your 12 or 24-month reporting is due:
 
Page 5: Evaluation of Student Progress: Leave this section blank for now. You will complete this during your 12-month reporting requirement. More information about reporting STEM employment can be found at STEM Reporting Requirements. 

Page 5: Final Evaluation on Student Progress: Leave this section blank for now. You will complete this during your 24-month reporting requirement OR upon the termination of this employment. More information about reporting STEM employment can be found at STEM Reporting Requirements.