LewerMark Student Insurance USA

To every student who traveled across the world carrying your culture, your language, and your story with you, we see you.

This April, we’re celebrating Arab American Heritage Month and honoring the Arab and Arab American students on campuses across the U.S. Your resilience, your brilliance, and your presence make every campus community stronger.

Studying abroad is no small thing. And doing it while holding onto your heritage and sharing it with the world? That’s something worth celebrating.

Happy Arab American Heritage Month. We’re proud to be in your corner. 💙

What if one language could connect you across the world? 🌏

Today is Chinese Language Day and it’s more relevant to your journey than you might think.

For international students, language isn’t just about speaking.

It’s about navigating life in a new place.

📌 Asking for help when you need it
📌 Making friends in a new culture
📌 Understanding your classes (and your professors)
📌 Feeling like you belong, even far from home

With over a billion speakers, Chinese is one of the most powerful global languages, shaping business, education, and everyday connection.

But here’s the real part:

Even learning a few words in any language can change everything.

A simple “hello” can turn a lonely moment into a real connection.

At LewerMark, we see this every day. Language isn’t just communication.

It’s confidence. It’s access. It’s feeling seen.

💙 Happy Chinese Language Day to students building lives across borders.

⏳ Tomorrow is the deadline, April 15.

If you’re an international student in the U.S., here’s what you need to know 👇

“Do I need to file if I didn’t work?”
“Which form is it?”
“Wait… what’s 8843?”

You’re not alone. This is confusing for a lot of students, especially if it’s your first time dealing with U.S. taxes.

📌 Quick reality check:

• Most students on an F-1 visa are considered nonresidents for tax purposes
• Even if you didn’t earn money, you may still need to file Form 8843
• If you worked (OPT, CPT, or on-campus), you likely need to file a federal tax return (Form 1040-NR)
• State taxes can be different depending on where you live

📌 Why it matters:

Filing incorrectly — or not filing at all — can cause problems later with visas, immigration, or future applications.

We know this process can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re sharing a simple guide from our partners at Sprintax to help you step-by-step.

🔗 https://blog.sprintax.com/f1-visa-tax-return-guide-international-students/

You’ve got this 💪

Health doesn’t stop when you move to a new country.

On April 7, World Health Day reminds us:
Together for health. Stand with science.

If you’re studying abroad, taking care of your health can feel confusing at first
new systems, new terminology, and not always knowing where to go.

You’re not alone in that.

At LewerMark, we’re here to help you navigate care, understand your coverage, and feel more confident getting the support you need.

Because your health matters wherever you are.

And better health doesn’t happen alone
it happens together.

🌍

If you’re an international student in the U.S., you’ve probably asked yourself this lately:

“Do I need to file taxes if I didn’t work?”
“Which forms do I need?”
“Where do I even start?”

With the April 15 deadline coming up, you’re not alone. U.S. taxes can feel confusing, especially if it’s your first time.

Here’s something a lot of students don’t realize:
👉 Even if you didn’t earn income, you may still need to file Form 8843 if you’re on an F-1 or J-1 visa.

That’s why having the right guidance matters.

Sprintax is hosting free webinars for international students to help break it all down:

✔ How to know your tax residency status
✔ What forms you need (like 8843 + 1040-NR)
✔ Key deadlines to know
✔ Common mistakes to avoid

Upcoming sessions:

📅 April 6 | 1:00 PM ET
https://lnkd.in/gjaYWVbR

📅 April 14 | 4:00 PM ET
https://lnkd.in/gPtzy7tb

You don’t have to figure this out alone 💙

When a student is far from home and needs a specialty medication, the path to help is rarely simple.

Recently, a student came to us with ankylosing spondylitis and needed a high-powered medication.

Jeanette knew early on this would take persistence.

While certain specialty medications aren’t covered under the plan, she didn’t stop there.

Instead, she worked alongside the student to:

📞 Contact pharmaceutical manufacturers
📄 Review patient assistance program requirements
📝 Complete applications and documentation
🔎 Navigate complex eligibility criteria

The result?

One full year of Humira provided at no cost through a manufacturer assistance program.

These programs aren’t easy to qualify for.
They take time, follow-up, and real advocacy.

But for a student far from home, that kind of persistence can change everything.

Support isn’t always about what’s covered.

Sometimes, it’s about having someone who knows how to navigate the system—and stays with you until a solution is found.

Tax season can be confusing for international students.
Unfortunately, that confusion is exactly what scammers rely on.

📌 IRS scams are on the rise, and international students are often targeted due to unfamiliarity with the system.

A few important reminders:
• The IRS will never call, text, or email you first
• They will never ask for payment via gift cards or urgent threats
• Always be cautious of emails asking you to click links or share personal information

If something feels off, trust that instinct.

For a breakdown of common IRS scams and how to report them, check out this guide from Sprintax:
👉 https://lnkd.in/g4-qaG5W

And as a reminder — Sprintax support is available 24/7 through their live chat to help nonresident students safely complete their tax returns.

🌎 Supporting international students starts with listening.

Last week, members of the LewerMark Student Insurance team visited Seattle to spend time with partner campuses and the students we serve.

One highlight was meeting Mai Nguyen, a Fall 2025 LewerMark scholarship recipient, during a stop at Seattle Central College. Moments like these are a meaningful reminder of the real journeys behind international education.

We’re grateful for the conversations, insights, and opportunity to continue strengthening the support available to international students.

With:
Evan Franulovich
Deleasha Vincent
Sancha Elevado Harrison, M.Ed.
Jim Bueno
Mike Lewer

International students: traveling this Spring Break? ✈️🌎

Whether you’re exploring a new city, visiting friends, or traveling solo, Spring Break is the perfect time for adventure.

But a little preparation goes a long way.

Save this quick travel checklist before you go:

✔ Check visa requirements and local customs
✔ Share your travel plans with someone you trust
✔ Keep digital + physical copies of important documents
✔ Save local emergency numbers and embassy contacts
✔ Download the Assist America Travel App before departure

When you’re prepared, you can focus on the best part of studying abroad: exploring the world and making memories. 🌍

Our partners at Assist America created a helpful guide for international students traveling solo this Spring Break.

Read the full guide here:
https://lewermark.com/blog/spring-break-staying-safe-while-traveling-by-yourself/

Safe travels and enjoy the adventure ✈️

You can help reduce barriers to mental health care for the international students placed in your care.

Our upcoming webinar addresses how peer-to-peer online communities like Togetherall create an entry point for mental health care. It’s a proven option that students are willing to utilize, even when they trust on-campus resources but choose not to visit.

Learn more and register now at https://events.zoom.us/ev/AnD7LzJ1ypo9VTBcSefplnnGdDXxLhiF1vEu6IwIPAM_ZWQGr5Km~AtCn6gQdOS3_vjvigBjZFEJZfg8fLqHQn9ENv5M_M05wfy1xFny3EGv6iaZdCyetD5fmzajss4-GJheltd66DstVNQ

Education has always been central to progress.

From Historically Black Colleges and Universities to community leaders and advocates across the country, access to education has shaped generations of impact.

As Black History Month concludes, we recognize the institutions, leaders, and students who continue building opportunity through learning and service.

The work continues, and so does our commitment to supporting communities that invest in the next generation.