The student must get permission from the DSO first before dropping below a full course of study.

ONLY ONE AUTHORIZATION FOR DROPPING BELOW A FULL COURSE OF STUDY IS ALLOWED AT THAT PROGRAM LEVEL.

9. Extension of Stay

An F-1 student who is unable to complete a full course of study in a timely manner, must apply to the International Advisor (DSO) for a program extension within 30 days before the completion date on the I-20 form. The student's academic advisor must indicate on the Extension/Departure notice, the reason for the extension.   The DSO must then certified to SEVIS that the student has continually maintained status and that the delays are caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, a change of major or research topics, unexpected research problems or documented illness. If a student is unable to complete the educational program within the time period written on the SEVIS I-20 and does not apply for a program extension within a timely manner, the student is considered to be out of status. Under these circumstances the student must apply for reinstatement and meet with an International Advisor to go over options.     

10. Transferring out to another College or University

If an F-1 student wishes to transfer, he/she must first notify the school he/she is presently attending of the intent to transfer prior to the issuance of form I-20. The DSO at the present school is responsible for determining that the student has been maintaining status and is eligible to transfer. Once the semester has started and the student has registered, the student will need to show the new College/University the Transfer pending I-20 so that the new College/University can issue a continuing attendance I-20 form to the student. The student has 15 days from the start of the semester to do so. An F-1 student who was not pursuing a full course of study at the school he or she was last authorized to attend is ineligible for school transfer and must apply for a reinstatement. An F-1 student is not permitted to remain in the United States when transferring between schools or programs unless the student will begin classes within 5 months of transferring. 

11. Employment on Campus

An F-1 student who has been issued a SEVIS I-20 may not begin on campus employment more than 30 days prior to the actual start date of classes. The student may only work on the campus of the school that issued the I-20 and the work may not exceed 20 hours a week when school is in session and full time when school is not in session. In addition, a student who has been issued an I-20 to begin a new program and who intends to enroll for the next regular academic term or session at the College/University that issued form SEVIS I-20, may continue to work on campus employment incident to status.

12. Employment off campus due to Severe Economic Hardship

An F-1 student must have been present in the U.S. at least for one academic year before applying for work permission off campus. The student must demonstrate to both the DSO and USCIS that there are now some unforeseen economic circumstances that occurred after his/her arrival in the US . The student must be in good academic standing and show proof of the unexpected event that caused the request. The DSO must recommend the work permission and review all required Immigration documents with the student before the student mails them for adjudication. USCIS adjudicates the application for severe economic hardship work permission if the International Advisor (DSO) certifies that the international student has suffered severe economic hardship which was unforeseen and beyond the student's control and that the jobs on campus are not sufficient to meet his/her needs. Please schedule an advisory appointment with an International Advisor if you have questions.

13. Practical Training

Practical Training is available to F-1 students who have been enrolled full time for at least one academic year. Exceptions to this rule apply to graduate students who are required immediate participation in a curricular practical training program. A student may begin the curricular practical training only after receiving his/her I-20. A student can now get one year of optional practical training (opt) after completion of each higher level degree program. Thus, a student can get OPT after a Bachelor's degree and another OPT after a Master's degree and another OPT after a PhD degree. OPT automatically terminates when the student transfers to another College/University or begins to study at another educational level.  

Curricular Practical Training (CPT): The International Advisor (DSO) may authorize an F-1 student to participate in a curricular practical training program (CPT) that is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training is defined to be alternate work/study, an internship, cooperative education or any type of required internship or practicum, which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. Students who have received one year or more of full time curricular practical training are ineligible for post completion optional practical training. The academic advisor must indicate to the DSO the reason for the curricular practical training, specifying the dates, the location of the site and the name of the company. All curricular practical trainings authorization must be done before the student starts the employment . To engage in employment without the DSO's approval is a violation of status. Please consult with an international advisor if you have questions.

Optional Practical Training (OPT): The student must have been in enrolled full time for one full academic year in order to apply for OPT. You can apply for OPT only after completion of all course requirements for the degree, exluding thesis or its equivalent. You can start the filing process for OPT 120 days before the completion of all degree requirements with a job offer and 90 days before the completion of all degree requirements without a job offer. A student cannot apply after all course requirements have been completed.  An F-1 student can only for OPT which is directly related to the student's major area of study. The approval of the employment and issuance of the EAD card usually takes 6-8 weeks to receive the card in the mail (processing times can vary and are subject to change at any given time).

Important issues to keep in mind:

The local Immigration Officer may reconsider reinstatement of an F-1 student who makes a request for reinstatement by submitting form I-539. The student must meet the expectations of the Immigration Officer and prove that the violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond the student's control or prove that failure to receive reinstatement would result in extreme hardship. This student must also be pursuing a full course of study, cannot be engaged in unauthorized employment and is not deportable on any other grounds. Please discuss your own personal set of issues with an International Advisor (DSO).

15. Studying Dependents