It is very important that you take the responsibility of keeping yourself in-status (in good standing, in compliance) with the USCIS. Make sure that your documents have not expired, you do not work illegally or fall below the minimum number of academic hours each term. This will help you in staying in-status with the United States CIS. If you fall out-of-status (out-of-compliance) you will not be eligible to request certain F-1 student benefits such as Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training, or Travel endorsements. Therefore, be sure to comply with the USCIS rules. Remember that the International Admission is here to assist you in these matters. Set an appointment with one of our staff and we'll advise you accordingly. Staying in-status is easier to with the INS than to re-gain status once it has been lost.
Requirements
- Make sure that your passport is valid for the duration of the entire studies. If you should lose your documents, inform International Student Services as soon as possible. We can assist in replacing certain ones and refer you to your embassy if the passport has been lost.
- Keep your I-20 valid. It must be updated when there is a significant change in your circumstances i.e. funding source, major, level, name, etc.
- No unauthorized employment.
- Take a Full Course of Study. The regulations define a full course of study as completing twelve semester hours of instruction per academic term for undergraduates. Students in-status with the USCIS are eligible for the summer vacation.
- If you plan to transfer to another school, you should ask the International Admissions Office at the new school about the transfer procedures. Remember that you have15 day to set an appointment with the DSO. The DSO needs to see all past I-20s, the completed Transfer-Eligibility form, passport, I-94, and the CU I-20.
Deviations From the Full Course of Study
- Vacation. An F-1 student at an academic institution is considered to be in-status during the annual or summer vacation if the student is eligible and intends to register for the next term.
- Medical Problems. A student who is compelled by illness or other medical conditions to interrupt or reduce a full course of study is considered to be in-status during the illness or other medical condition. The student must resume a full course of study upon recovery. The student must submit a recommendation from the health care practitioner stating that a reduced course of study is required for medical reasons.
- Undergraduate Level. Undergraduate students completing their degree during the current term will not be required to maintain the 12-hour rule.
- Practical Training. Students engaging in full time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are considered to be taking a full course of study. Students engaged in part time Curricular Practical Training must maintain a full course load of classes while engaged in CPT.
Regaining Your Status
(Reinstatement to Student Status)
Any student who fails to maintain F-1 nonimmigrant status must apply for reinstatement. A student may need to file for reinstatement if the student has been under enrolled, has failed to complete a timely transfer, has failed to apply for a timely extension or has in some other way violated F-1 status. To apply for reinstatement, a student must make an appointment with the International Admissions Office. If you have been out of status more than 3 months, you must return to your home country.