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F-1 Program Extension
F-1 students are admitted to the US for Duration of Status
(D/S is noted on your I-94 card). Duration of status includes
the period of time during which an F-1 student is pursuing
a full course of study or authorized practical training plus
a sixty (60) day grace period in which to depart from the
United States.
If you will not complete your program of study by the expiration
date noted in item #5 on your I-20 form, you must apply for
a program extension in the thirty (30) day period before the
expiration date. Failure to extend your stay will cause your
legal status to be in jeopardy and will certainly result in
your having to file an application with INS for reinstatement
that will cost you a fee of $300.
Procedure for obtaining a program extension
The International Student Advisor grants extensions. You must
have continually maintained your full-time student status.
If the delay in completing the degree has been caused by compelling
academic or medical reasons such as a change of major, unexpected
research problems, or illness, the student will still be considered
in-status but will have to complete a Program Extension form.
Delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not
acceptable reasons for a program extension and the student
will be considered out-of-status.
The following documents are required for the program extension
and can be obtained from the Office of International Student
Services:
1. A completed Program Extension form
2. Proof of your financial support (an award letter, any
assistantship letter, bank letter, or sponsor letter)
3. Your most recent I-20 form
If all the documents are in order, the International Student
Advisor will prepare a new I-20 with a new completion date.
You should keep this I-20 along with any previously issued
I-20's.
Transfer To FHSU or From FHSU
An F-1 student must apply for a school transfer when transferring
to a new academic institution OR when moving to another educational
level (i.e. from bachelors to masters degree or from the ESL
program to the degree program) at the same school.
Transfer to a new school:
1. You must be a non-immigrant F-1 student.
2. You must be (and have been) a full-time student at the
school you were last authorized to attend either during
the immediate preceding term or semester or immediately
preceding an authorized school vacation.
3. You must intend to pursue a full course of study at the
new school or educational level. You must provide documentation
that you are financially able to attend the new school or
begin the new academic program.
4. You must apply and be accepted to the new school.
5. Obtain a transfer form from the school you are transferring
to. You will need to complete Section A of the form then
bring the form to the International Office for the International
Student Advisor to complete. The International Office will
then mail the transfer form to the new school.
Transferring to FHSU
If you meet the criteria listed above, FHSU will issue you
an I-20 for the new academic program. To complete the transfer
procedure:
Bring to the Office of International Student Services
your previous I-20 from your old school and FHSU's I-20.
You will also need to bring written verification of your
full-time status at your previous school.
1. You must apply to and be accepted to FHSU.
2. Complete a transfer form
PLEASE NOTE: You must report to the Office of International
Student Services within 15 days of the start of the semester.
If you fail to report, your F-1 student status is lost.
F-1 Reinstatement to Student
Status
A student who has failed to maintain F-1 student status and
wishes to return to or transfer to FHSU must apply for and
be granted reinstatement to F-1 student status by immigration.
Maintaining F-1 student status means that you have been a
full-time student and have not overstayed the authorized period
of stay as identified on your I-20 form. If you have taken
less than a full course of study, not extended your I-20,
or not completed the F-1 transfer procedure, you are likely
out of status and must apply for reinstatement before you
can be granted any additional benefits from INS (e.g. authorization
to accept practical training). A student who has work authorization
is also out of status, but is not eligible for reinstatement.
Please talk with the International Student Advisor immediately
if you think that you may be out of status. The longer you
wait to address the problem the more difficult it can become.
The reinstatement application includes the following documents:
1. a completed I-539 form marked clearly with "REINSTATEMENT"
2. $300 filing fee ( check should be made payable to Department
of Homeland Security)
3. a newly obtained I-20 form issued by FHSU
4. your original I-94 card
5. a copy of your previous I-20 form
6. evidence of continued funding
7. a written letter from you requesting reinstatement which
explains that the violation of student status resulted from
circumstances beyond your control and/or that the failure
to be reinstated would result in extreme hardship. Any documentation
that supports your claim should be attached.
8. letter from your academic advisor or Chair of the Department
confirming that you are in good standing and working toward
your degree.
9. proof of full-time enrollment (transcript)
10. photocopy of passport ID page
11. photocopy of visa page
*Please Note: As with all immigration applications,
you should keep copies of all documents submitted. Immigration
will make a decision whether or not to reinstate an individual
to F-1 student status. If the application is approved, immigration
endorses the new I-20 form. F-2 dependent status is automatically
reinstated with the reinstatement of the F-1 student.
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