Maintaining Status for F-1 Students

 

In order to maintain F1 status, students must:

• Pursue a full course of study
• Make normal progress toward completing the course of study
• Keep the form I-20 valid at all times, which includes:

• Program Extensions
• Change in Educational Levels or Programs
• Changing Major
• Transferring Schools
• Change in Financial Situation

• Report address changes
• Keep passport valid at all times
• Follow Employment Eligibility Requirements

 

Pursue a full course of study

• Minimum Full Time Enrollment Requirements (Fall and Spring)

• Undergraduate Students: 12 credits
• Graduate Students without assistantship: 9 credits
• Graduate Students with assistantship: 6 credits

• Use of Online or Distance Courses

According to U.S. Federal Regulations, a maximum of one online or distance course (3 credits) may be applied toward the full time enrollment requirements each semester.

• Eligibility for a Reduced Course Load

In a few rare cases, reduced enrollment may be authorized one time. You must receive written authorization from the International Student Advisor before you drop below full time. If you fail to do this, you will be out of status and will have to apply for Reinstatement.

 

Make normal progress toward completing course of study

• Program End Date

• The program end date listed on line 5 of your form I-20 is the last day you are eligible to pursue your program of study. This date is determined by the university estimate of how long your particular program should take.
• Programs may be extended for legitimate academic or medical reasons. You must file for an extension with the International Student Advisor before the end date listed on your form I-20.

• Minimum Academic Requirements

•  
  • You must maintain the minimum grade point average (GPA) as indicated in the UND Academic Catalog:
    • Undergraduate Students: 2.0 GPA
    • Graduate Students: 3.0 GPA
  • Individual programs or departments may have higher requirements for remaining in the program.

 

Keep your I-20 valid

• Extending Program

• The program end date listed on line 5 of your form I-20 is the last day you are eligible to pursue your program of study. This date is determined by the university estimate of how long your particular program should take.
• Programs may be extended for legitimate academic or medical reasons. You must file for an extension with the International Student Advisor before the end date listed on your form I-20.
• To apply for an extension, you will need to complete a Request for Extension of Program form with your academic advisor and submit that to the International Student Advisor. You will also need to provide current financial support documentation.  More information is available on Extending Your Stay.

• Changing Educational Level or Program of Study 
  • All changes of degree program require a new I-20 for the new program. This includes:
    • Moving to a higher degree level (e.g. Bachelor's to Master's)
    • Moving to a lower degree level (e.g. PhD to Master's)
    • Moving to a new program at the same degree level (e.g. Master's in Engineering to Master's in Computer Science)
  • When you move to a new degree program, you will need a new form I-20 for that program. This process must be completed before the first day of your new program.
  • In addition to completing all university requirements for applying for admission into the new program, you will also need to submit new financial certification
  • Please notify the International Student Advisor as soon as you know that you are planning to move to a new degree program.

• Changing Major

• Undergraduate students who change their major will need a new I-20 to show the correct major

• Change your major with the appropriate school or college on campus
• Verify that the change appears correctly in your Campus Connection Record
• Meet with an International Student Advisor to revise your I-20

• Transferring Schools
  • If you will be moving to a new U.S. school, then you will need to arrange to have your SEVIS record transferred to the new school. The new school will not be able to issue you a new I-20 until your SEVIS record is released from UND.
  • To arrange to have your SEVIS record released, you should meet with an International Student Advisor at least three weeks before you wish to transfer. Before you come to your appointment, find out if your new school has a SEVIS transfer form that you will need to fill out. If they do, you should bring this form to your appointment with the International Student Advisor.

• Changes in Financial Situation

• If your source of financial support changes significantly, you should meet with an International Student Advisor to revise the financial information on your I-20.

 

Report Address Changes

• If you move, you must report your change of address to the International Student Advisor within 10 days of the change. You may notify the International Student Advisor of address changes by email or by completing the Change of Address Form.

• You should also remember to keep your address current on UND Campus Connection.

 

Keep your passport valid

• You are required to keep a valid passport at all times. If your passport will be expiring within the next 6 months, you should contact the nearest embassy or consulate for your country to determine the requirements for renewing your passport. You can find the website for your embassy at http://www.embassy.org.

 

Employment Eligibility

• On-Campus Employment

• You may work a maximum of 20 hours a week on campus during the school year
• During winter and summer vacation periods you may work up to 40 hours per week on campus.

• Off-Campus Employment

• Off campus employment is not allowed except in the following cases:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)-Employment for academic credit or to fulfill a requirement in your degree program
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)-Employment directly related to your program of study. Academic credit is not required.
• Severe Economic Hardship (SEH)-Employment authorization for students who demonstrate significant financial hardship due to circumstances that can be documented as unexpected and beyond the student's control.

• All types of off campus employment require special, advance authorization.

 

F-3 Students (Part-Time Border Commuter)

Certain Canadian citizens may study at UND as Part-time Border Commuter Students

 

Definition of Part-Time Border Commuter Students

Canadian and Mexican citizens who study part time in the United States but who live in their home country and commute to classes in the U.S. To be qualified as a part-time border commuter student, a student must:

• Be a Canadian or Mexican Citizen

• Be registered as a border commuter student

• Attend a U.S. college or university located within 75 miles of the border

• Pursue a “full course of study” (i.e. be pursuing an academic goal) but be pursuing it part time

• Maintain actual residence and place of abode in the country of citizenship and commute through a land border port-of-entry to the U.S. for study.

 

Required Documents for Enty into the United States

• Form I-20-Issued for the current semester onlyPassport or equivalent identification (birth certificate and driver’s license)Proof of Payment of SEVIS fee (I-901)

• I-94 card (issued upon first entry into the U.S. in student status)

• Additional Documents for Entry (may be requested)

• Proof of registration or other proof of admission to the university

• Proof of financial support (the statements used to issue the I-20)

 

Requirements for Maintaining Status

• Enrollment Requirements:

• F-3 status students must be enrolled on a part time basis only:

• Undergraduate students:

• Fewer than 12 credits Fall and spring semesters
• Fewer than 9 credits during summer

• Graduate Students:

• Fewer than 9 credits any term

 

• Make normal progress toward completing your academic goal

• Maintain minimum academic eligibility requirements for enrollment in the University

• Undergraduate Students: 2.0 minimum GPA
• Graduate Students: 3.0 minimum GPA

• Maintain department standards for continuation in the program

 

• Employment Eligibility

• Employment within the United States (either on campus or off campus) is not allowed during the program of study

 

• Maintain Valid I-20

• You must request a new I-20 for the next semester prior to the completion of the current term
• If you will not be attending classes during the following semester, you should notify the International Student Advisor

 

• Address Requirements

• You must keep the International Student Advisor informed of any changes in your Canadian address

• Email the International Student Advisor OR
• Complete Change of Address Form

• Make sure that you keep your address current on Campus Connection

 

Changing from F-3 to F-1 status

If you will be moving from part time commuter status to full time attendance, you must notify the International Student Advisor. You will need to complete paperwork to become an F-1 status student.