Maintaining Your Legal Student Status

Now that you have entered the U.S. as a nonimmigrant in F-1 or J-1 student status, it is critically important that you are aware of and abide by the regulations that govern your stay. International Student and Scholar Advising can assist you in maintaining your legal student status and dealing with various U.S. government agencies. However, you are responsible for finding out, knowing, and following pertinent regulations. Under the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), an internet-based system that facilitates the transmission of data to and from the federal government, your record, including name, date and place of birth, country of citizenship, current address, academic status, and employment information, can be checked regularly by several government agencies. The consequence of you falling out of your status may be severe. If you are the least bit uncertain about your status—whether your permission to stay is valid or whether you may be paid for an internship—check immediately.

To maintain your legal student status, you must:

1. Keep your passport valid at all times.

  • Your passport must be renewed 6 months before it expires. Without a valid passport, you do not have legal immigration status and are ineligible for employment of any type, including on-campus jobs, practical training, etc. Visit your country’s consulate website to learn how to renew your passport. Your home country’s embassies or consulate’s contact information may be easily accessible in the U.S. and in your home country.
  • You should maintain a copy of your passport and keep the copy separate from the actual passport.
  • Each time you enter the U.S., you will receive an electronic I-94 Admissions/Departure Record from Customs and Border Patrol. You must check the record to be sure that all information is accurate. The website is:   https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home

2. Maintain full-time enrollment and normal progress toward your degree, as defined below:

  • You must register and complete a full course of study each semester that you are enrolled.
    • Undergraduate: Minimum 3 units per semester (units may calculate different than courses)
    • Graduate: Check with your GSAS or GSSW to determine full-time enrollment.
  • The measure of normal progress is the rate at which the average full-time student in their program advances toward their degree. Working to complete courses or projects designated as incomplete from previous semesters is not maintaining normal progress. If you find yourself in this situation, or if you have an academic reason to carry a less than full-time load, you must consult with the PDSO/DSO immediately, and your academic dean or graduate adviser. A DSO must authorize a drop below full course load (commonly referred to as a "reduced course load," or RCL) and update SEVIS prior to the student reducing their course load. A student who drops below a full course of study without the prior approval of the DSO is considered out of status.
  • As a federal regulation, you are required to attend classes or you may be terminated.

3. Notify your Principal/Designated School Official (P/DSO) immediately (within 10 days) if you: 

  • Change your address; You must always maintain a local address with the College, regardless of if you are on campus or off-campus. Submit Contact Information in GPS.
  • If your address in your home country changes, you must submit the address change in Contact Information in GPS.
  • Declare or change your major(s). Submit Declaration of Major in GPS.
  • Change your financial support; or
  • Change your U.S. immigration status. Contact the DSO

4. Limit your on-campus employment to a maximum of 17.5 hours per week while school is in session. You can work on-campus full-time during vacation periods. 

  • Although US immigration regulations permit on-campus employment up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, Bryn Mawr College procedures limit on-campus employment to 17.5 hours per week for undergraduate students.

5. Obtain Authorization for Off-Campus Curricular/Practical Activity

  • Do not engage in off-campus curricular activity without prior authorization.
  • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary authorization for practical training directly related to your major field of study—paid or unpaid. CPT authorization is required for Praxis field placements/work, internships, cooperative education, or other type required internships or practicum.  The activity must be offered by sponsoring employers/organizations through cooperative agreements with Bryn Mawr College.  A DSO may authorize Curricular Practical Training for participation in practical training that is an integral part of an established curriculum.  Curricular Practical training may be authorized to an F-1 student only after they have been enrolled one full academic year.
  • Submit your CPT request in GPS. You must have a major on your I-20.

6. Never work off-campus without prior authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for Optional Practical Training

  • Beginning to work off-campus without proper authorization from the USCIS is considered the most serious violation of your status; it renders you illegally present in the U.S.     
  • Optional Practical Training authorization is processed by USCIS and may take approximately three months to obtain, it is very important that you consult with your DSO before you plan to work. Keep in mind that if you are applying for post-completion Optional Practical Training, USCIS must receive your application no sooner than 90 days in advance of, but within 60 days of your program end date.
  • It is illegal to begin to work in anticipation of being granted permission to do so; you must have employment approval from USCIS and a EAD card before working.​​​​​​​

7. Keep your I-20 Form (F-1 student) or DS-2019 Form (J-1 student) valid.

  • I​​​​​​​f, you plan to travel outside of the U.S., you must receive a travel endorsement signature on your I-20 from a Designated School Official (DSO) to re-enter the U.S. A travel endorsement signature is valid for one year. ​​​​​​An electronic signature is acceptable for the travel endorsement. Submit a request in GPS for a travel endorsement. If you already have one on your most recent I-20, and you will re-enter the U.S. in less than one year, do not request a new travel endorsement.
  • If you plan to continue studying beyond your program end date on your I-20, you must apply for a "program extension" 30 days before the expiration date. There are eligibility requirements. You must discuss with the DSO.
  • If you complete your program sooner than your program end date, submit a Shorten Program request in GPS so that your program end date is valid.
  • To continue at Bryn Mawr in a different academic level (i.e., bachelor’s to master’s), you must also apply for Program Change in GPS. You must verify your admission to the new program and your ability to finance the program. You must be issued a new I-20 indicating your correct academic level.
  • If you are considering transferring to another school in the U.S. consult with International Student and Scholar Advising and your academic dean, before making the decision. If you decide to transfer, submit a SEVIS Transfer request in GPS.

8. Once you have completed your studies and any practical training that is authorized, you must leave the U.S. or change to another immigration status within the appropriate time allowed.

  • If you are in F-1 student status, you are permitted to stay in the U.S. for 60 days after your program end date as a grace period. 
  • You may not be engaged in academic activities, employment, or volunteer work. You may travel and prepare to depart the U.S.​​​​​​​