Information for F-1 Students

International Students’ Legal Obligations

An international student bears full responsibility for maintaining F-1 status in keeping with regulations issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). An international student is responsible for finding out, knowing, and following pertinent regulations.

Students familiar with F-1 regulations should find it easy to maintain legal status. If a student falls “out of status” it will be very difficult to reinstate F-1 status with USCIS/DHS.

The best resource at Fairleigh Dickinson University to assist with maintaining student visa status is the Office of International Student Services (ISS). ISS provides reliable and accurate information on the rules that govern student visa status. When regulations change, ISS can explain current and new information. It is important for students to check their FDU email accounts regularly, as ISS will send out important messages about any changes to international student regulations.

F-1 Status Regulations

F-1 students are responsible for learning, understanding, and complying with all laws and regulations set forth by the US Department of Homeland Security. Violation of these laws can seriously affect visa status compliance as well as your academic career. It is extremely important that you read and fully understand all of this information.

The following rules are taken from U.S. Federal regulation 8 CFR 214.3

Full-Time Study

  • Maintain a full course of study each Fall and Spring semester for the duration of your program. FDU Full Time Course Load = 9 credits for Graduate Programs and 12 Credits for Undergraduate Programs
  • Only one hybrid/blended/online course can count toward the full course load requirement each semester.
  • English for Professional Success (EPS) classes do not count toward the full course of study for SEVIS registration.  To maintain a regular full-time course load, 9 graduate or 12 undergraduate credits in addition to any EPS credits will be required.  Students registered for EPS in the first semester can be approved for one semester of Reduced Course load for English Language remediation if the EPS course is counted toward the full-time course load (i.e., 12 undergraduate credits or 9 graduate credits, including EPS). All subsequent semesters require a full course of academic credits that count toward degree completion.
  • Actively attend classes to make academic progress in a degree program. Non-attendance of classes is a violation of status.
  • A full course load is not required to complete the academic program in the final semester.
  • The final program requirement cannot be only an online course if a student is remaining in the United States on F-1 visa status to complete the degree program.

There are limited exceptions to the full course of study rule, and you must obtain permission from ISS before dropping below full-time.  Email ISS@fdu.edu to learn more.

Off-Site Study

All F-1 students are required to complete full-time study at an SEVP approved campus.  Students must attend on-campus in-person coursework to maintain lawful F-1 status.  A student may only take classes at an off-campus location if ISS has given written approval for the off-site course in advance.

If you would like to take an off-campus course, you must meet with an International Student Advisor and gain approval before engaging in any off-campus coursework.

According to University policy, students may not be enrolled in another program at another institution while matriculated at FDU.

SEVIS Record Maintenance

Report Address and Name Changes within 10 days to ISS

ISS is required to provide a valid New Jersey or local US address in proximity to the campus, and other student data to the federal government to register every F-1 student enrolled at the University.  Students are required to report their current local US address to ISS at the start of their academic program, and within 10 days of any change to their address.

Report Changes in Program to ISS

ISS must be notified whenever there is a change in an academic program, program dates or level of study, as these data points are part of an international student’s SEVIS record. For example, if you change your major or change from a Bachelor’s program to a Master’s program, you must be issued a new I-20.

Keep ALL I-20s

You may receive many I-20s throughout your studies in the U.S. (for CPT, OPT, change of major, international travel, transfer, etc.) Never throw any of them away!  You will need all your I-20s to maintain a complete record of your F-1 visa status in the United States.  The US government may ask for any of your previous I-20s, and the University only retains the most current I-20 on file.  Historic document records must be maintained by the student.

International Travel

Travel Signature on I-20

Students must receive a travel signature on page 2 of the most recent I-20 prior to traveling outside the United States. Once the I-20 is signed, the travel signature is valid for 12 months.

Visa Expiration

Your visa is valid for travel up until the expiration date. Once the visa expires, you are not required to receive a new visa if you maintain your F-1 status within the U.S. A valid F-1 visa is only required for re-entry into the U.S.

You should have the following documents to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad:

  • Most recent I-20 with current signature on page 2 by an International Student Advisor
  • Valid passport – valid for at least six months from date of return to US
  • An unexpired F-1 visa in your passport
  • Proof of financial support (sometimes requested at the Port of Entry)
  • Proof of registration for the current or upcoming semester

Employment

F-1 students may work no more than 20 hours per week on campus when classes are in session and full-time during official university breaks (summer and winter breaks) [8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)]. You cannot work off-campus, including unpaid work experiences, without PRIOR authorization from ISS. Off-campus work authorization for an F-1 student must be in the form of Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (Pre or Post Completion OPT), or Severe Economic Hardship. Unauthorized employment will result in the termination of your SEVIS record, which will end your F-1 status immediately.

Program Completion

Upon completion of your academic program, you must do one of the following within 60 days:

  • Depart the United States
  • Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
  • Transfer your SEVIS record to a new school to begin a new program of study
  • Enter a new academic program of study at FDU
  • Apply for a Change of Status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Note the completion date listed on your I-20.

The program end date on your I-20 is an estimated end date. Your actual program ending may extend beyond or end before the end date printed on your I-20.

Graduating before the end date on I-20: Once you complete your program, you will need to take one of the above steps even if you have additional time on your I-20.

Graduating after the end date on I-20: If you cannot complete your studies by the end date listed on your I-20, you must contact ISS before this date to file for an extension of your I-20. Email ISS@fdu.edu to request assistance as soon as you know you will need to extend your program end date.

Supplemental English Language Coursework

While students may have achieved a TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, and/or other English proficiency score required for admission, further development in English proficiency may be necessary to support academic achievement and to ensure effective progress in the student’s chosen academic program.

English language support courses are not permitted to count toward full-time study for SEVIS record registration.

Although at FDU EPS, courses are considered 3 credit courses that can be used toward full-time course registration, they do not count toward full-time study for F-1 visa status.

If you are placed into EPS, you must understand the following rules:

  • If EPS does not count toward your graduation requirements, your EPS course will not count toward full-time study for SEVIS record registration.
  • In your first semester, if you are registered for less than 9 Graduate degree credits or less than 12 Undergraduate degree credits in addition to the EPS Course, you will be approved for a one-semester Reduced Course Load for “English Support.”
  • You may only be approved for a Reduced Course Load for English Support or Academic Difficulty for one semester. Therefore, the only other semester you may be less than full-time is your final semester or for a documented medical issue that must be approved by ISS.
  • If you must retake EPS after your first semester, you must take a full academic course load with 9 credits (Grad) or 12 credits (UG) in addition to EPS.  That is 12 graduate or 15 undergraduate credits at minimum.

1st Semester: Reduced Course Load Condition

6 Graduate Credits   +   EPS   =   Reduced Course Load – Active I-20 record

9 UG Credits    +   EPS   =   Reduced Course Load – Active I-20 record

After 1st Semester: Violation Condition

6 Graduate Credits   +   retake EPS   =   Violation – Terminated I-20 record

9 UG Credits   +   retake EPS   =   Violation – Terminated I-20 record

After 1st Semester: Full-Time Study Condition

9 Graduate Credits   +   EPS   =   Full Time Study – Active I-20 record

12 UG Credits   +   EPS   =   Full Time Study – Active I-20 record

**This information is not exhaustive and may change without notice.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding your legal status in the United States, please make an appointment to meet with an advisor by emailing ISS@fdu.edu or calling 201-692-2743 for assistance. **