Embedded Files
Immigration regulations and processes are constantly changing. Make sure that you contact the Center for Global Engagement regularly to find out about these changes.
Important documents
Passport: make sure your passport is valid for at least six months at all times. This is issued by your home country. It can often be renewed from your Embassy here in the USA.
I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record): You can access your arrival/departure record online at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
I-20: This is the document that allows you to study in the U.S.A. (at Maryville College) as an F-1 student. This document is issued by Maryville College, and you will need it for your appointment at the embassy, to enter the U.S.A. and to maintain your status in the U.S.A. It also tells you how long you are able to stay in the USA (Program End Date + 60 days after completion)
DS-2019: This is the document that allows you to study in the U.S.A. (at Maryville College) as a J-1 student. This document is issued by Maryville College, and you will need it for your appointment at the embassy, to enter the U.S.A. and to maintain your status in the U.S.A. It also tells you how long you are able to stay in the USA (Program End Date + 30 days after completion)
Entry visa (colorful stamp in passport): This document allows you to enter the United States. This is issued at a U.S. Embassy abroad. The expiry date is not the date you have to leave the US, only the last possible date you can ENTER on that entry visa. Your I-20 or DS-2019 tells you how long you can remain.
Maintenance of F1 Status
Please note that the following is YOUR responsibility to maintain F-1 student status in the U.S.A.
MAINTAIN UNEXPIRED IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS:
You must maintain an unexpired passport at all times
Your passport should be valid at least six months into the future
Contact your country's embassy to get your passport renewed if your passport will expire in the near future
You must have a valid, unexpired Form I-20 from Maryville College that correctly reflects your program objective (e.g., bachelor's degree) and major (e.g., biology)
Contact the Center for Global Engagement if your degree objective and/or major has changed
Attend authorized school (Maryville College)
Maintain full-time enrollment every required term (in most cases, fall and spring semesters)
Minimum 12 credits each semester
You may take summers as a vacation, unless full-time enrollment is required by your program
You may count only one online class toward your full-time enrollment requirement
You must not withdraw from a course without first getting authorization from a CGE advisor, if withdrawing will cause you to drop below full-time.
An unauthorized drop below full-time status will lead to termination of your F-1 student status
You may request a reduced course load (part-time or no study) in certain situations, but the reduced course load request must be approved by the Center for Global Engagement before dropping below full-time enrollment
Make normal academic progress towards completion of program
You must maintain satisfactory academic standing and make normal, full-time progress toward reaching your degree or educational objective
Keep continuity in program of study (no absences for more than five months)
Do not accept employment without authorization from the CGE
See below links for employment that may be authorized
If you want to work off-campus, you must first get authorization from either the Center for Global Engagement or the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)
Working without authorization is considered a serious violation of immigration status and may require you to leave the US
Get travel authorization prior to departure and return to U.S.A. in proper F-1 status (bring I-20 with copy of unofficial transcript to International House for travel signature)
File timely requests for extension of stay, change of status, transfer, OPT and other benefits
Obey all state and federal laws
REPORT ANY CHANGES IN WRITING to a Designated School Official - DSO - within ten (10) days of the change
Report any change of address (including room change from A to B)
Report changes to major or minor
Report add/drop/withdrawal from courses (Actually talk with us first!)
Report changes in possible program end date
Report desire to take an online class (students are limited to a maximum of 3 credits as part of full-time courseload and this must be approved. Different requirements for summer and final semester)
Depart the US or take other steps to maintain your status before the end of your 'grace period'
Once you complete your program objective, you have a grace period of sixty (60) days in which you are allowed to prepare for departure from the US
The grace period starts the day after you have completed your degree requirements (i.e., once you finish your required academic work and qualify for graduation - regardless of your actual graduation date)
The grace period ends once you leave the US or by the end of the 60th day, whichever comes first
You may also pursue other immigration options during the grace period, such as applying for post-completion Optional Practical Training or requesting an F-1 transfer to another school
The 60-day grace period is available only when you complete your original degree objective
The grace period is intended only to give you time to prepare for departure - it does not give you extra time to continue working in the US or studying.
Enrollment Requirements
Be registered full-time for each academic semester as defined by USCIS:
For undergraduate students:
at least 12 credits per academic semester (fall and spring semesters),
Maximum 3 credits/semester online enrollment (see more details in next session):
Undergraduate: 9 credits on campus + only 3 credits online = 12 credits
NOTE: You are not required to be registered for classes during the summer unless you have been admitted to MC for the summer term or completing degree by end of summer term.
NOTE: Course formats labeled ONL, RTV, HBA, HBS are considered online classes
FINAL TERM ENROLLMENT (INCLUDING SUMMER SESSIONS)
The requirements below need to be met whether your final term is in the Spring, Fall or in the Summer. During your final semester, you need to:
Register in the credits needed to graduate. If you are registering in fewer than full-time credits, please request a Reduced Courseload from the CGE prior to the start of the term.
Students must enroll in at least one course that requires on-campus/physical presence at MC throughout the entire semester
If you plan to graduate in the summer, you must still be registered for credits that require on-campus/physical presence in the summer for the entire semester; enrolling in only online credits is not permitted.
Online Courses
U.S. federal regulations restrict F-1 and J-1 enrollment in online courses during academic terms.
For F-1 students enrolled in classes for credit, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits per semester may be counted if taken online or through distance education. An online or distance education course is a course that is offered principally through the use of television, audio, or computer transmission including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, or satellite, audio conferencing, or computer conferencing. (ONL, RTV, HBA, HBS)
J-1 students are restricted from taking any online courses as part of their normative full-time courseload. Students who wish to take an online course over and above their full-time requirement must receive approval from their program sponsor.
Immigration Guidelines:
An F-1 student is limited to only one online or distance education course that can be counted towards a full-time courseload. Once having met the full-time requirement, a student may add as many distance education or online courses as he or she wishes.
F-1 students may take one (three credit) online course as part of their normative full-time courseload. (3 credits of 12 credits)
F-1 students may take online courses over and above their full-time credit requirement. (Over 12 credits)
An online course cannot be a student’s only course in the final semester of study.
In other words, students approved for a part-time (reduced courseload) final semester must take at least one ‘traditional’ course with regular in-person meetings for the entire duration of the term.
Summer enrollment is subject to the online course restrictions if summer is a required term (or is the first or last semester) of a student’s academic program.
Student’s for whom summer is not a required term may enroll in summer online courses (as permitted by their academic program and with permission of the CGE). [this is the case for most MC students]
Students in non-degree summer programs may not enroll in any online courses as part of their full-time study.
For more information or if you are not sure about your situation, please contact the CGE.
Concurrent Enrollment
F-1 students are eligible for simultaneous enrollment with a combination of courses at MC and another college or university, only if approved by the MC Center for Global Engagement. Source: 8CFR:214.2[f][6][iv]
Students must be registered for at least one class at MC during all terms including the final term
Students who wish to be admitted, enroll, and go to classes full time at an institution other than MC need to request a transfer to the new institution.
Eligibility Requirements
An F-1 student at MC may apply to enroll concurrently at MC and another SEVIS-approved school provided that all of the following conditions are met:
The combined credits for which the student is enrolled are the equivalent of a full course of study (i.e., undergraduates = 12 credits).
The student must be enrolled [taking classes] at MC. MC must issue and maintain the SEVIS I-20, handle all SEVIS reporting requirements, and ensure that the student is pursuing a full course of study.
The student has permission from a Center for Global Engagement advisor to concurrently enroll with MC and another institution.
the outside credits must be offered by another US college or university that is also approved to sponsor F-1 international students for academic programs
Course work at the other school may not be avocational and must be accepted as credits transferable to MC. This must be confirmed by a letter from an academic advisor (not a departmental secretary or administrator) at MC.
The course required is not available at Maryville College.
The MC Center for Global Engagement will issue a new I-20 documenting the concurrent enrollment, based on evidence that the student's enrollment in both institutions is the equivalent of a full course of study (i.e., undergraduates = 12 credits).
The name of the other (concurrent) school where you are enrolled must be clearly recorded in the remarks section (page 1, item 9) of your I-20.
How to Apply for Concurrent Enrollment
Concurrent enrollment is approved one term at a time. This procedure must be followed for each term of concurrent enrollment.
f you are interested in taking a class at another college / university, begin by exploring the course options that are being offered. Talk to your academic advisor or advising office about whether they have any recommendations or if the class you want to take is recommended for you. You should also confirm if the credits received can be transferred back to your MC program and counted toward your degree. Do not assume that credits can be transferred back to MC without talking to your academic advisor first.
Once you have decided, in consultation with your academic advisor, that the class is appropriate for you, register for the class. It is up to you, the individual student, to understand and follow the registration, enrollment, billing, and academic policies and procedures of the college or university where you are taking the class.
After you have registered for the class, contact your CGE advisor to inform us of your plans. Provide a copy of your registration schedule. The schedule should show your name, the college / university where you are taking the class, and the number of credits you are taking for the term. The CGE will review your request and determine whether the class can be counted toward your full-time enrollment.
Maintain enrollment in the class as long as it is needed for you to be considered a full-time student. Do not drop the class without talking to the CGE.
Gather the following documents:
Letter from your MC department academic advisor, indicating that you have permission for this enrollment and that the credits earned at the other school will be counted toward your degree at MC. The letter must also indicate the number of credits to be taken at each school.
Proof of registration in classes from the concurrent school, indicating that you are enrolled.
Copy of both pages of your latest I-20.
Copy of paper or print-out of electronic Form I-94.
Copy of your MC unofficial transcript. You may download your unofficial transcript from Self Service.
Make an appointment with the CGE.
The CGE advisor will review your documents and provide an e-mail update regarding the adjudication decision. If approved, you will be issued a new I-20 with concurrent enrollment information included on page 1 in the remarks section. The new I-20 will be available by email in 7-10 business days.
NOTE: A student wishing to be a guest student at another institution for incidental courses while maintaining full-time enrollment or during the May/Summer term does not need to be issued an I-20 for concurrent enrollment.
Guest Student
Study at another school during annual vacation
An F-1 student may attend another school as a recreational activity during an authorized vacation period (spring/summer term) without transferring his or her SEVIS record provided he or she is eligible and intends to register for the next term at the authorized school. If the student's address will change during the summer, it must be updated in SEVIS.
Student must be enrolled full-time in the fall semester at MC
Student must provide documentation of the program to the Center for Global Engagement
Student must receive a letter of permission from the CGE that documents the opportunity is a recreational activity during an authorized vacation period (May/summer term) .
Note: if a student wishes to enroll for credit, concurrent authorization is required.
Travel Authorization
If you are planning to travel outside the U.S., please remember to do the following before you leave:
1. Determine if you will need a visa for countries other than your own.
2. Obtain a travel authorization signature from the Center for Global Engagement
3. Check your passport validity.
4. Check your visa validity.
Required Documents for Re-Entry
When returning to the U.S.A. (absences less than five months) you should carry the following documents:
Valid Passport
Valid F-1 orJ-1 visa stamp, except for short trips to Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands
Valid I-20 or DS-2019 with travel authorization signature from the Center for Global Engagement
Evidence of adequate finances
Business card of Center for Global Engagement Staff
Copy of your transcript and current course schedule (optional but recommended)
Maryville College student ID card (optional but recommended)
If you want to travel outside the United States, please make a Travel Authorization Appointment with a Center for Global Engagement Advisor.
Need to renew your entry visa?
If you do not plan on leaving the United States, it is ok if your entry visa end dates passes. Your I-20 or DS-2019 is what tells you when you must leave. If you otherwise would not be leaving the US, you do not have to plan to leave just to renew it.
However, if you plan to leave the United States and return after your entry visa (the sticker in your passport) expires, then you will need to make plans to renew your visa before you can re-enter the United States. It is important to plan ahead because there is often a wait time to get an appointment.
Employment
International Students - particularly F-1 international students, sponsored by Maryville College - have access to different options for employment while a student.
Visit these pages for more information:
F1 Reduced Course Load
International students are required to be enrolled FULL-TIME. At Maryville College this means that you are ACTIVELY enrolled in at least 12 credits during the fall and spring terms. ACTIVELY means that you can not withdraw from a course (W) if it will put you below 12 credits.
There are a few reasons that will allow us to approve Reduced Courseload for an international student. It is important that you come talk with us at the International House if you think you might be eligible.
Here are a list of some possible reasons you might be approved for Reduced Courseload:
Illness or Medical Condition
Cannot exceed 12 month aggregate per program level
May excuse a student from all classes
Student must provide medical documentation from a licensed physician or Psychologist.
Academic Difficulties, including:
Improper course level placement
Initial difficulty with the English language
Can only be used for the initial academic term.
Student must maintain a minimum six-credit course load, or half the clock hours required for a full course of study.
Student must begin a full course of study at the next offered term
To Complete Course of Study In Current Term
Used in a student’s final term if he/she can complete the program with fewer classes
Student must be enrolled in at least one required class
F1 Extending Program of Study
An extension of your program can be granted only for documented academic or medical reasons. You may be eligible for an I-20 extension if the following criteria are met:
The delay was caused by documented academic or medical circumstances
You have sufficient financial resources to fund your studies and living expenses
The extension is requested in a timely manner with sufficient time for processing before the current expiration.
The following are not valid reasons for I-20 extensions:
To enroll in extra courses or repeat the same course for personal interest or to improve one’s GPA
To engage in research on or off-campus
To finish pending coursework for an incomplete grade
To engage in non-required Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
To enroll in course work delayed by participation in non-required CPT
An I-20 which has already passed the program end date cannot be extended.
To discuss extending your program, Email a Center for Global Engagement Advisor
F1 Leave of Absence
Unfortunately, the US government does not have a Leave of Absence policy.
Your F-1/J-1 status is based on your full-time enrollment. A Maryville College Leave of Absence (LOA) allows a student to take time off from their academic program. From an immigration standpoint, during a LOA your SEVIS record is terminated (and you must leave the United States) until you are ready to return.
Before Taking a Leave of Absence or Withdrawing
Important Considerations:
If your record is terminated, you cannot remain in the U.S. during your leave. You must leave the U.S.
If your leave is for a documentable medical reason, you can be authorized for a reduced course load based on medical conditions, and your SEVIS record will remain active. You must make an appointment at the I-House to discuss and understand the requirements on this.
You cannot be authorized for work authorization while you are on an official school leave.
If your leave will be more than 5 months (more than 5 months in between enrollments), you will be required to be enrolled full-time for one, full-time academic year before you are eligible for CPT/OPT benefits.
If your leave will be more than 5 months (more than 5 months in between enrollments), you will be required to be enrolled full-time for one, full-time academic year before you are eligible for a vacation or break when you return. For example, if you come back from a leave in Spring, you will be required to be enrolled full time during the following Summer to meet your full-time enrollment requirement.
To discuss a Leave of Absence, Email a CGE Advisor.
F1 Transfer to Another Institution
For information on transferring OUT of Maryville College, please review our TRANSFER OUT to Another University – Info Sheet
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