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Are You an International Student in F-1 Status Completing Your Academic Program Fall 2020? Here are some important reminders.

Let ISSS Know!

  • If you are graduating this semester: Email ISSS as soon as possible to let us know you intend to graduate.
  • If you plan to defend your dissertation or thesis prior to the start of the Spring 2021 term: Email ISSS as soon as possible so that ISSS can provide important information regarding your F-1 status.

Your I-20 End Date Will Be Shortened

Did you know that your F-1 status is either based on continuing enrollment or on OPT? 

  • If you are completing your studies this semester, and that includes defending your thesis or dissertation before the start of the next term, then the academic program end date on your I-20 will be shortened to 12/13/2020. 
  • Students who have satisfied all requirements for the completion of their program cannot continue to be enrolled for administrative purposes.  For example, students who have successfully defended their thesis or dissertation need not enroll in subsequent terms, therefore future enrollment would be considered enrollment for administrative purposes only.  Students who have completed all of the requirements for their degree but continue to be enrolled to take classes in preparation for graduate school or for the completion of a certificate are considered enrolled for administrative purposes.

Work Authorization On and Off-Campus

Your ability to work in the U.S. is based on your continued enrollment or on OPT.

  • Any on-campus employment (including teaching and research assistantships) or off-campus work authorization (e.g., curricular practical training) will end on the last day of the semester, 12/13/2020.
  • You will not be able to work in the U.S. at all after 12/13/2020 unless you apply for OPT, your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) is in your hand and it is within the work authorization period indicated on the card. 

Applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

If you are graduating or defending and are interested in applying for Optional Practical Training, then you must apply for OPT before the end of your 60-day grace period.

  • For Fall 2020 graduates, the 60-day grace period ends 60 days after the semester end date of 12/13/2020.
  • ISSS recommends you apply for OPT as close to 90 days prior to your F-1 program completion date as possible in order to ensure you receive the OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card in a timely manner.

Please look at our OPT webpage and after reviewing, feel free to stop in for a remote advising session.

Congratulations and good luck to our Fall 2020 graduates!

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