Maintaining Your Status

Your Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, is a critical document that serves as proof of your legal presence in the U.S. and your enrollment in a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school like the University of Lynchburg. It allows you to enroll full-time, travel, and apply for certain nonimmigrant benefits.

• Keep Your I-20 Valid: It is extremely important to have a valid I-20 throughout your course of study. Store all copies of your I-20 in a safe place.
• Report Any Changes: You must report any changes to your personal information to your Designated School Official (DSO) in the International Student Support (ISS) office. This includes changes to your:
  • Address
  • Major
  • Educational level
  • Funding sources
• Upon reporting changes, you will receive an updated I-20 reflecting the new information.

• Valid Passport: You are required to maintain a valid passport at all times, valid for at least six months into the future.
• U.S. Visa: While your U.S. visa stamp in your passport may expire during your stay, it is generally not an issue as long as you maintain your F-1 status. However, if you travel outside the U.S. and your visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new visa at a U.S. Consulate in the country you are visiting before you can re-enter. The University cannot guarantee that you will obtain the visa.

To maintain your F-1 status, you must be enrolled full-time during the fall and spring semesters.

• Undergraduate Students: Full-time enrollment is a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, with at least 9 credit hours being in person.
• Graduate Students: Full-time enrollment is a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester, with at least 6 credit hours being in person.
• Dropping Below Full-Time: Dropping below full-time enrollment without prior authorization from a DSO will result in losing your F-1 status. A DSO may authorize exceptions to the full-time enrollment requirement for medical or academic reasons or if you are in your final semester and need fewer credits to complete your program. You must obtain pre-approval from a DSO before dropping below full-time.

If you plan to travel outside the United States, it is crucial to take the following steps to ensure your smooth re-entry:

• Travel Signature: Your I-20 must have a valid travel signature from a DSO, which is generally valid for 12 months from the date of signing. Be sure to get your I-20 signed before your departure. Watch for emails from the ISS team about “I-20 Signing Days”.
• Visa Validity: To re-enter the U.S., ensure you have a valid F-1 visa. If your visa has expired, you will need to renew it while you are abroad.
• Extended Absence: If you are outside the U.S. for more than five months, your F-1 status will be broken, and you will need to obtain a new I-20 before you can return to the University of Lynchburg. An exception to this is if you are participating in a University of Lynchburg-approved study abroad program.
• Carry important documents such as your valid passport, I-20 with a travel signature, and a letter of enrollment verification.

As an F-1 student, your primary purpose in the U.S. is to study. Therefore, there are specific regulations regarding employment:

• On-Campus Employment: You may be eligible to work on campus at the University of Lynchburg for a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session (fall and spring semesters). During official school breaks (like summer), you may be allowed to work up to 40 hours per week.
• Authorization Required: All on-campus employment must be authorized in advance BEFORE you begin working. Contact the Student Employment Coordinator for information on available opportunities and the necessary procedures. You will need a letter of employment verification to apply for a Social Security Number if you don’t already have one.
• Off-Campus Employment: Unauthorized off-campus employment, including paid or unpaid internships without proper authorization, is a serious violation of your F-1 status and is strictly prohibited. Engaging in unauthorized employment can lead to the termination of your SEVIS record and require you to leave the U.S..
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Off-campus employment directly related to your major field of study may be authorized through Curricular Practical Training (CPT). This requires academic advisor verification and approval from International Student Support. You must have the CPT Advisor Form completed prior to beginning employment.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT): After graduation, you may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows you to work in a field directly related to your area of study for a specified period. You must apply for OPT through USCIS.

You are required to report any change of your residence or address to the ISS office (your DSO) within 10 days of the change. This ensures that the University has your current contact information, as required by immigration regulations.

If you need more time to complete your degree program than the end date listed on your I-20, you must apply for a program extension before your I-20 expires. To be eligible for an extension, you must demonstrate that you have maintained your F-1 status and that the delays are due to compelling academic or medical reasons, such as a change in major or unexpected research challenges. Delays due to academic probation or suspension are invalid reasons for a program extension. Contact your academic advisor and a DSO in the ISS office as soon as you realize you may need an extension to discuss the process.

In certain limited circumstances, a DSO may authorize a reduced course load (RCL) for a specific semester. These circumstances typically include:

• Temporary illness or medical condition (requires supporting documentation)
• Academic difficulties (during the first academic year only)
• Completing a course of study (in your final semester)

You must obtain prior written authorization from a DSO before dropping below full-time enrollment. Failure to do so will result in a violation of your F-1 status.

If you are an F-1 student transferring to the University of Lynchburg from another U.S. educational institution, you need to follow a specific process to transfer your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record:

1. Acceptance: First, you must be accepted to the University of Lynchburg through the regular admissions process.
2. Inform Your Current DSO: Once accepted, contact your current DSO at your previous institution to inform them of your intention to transfer to the University of Lynchburg. Provide them with a copy of your acceptance letter.
3. Complete the Transfer Eligibility Form: You will need to complete the University of Lynchburg Transfer Eligibility Form and have your current DSO complete the second half. Return the completed form to International Student Support at the University of Lynchburg.
4. Transfer Release Date: Discuss your transfer release date with your current DSO. This is usually the last day of your session at your previous school, and it’s when your SEVIS record will be released.
5. New I-20 from Lynchburg: Once the University of Lynchburg has received your admissions documents and deposit and your SEVIS record has been released, the University of Lynchburg will issue you a new Form I-20 with our program information.

Maintaining your F-1 status is a shared responsibility. By understanding and adhering to these regulations, you can ensure a successful and enriching academic experience at the University of Lynchburg. If you have any questions or need clarification on any of these points, please do not hesitate to contact the International Student Support team. We are here to help you!