Guidebook / Academic Changes
Table of Contents
The SEVIS record and I-20 reflect key details of an F-1 student鈥檚 program of study and are required to be kept up to date. Some academic changes may simply need to be reported in SEVIS, whereas other academic changes require authorization in SEVIS before pursuing the change. Explore the topics below for important information regarding various program changes and the associated SEVIS processes.聽
Change of Major or Degree Level
You can find your major and degree level information on page one (1) of your I-20, in the 鈥淧rogram of Study鈥� section. The information here is based on the information given in your initial admission application to 缅北禁地. If you change your major or are admitted into a new degree level (for example, you are pursuing your Bachelor鈥檚 degree at Meredith and later are admitted into a Master鈥檚 degree program at Meredith), please notify OIP right away so that your I-20 can be updated accordingly. When a new I-20 is issued for you, do not discard your previous I-20. Keep every I-20 for your immigration records, though only the most recently issued one is needed for travel, etc.
Reduced Course Load (RCL)
While F-1 students are generally required to be enrolled full-time (see 鈥楻equirements for Maintaining F-1鈥� status), federal regulations do outline certain circumstances when the full-time enrollment requirement may be waived and a Reduced Course Load (RCL) can be authorized in SEVIS. These circumstances include:
- If you are medically unable to keep up with a full course load (in this case, you must submit documentation from a licensed medical doctor, psychiatrist, doctor of osteopathy, licensed psychologist, or clinical psychologist recommending the reduced course load). A medical RCL can be authorized for part-time enrollment or even no enrollment for a given semester.聽
- If you are having academic difficulties during your first semester while adjusting to (1) the English language (2) reading requirements or (3) U.S. American teaching methods.聽
- If you have been placed in or advised by your academic advisor to take a course at an improper level.
- If this is your final semester and less than a full course load is needed for you to graduate.
If you are interested in pursuing a RCL, please contact OIP immediately to discuss your plans. If the semester has already begun, note that the RCL must be approved in SEVIS BEFORE you drop below full-time. Also note that dropping below full-time also may have implications for financial aid, health insurance and housing, so it is important to discuss your plans with other offices in addition to OIP.聽
To apply for a Reduced Course Load, please work with your academic advisor (and medical provider, if applicable) to complete OIP鈥檚聽RCL Request Form. Submit your RCL request to OIP and wait for the approval in the form of a new I-20 to drop any classes.
Leave of Absence or Withdrawal
- Speak with your faculty advisor and OIP about the options and implications of withdrawing or taking a leave
- Review Meredith鈥檚 tuition refund schedule, if relevant
- Review Financial Assistance鈥檚 withdrawal policy, if relevant
- Complete Meredith鈥檚 Leave of Absence (or undergrad withdrawal) form
Program Extension
I-20s are issued with a program end date that is an estimation; some students will complete their programs well before the I-20 end date, and other students may need additional time. If you will not be graduating before the program end date listed on your I-20, you will need to request and receive an extension BEFORE your I-20 expires. An I-20 can only be extended before it expires, and the failure to extend your I-20 can greatly jeopardize your F-1 status.
An I-20 Program Extension is easy to do and can be submitted anytime during the semester preceding the expiration date. Please first discuss the extension with your faculty advisor in order to determine eligibility for the extension and a new estimated graduation term. Note that additional enrollment is required in order to extend an I-20. Complete this Program Extension Request form with your faculty advisor, and then submit it to OIP. OIP will review the form, confirm the new estimated graduation term with the Registrar鈥檚 office and then issue you an extended I-20.
Keep in mind that your F-1 visa may expire before the program end date on your new I-20. This is no problem while you are here in the U.S. However, if you plan to travel outside of the US and return after your F-1 visa expires, you will need to apply for a new visa (the Program Extension only updates your I-20; it does not update your visa).
Program Completion
Once you have completed your degree requirements – even if you finish prior to the program end date on your I-20 – your academic program is considered to be completed per F-1 regulations. Upon program completion, F-1 students are granted a 60-day grace period. The grace period may be used to apply for OPT, pursue additional studies by requesting a school transfer or change of level at Meredith, apply to change visa status, and/or depart the U.S.聽
Transferring to Another US School
There is a SEVIS transfer process that F-1 students admitted to a new school may be eligible for, which preserves the student鈥檚 original SEVIS record. Maintaining the same SEVIS record is beneficial because it prevents you from having to pay a new SEVIS fee and it preserves time already in F-1 status, which impacts practical training eligibility.聽
SEVIS transfer eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Currently in valid F-1 status
- Officially admitted to the new school
- SEVIS transfer occurs before the end of any relevant grace period
- Classes at new school begin no more than 5 months after your last day of classes (or OPT) at Meredith
If you meet all eligibility requirements, contact your new school to inquire about any 鈥榯ransfer-in鈥� requirements or paperwork they may need. Then, you鈥檒l need to complete this聽Transfer Out Request Form, which gives Meredith your permission to transfer your SEVIS record on your requested 鈥榯ransfer release date.鈥� The transfer release date is the date your SEVIS record will be electronically transferred to the new school. On this day, the new school will have immediate access to your SEVIS record to begin making your transfer Form I-20. Also, Meredith will no longer have access to your SEVIS record on the Transfer Release Date, and our immigration sponsorship ends. On-campus employment eligibility immediately transfers to the new school, so any employment at Meredith must cease as of this date as well. Please consult with OIP in choosing a transfer release date, as factors such as travel, employment, and other considerations may impact your transfer timing decision.
The transfer request form, along with a copy of your admission letter, should be returned to OIP via email or in person at Lux 124.