Maintaining F-1 Status

TEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN YOUR F-1 STATUS

By signing your Sarah Lawrence-issued SEVIS I-20, you have agreed to comply with the terms and conditions of the F-1 (student) visa status [See page #2 of your Form 1-20 for details]. Through the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, and the post-9/11 U.S. PATRIOT ACT of November 2001, USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, formerly known as INS) and the Congress of the U.S. have mandated stricter measures for tracking, and monitoring, international students and their academic progress. These two bodies have established extremely severe penalties (including 3- and 10-year bars from reentering the U.S.) for violating the terms of your visa status. The following are important highlights from the F-1 regulations.

1. KEEPING YOUR PASSSPORT AND FORM I-20 VALID

The normal length of study for your program is 4 years for undergraduates, and 2 years for graduate students. Accordingly, your SEVIS I-20 indicates that you are expected to complete studies not later than a specific date, depending on whether you are an undergraduate or a graduate student. If you are unable to complete your program by the specified date, you must apply for a new I-20 with the Office of Multicultural and International Affairs (OMIA) within 30 days before the original completion date indicated on the form. Your I-20 becomes invalid whenever you cease to be enrolled at Sarah Lawrence. Upon completion of your studies, you are allowed to remain in the U.S. for a 60-day grace period to prepare for departure, or to make an application for a new visa status.

2. USING THE APPROPRIATE SARAH LAWRENCE-ISSUED SEVIS I-20 TO ENTER THE U.S.

When entering the U.S., you must use the Sarah Lawrence-issued SEVIS I-20. “An F-1 student not pursuing a full course of study at the school he or she was last authorized to attend is ineligible for school-transfer and must apply for reinstatement at the USCIS.” – Regulation # CFR214.2 (f)(8)(I).

3. TRANSFERRING TO A DIFFERENT COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

In order to transfer to another school, or to a different educational level at the same institution, you must notify the Designated School Official at both schools/programs of your intent to transfer. The required transfer procedure(s) must be completed within 15 days of enrolling in the new school, or the new program at the same school.

4. LEAVING AND RE-ENTERING THE U.S.

If you wish to leave the U.S. temporarily, you must have your passport, Form I-94 and SEVIS I-20 inspected, updated, and signed by the Designated School Official, or International Student Advisor, to ensure proper re-entry under F-1 status. If it is your purpose, in entering the U.S., to be a full-time student, do not enter under any other visa status, such as “temporary visitor (B-1, B-2, WB or WT).” If you are admitted under a different visa status, you must comply with the terms of that status. Please be aware that the time spent under a different visa status may disrupt your continuing F-1 status, making you ineligible for certain F-1 benefits.

5. MAINTAINING FULL-TIME ENROLLMENT STATUS

You must always maintain a full course of study.

1. Bachelor’s level – 12 weekly credit hours per semester; however, it is recommended that students enroll in a 15-credit per semester program. If you have a legitimate reason for dropping below the required per semester minimum, you must get permission from your Designated International Student Advisor.
2. Master’s level – 12 credit hours per semester; however, it is recommended that students enroll in a 15-credit per semester program. If you have a legitimate reason for dropping below the required per semester minimum, you must get permission from your Designated International Student Advisor.

If you are taking advantage of Mandatory Practical Training placements, or rotations, see your Advisor for approval, as well as for appropriate notation on your existing documents.

6. UNAUTHORIZED EMPLOYMENT

It is a severe violation of your visa status to engage in any type of off-campus employment, required or optional, paid or unpaid, without authorization! Apply for employment authorization at SLC BEFORE you start working. Employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session.

7. VACATION PERIODS

Do not take unauthorized “vacation breaks.” A student who has completed two semesters of study may take a summer vacation if he or she is eligible for, and will register for, and continue studies in, the next term.

8. REPORTING YOUR ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER

Please report changes in your address and/or telephone number to us immediately, so that we can provide you with USCIS and SLC updates and important information pertaining to your stay in the U.S.

9. INSURANCE

You must have health insurance coverage at all times, either Sarah Lawrence’s or a comparable outside plan. Sarah Lawrence College’s insurance provider is Aetna. If you wish to purchase coverage from a company other than that used by Sarah Lawrence College, you must meet the requirements below:

1. The policy must provide medical benefits of at least $50,000 for each accident or illness.
2. A minimum of $10,000 must be available if you are sent home because of serious illness or injury. This will cover travel expenses, etc. The policy must establish, for pre-existing conditions, a waiting period which is considered reasonable in length by industry standards.
3. The policy must provide at least $7,500 in benefits for repatriations (in the case of death, for returning the individual’s body to her/his home country).
4. The policy must be backed by the full credit of your home country’s government, or the company providing the insurance must meet minimum rating requirements established by the USIA (United States Information Agency).

The following are some Insurance plans you may consider:

Sarah Lawrence College’s Health Plan
(SLC’s insurance plan 2006-07)
Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Program
Nationwide Life Insurance Company
Policy Number 302-075-3103
Consolidated Health Plans
195 Stafford Street
Springfield, MA 01104-3503
413-733-4540
800-633-7867
www.consolidatedhealthplan.com

Stephen Flaherty
Account Manager
Compass Benefits
1(800) 767 0169 x21
http://www.compassbenefits.com/

HTH Students
http://www.hthstudents.com/voluntary.cfm

International Educational Insurance Plans
http://www.betins.com/

Kent Corrick & Leandra Preston
K & K Consulting Services Inc
P.O Box 110998
Tacoma, WA 98411-0998
Tel 253-238-6374
Fax 253-238-6382

International Student Insurance.com
http://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/ic_international/index.html

International Student Organization
http://www.isoa.org/

World Class Coverage Plan
www.culturalinsurance.com
River Plaza
9 West Broad Street
Stamford, CT 06902-3788
203-399-5181

10. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE REQUIREMENT

You must report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by the 15th of June following the fiscal year in which you were present in the U.S. as an F-1 student; however, the deadline for students who have received any type of income (wages, scholarships, etc.) during the fiscal year ending December 31st, is April 15th of the following calendar year.