MAINTAINING F-1 STATUS
STAYING “IN STATUS”
You can stay in status by attending classes regularly (not more than 10 absences a quarter) and by making
progress in the program (not failing a class more than one time). To maintain your F-1 status, you must:
Attend classes regularly and make satisfactory progress
Report all address changes to the IELP office WITHIN TEN DAYS of moving. (We will then update
your address in SEVIS.)
Be sure your I-20 is signed and valid before you leave the country if you plan to re-enter the U.S. for
study in our IELP! The signature on page 3 of the I-20 is good for six (6) months as long as your I-20 is
not expired and you are still a full-time student in our IELP.
Check the program end date on page 1, Section #5. If your I-20 will expire before you are finished
studying in IELP, you must make an appointment to see a Student Services and Immigration Advisor to
request an extension of your I-20. You will need to bring the Student Services and Immigration Advisor
an updated bank statement (from within the past 6 months) or valid financial guarantee from your sponsor
showing you have enough funds to cover the period of time you wish to extend your I-20. Your I-20
must be extended BEFORE the program end date. Your I-20 will become invalid after the program end
date has passed. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP YOUR I-20 UP TO DATE!
Do not wait until the last week of the quarter to ask for an extension of your I-20!