Actions the Impact the Form I-20

Please scroll down for information on:

• Changing Majors/Fields of Study
• Requesting Program Extension
• Eligibility for Program Extension
• Moving from One Education Level to Another
• Reinstatement to F-1 Status (after a status violation)

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CHANGING MAJORS/FIELDS OF STUDY:

If you change your major, (i.e. from Biology to History) you must obtain a new I-20. You must inform the DSO of The Office of International and Off-Campus Programs and the Summer School that you would like to change your program of study. You must follow the office’s procedures for requesting a new I-20 (with supporting financial documentation). Once you receive your new I-20, you must sign the student certification at Item 11.

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REQUESTING PROGRAM EXTENSION:

If you cannot complete your program of study prior to the completion date listed on your current I-20, you must fill out a PROGRAM EXTENSION FORM and give it to your designated DSO ONE MONTH prior to the expiration of the I-20. Documentation must be submitted in the form of a letter from the student's advisor that provides the following information:

• Description of the compelling valid academic reason/s why the student's program could not be completed within the allotted time.

• Specify an expected date of completion of the student's program
  

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ELIGIBILITY FOR PROGRAM EXTENSION:

• He/She applies to the DSO for the extension prior to the program completion date, the SEVIS record is updated to reflect the extension before the program completion date;

• He/She has "continually maintained status";

• The delay in completion is "caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, such as changes of major or research topics, unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses;" and

• The regulations go on to state that "delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extension".
  

If you are ineligible for a program extension or fail to apply for a program extension prior to the completion date on I-20, you are considered out of status.

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MOVING FROM ONE EDUCATIONAL LEVEL TO ANOTHER:

If you complete one educational level and plan to continue to another at TCNJ (i.e. bachelor's to master's), you must obtain a new I-20 to reflect the change of educational level, which effectively notifies DHS that you are changing educational levels. You must read and understand the CHANGE OF EDUCATIONAL LEVEL/PROGRAM PROCEDURES FOR F-1 STUDENTS and inform your DSO of your program change prior to the end of you current program so that your new Form I-20 can be issued in a timely manner. You must obtain a new I-20 within the 60-day period following completion of the previous level.

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REINSTATEMENT TO F-1 STATUS (after a status violation):
Re-instatement to lawful F-1 status is at the discretion of the USCIS and only under certain conditions.

Conditions for Approval of Re-instatement:

• The student has not been out of status for more than 5 months prior to filing for reinstatement (unless he/she can show that there was an exceptional circumstance that prevented the student from filing during the 5-month period)

• The student does not have a record of repeated offenses

• The student is pursuing, or will be pursuing in the next available term, a full course of study

• The student has not engaged in unauthorized employment

• The student is not deportable on any grounds other than the status violation for which reinstatement is being requested

• The status violation resulted from either:

1. Circumstances beyond the student's control OR
2. Failure to apply in a timely fashion for a reduced course load authorization from the DSO, but only if the violation relates to something that would have been within the DSO's authority to have approved ( if it had been done in a timely manner) and that the student would experience extreme hardship if the application were not approved.
   
   

How to Apply for Re-instatement:

STEP 1:

• Complete the TCNJ REINSTATEMENT APPLICATION FORM and return it to your DSO at the Office of International and Off-Campus Programs and the Summer School.

• Provide the DSO with all the documents necessary to issue a new Form I-20

STEP 2:

• Write a letter of explanation addressed to USCIS, stating the following:

1. why you are out of status (specify the violation)
2. the reason for the status violation
3. how you would be affected by the failure to receive reinstatement
4. a statement that you are currently pursing or are intending to pursue a full course of study
5. specifically request that USCIS reinstate you to F-1 status

STEP 3:

• Complete and sign Form I-539 (Application to Extend Status/Change nonimmigrant status), writing in part 2 item phrase “Reinstatement to F-1 Status”

• Write a check to the order of “Department of Homeland Security” in the amount of the fee for the Form-539
  

REMEMBER, maintaing you F-1 status in the United States is your responsibility. You are expected to know and comply with federal regulatory restrictions relative to your status.