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End of Semester Guidelines

At the end of each semester there are several things to think about. It is never too early to be prepared! Please read all of the situations below as they apply to you. If you don’t find the answer you need, please make an appointment with an ISO Advisor or send us an email at [email protected].

Will you enroll in courses next semester?

  1. If you have travel plans, please make sure you have a valid travel signature on your I-20.
  2. If you will be taking less than a full course of study next semester (less than 9 credits if you are a graduate student, or less than 12 credits if you are an undergraduate student) you must receive the appropriate authorization:
    • If you will take less than a full course of study next semester because it will be your final semester, or you have an approved reason to take less than a full course of study, then please complete a Reduced Course Load request through ISO Gateway. This request is due to the ISO before the semester starts. 
    • If you are a graduate student who will take less than a full course of study next semester because you will be working on your thesis or dissertation, submit a Full Time Certification request through ISO Gateway. This request is due to the ISO before the semester starts.
    • Unauthorized drops below full-time enrollment will impact your immigration status and may lead to termination of your status.

Will you complete your program this semester and you do not plan to apply for work authorization?  

After your program ends you have a 60-day (F-1) grace period in which you must do one of the following things:

  • Depart the United States,
  • Apply for a change of status to another non-immigrant classification, or
  • Be admitted into another educational program.

If you are graduating early, please notify the ISO so your SEVIS record is updated.  The ISO will be notified of your graduation well into your 60-day grace period and will retroactively shorten your I-20 to reflect graduation.

Will you complete your program this semester and you plan to apply for work authorization?

If you plan to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) then please remember:

  • Your OPT application packet MUST reach the USCIS Service Center no earlier than 90 days before and no later than 60 days after program completion date. This date is generally the last day of the semester.
  • Please review the OPT guidelines.
  • In addition to the 3 months that it might take USCIS to process your work authorization, our office can take up to 10 business days to recommend you (issue you a new I-20) for OPT. Please also take mailing time into account!
  • There are special considerations for students who try to travel while waiting for approval or while on OPT. Please check with an advisor if you plan to travel while you application is pending or during your OPT time. The OPT handout also discusses travel at various stages of the OPT application.
  • There are new reporting responsibilities for students on OPT. Please review these guidelines, as failure to complete the OPT report can impact your F-1 student status.

If you have any questions about anything related to your status here at GW, please visit the ISO.