Maintaining F-1 Student Status

As an international student it is your responsibility to ensure you maintain your legal F-1 status. Failure to comply with the laws and regulations governing your F1 visa is a violation of your legal status in the United States and will have serious consequences.

To maintain your F-1 status, you must comply with ALL of the following requirements:

Officially report your arrival to Farmingdale State College through the online check in form within 5 days of the start of classes 

Always study full-time and make normal progress toward your degree

• Students must pursue a full course of study during every academic semester unless approved under a specific exception, in advance.
• Undergraduate students must enroll 12 credit hours per term while graduate students must enroll for 9 credit hours
• Students are not required to enroll during school vacation periods including summer and winter vacation.
  When a student plans to graduate at the end of wintersession or Summer session those terms are then considered a regular semester/term for DHS reporting and registration requirements. Discuss graduation plans with the International office if you will be completing your program during the winter or summer term.   

 Do not exceed online course enrollment limitations

• Only three credits of online course work per semester can count towards the full course of study requirement.
• If the student only needs one course to complete the program of study that course cannot be fully online.
  Examples:
  If 12 credits are required, 9 credits must be in-person.
  If 6 credits are required, 3 credits must be in-person.

Maintain a valid and accurate I-20

• The I-20 identifies you as a student at FSC so keep your I-20 valid at all times.
• If any information on the form changes (name, address, major, program end date) notify the International Office within 10 days of the change so that your SEVIS record can be updated.
• Changes in personal information must be reported to the registrar’s office as well.
• Keep your original I-20s indefinitely.

Maintain a valid passport while you are inside the U.S.

• Your passport is your legal form of identification in the U.S.
• Keep your passport valid at least 6 months into the future.

Keep your I-94 admission number/record valid

• This document is proof of your legal F-1 status in the U.S.

Never work off-campus unless authorized by the USCIS and/or DSO 

• Employment opportunities for international students in the U.S. are restricted by law and fall into two types of employment: On-campus employment and Off-campus employment. Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and that you apply for the required authorization before you begin working.

Don't work on campus for more than 20 hours per week during the Fall or Spring semesters.

Comply with all reporting requirements if approved for Post-Completion OPT or the 24-Month OPT STEM Extension

Comply with all of U.S. federal and state laws

Comply with all Farmingdale State college academic and conduct policies.

• Click here to research FSC policies.

 

Resource:
Review the information provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the Study in the States website regarding maintaining F-1 status.