The I-20 is an important immigration document, issued by an authorized school (LSUHSC-NO) which makes an individual eligible for F-1/F-2 status. An individual may remain in the U.S. as an F-1 student (or F-2 dependent) for the time it takes the F-1 student complete their course of study, any authorized training and a 60 day grace period to depart the U.S.  The I-20 must remain valid during the entire stay in the U.S. An I-20 must be endorsed by the DSO or PDSO before departing for a trip abroad.Each F-1/F-2 should sign their own I-20 with the exception of minor children whose form may be signed by their F-1 parent. 

A Form I-20 will allow a prospective student (and any dependents) to apply for an entry visa at a United States Consulate abroad or, if visa exempt, admission at a Port of Entry or to request a Change of Status from USCIS.

 Student Transfer to/from LSUHSC

F-1s must receive authorization from the OIS before leaving LSU HSC New Orleans in order to transfer to another institution.

 F-1 students are permitted a 60 day grace period following the program completion date listed on their most recent I-20 or the end date on their Post Completion OPT EAD card. During this 60 day period:

• the student's SEVIS record remains active

• the student is permitted to change their education level (Bachelor's to Master's, Master's to Doctorate) or start another educational program

• the student is permitted to transfer their SEVIS record to another SEVP approved school

• the student may physically remain in the United States in F-1 status,

• the student is permitted to apply for a change of status or Post Completion OPT if eligible.

• the student is NOT permitted to leave the United States and re-enter in F-1 status using expired I-20

  • unless their OPT has been approved, and written job offer and EAD card are in hand.

• the student does NOT have continuing on campus work authorization

  • unless they are changing education levels within LSUHSC.

U.S. federal regulations require all F-1s to report a change of address within 10 days of the address change to the OIS.  The U.S. federal government requires F-1s to report this directly to OIS. OIS is required to provide this and other scholar data to the federal government electronically.  No other university office is authorized by the federal government to process this data, though other offices may also need to be notified of this change.

If a student will remain in the U.S. during the Summer semester but will not attend classes, the student must ensure that an accurate and updated PHYSICAL address remains on file with OIS (If you will stay with friends or family in California for the summer, you must report a physical address to OIS, so that an accurate address is on file at all times!). 

Periodically, F-1s leave the University early or unexpectedly due to a variety of reasons. U.S. federal regulations require F-1s to inform their advisor in the Office of International Services if they plan to leave LSU HSC-New Orleans before the completion date listed on their current I-20 form as well as the reason for doing so. If an F-1 student withdraws from classes or stops attending classes without prior approval from the OIS, this can impact future ability to return to the U.S. as an F-1 student.

F-1s must notify the OIS through their Program Coordinator/School whenever there is a change in their program activity (change in major/minor or education level) or program dates (delayed graduation/early graduation).

F-1s may generally work on campus as graduate assistants or student worker for up to 20 hours per week if enrolled full time and up to 40 hours per week during regular school breaks. All on campus employment is counted in the hour limitations. Thus, a student who is a graduate assistant (50% effort-20 hours) is not eligible for additional student worker hours. Off campus employment, any employment that is required as part of student curriculum (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) must be specifically authorized ahead of time by OIS and/or USCIS.

F-1 Students must apply for an extension through their School's Program Coordinator before their I-20 form expires if they intend to stay at LSU HSC New Orleans past the expiration/completion date on their current form. Any extension that is beyond the normal length of study must include justification.  The F-2 dependents' program duration cannot exceed that of the F-1.

F-1s must receive authorization from the OIS before leaving LSU HSC New Orleans in order to transfer to another institution.

8 CFR 214.2(f)   states "The district director may consider granting the request if the student:

(A) Has not been out of status for more than 5 months at the time of filing the request for reinstatement (or demonstrates that the failure to file within the 5 month period was the result of exceptional circumstances and that the student filed the request for reinstatement as promptly as possible under these exceptional circumstances);

 (B) Does not have a record of repeated or willful violations of Service regulations;

 (C) Is currently pursuing, or intending to pursue, a full course of study in the immediate future at the school which issued the Form I-20;

 (D) Has not engaged in unauthorized employment;

 (E) Is not deportable on any ground other than section 237(a)(1)(B) or (C)(i) of the Act; and

 (F) Establishes to the satisfaction of the Service, by a detailed showing, either that:

 (1) The violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond the student's control. Such circumstances might include serious injury or illness, closure of the institution, a natural disaster, or inadvertence, oversight, or neglect on the part of the DSO, but do not include instances where a pattern of repeated violations or where a willful failure on the part of the student resulted in the need for reinstatement; or

 (2) The violation relates to a reduction in the student's course load that would have been within a DSO's power to authorize, and that failure to approve reinstatement would result in extreme hardship to the student."

While a request for reinstatement is pending with USCIS, the student:

• Must continue a full-time program of study at the school where they are enrolled;

• Must comply with all the requirements for maintaining student status;

• Should NOT travel outside the United States;

• CANNOT work.

If you feel you may meet the requirements for Reinstatement, please schedule an appointment with OIS to discuss your situation.

All foreign national students in F-1 status are required to engage in a full course of study and make normal academic progress in order to be considered "maintaining immigration status."

For Undergraduate Students, Full Time is set at 12 credit hours per semester for Spring and Fall and 6 credit hours for Summer. For Graduate Level Students, Full Time is set at 9 credit hours (including Dissertation Research hours) per semester for Spring and Fall and 6 credit hours for Summer.

Summer Term: Unless required by the specific curriculum or program, foreign national students who have completed one academic year (usually Fall and Spring semester) are not required to enroll for Summer semester (unless required by their program's curriculum structure), provided they are enrolled full time for the next regular semester (Fall).

Any Initial Entry student whose course of study begins in the Summer term is required to enroll in full time credit hours for that semester. Any Initial Entry Student whose course of study at begins in the Spring is required to enroll full time in the following Fall Term in order to maintain their immigration status.

Students who are registered "Exam Only" are considered to be enrolled full time and will be considered to be engaged in a full course of study. "Diploma Only" students are NOT considered full time.

Reduced Course Load (RCL)-Academic

How does Academic Reduced Course Load work?

• Half time enrollment is required when RCL is for Academic reasons.

• RCL for Academic reasons may be approved for ONE semester per education level.(Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate, Professional Certificates) No additional approvals for Academic RCL are permitted, even if previously granted at another institution.

• The student MUST resume their full course of study in the next semester unless it is a non-required Summer semester OR an additional RCL (Medical) is obtained.

What are the Academic Reasons for RCL?

• *Initial difficulty with English (*Only available during a student's first year at LSUHSC New Orleans.)

• *Initial difficulty with Reading requirements (*Only available during a student's first year at LSUHSC New Orleans.)

• Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods

• Improper Course Level Placement

How do I submit a request for Academic RCL?

• Students must submit a written request for an Academic RCL directly to OIS. The request must include:

  • The class(es) including course number and credit hours the student wishes to drop

  • The reason the student wishes to drop the class(es) (One of the above academic reasons)

  • A copy of the student's current enrollment/schedule

  • How the student plans to return to full time status in the next required semester.

    • What classes will be taken, and how many credit hours will be received for each class in order to return the student to full time status

    • If classes will be taken at LSUHSC and another institution to fulfill full time requirements, written confirmation from the non-LSUHSC institution that the student is eligible for the planned classes during the correct semester.

  • Confirmation of the student's understanding that Academic RCL is available only ONCE per education level.

Reduced Course Load (RCL)-Illness or Medical Condition 

How does Reduced Course Load-Illness or Medical Condition work? 

• No enrollment requirement when RCL is for Medical Reasons.

• The student must submit medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist stating that a medical condition or illness makes a reduced course load (or no course load) necessary.

• Medical RCL must be re-authorized EACH semester with new documentation submitted by the student.

• Medical RCL duration cannot exceed 12 months (in aggregate). Once an aggregate 12 months of Medical RCL has been used, no further RCL periods are permitted at the same educational level.

• The medical condition or illness must be the student's. A child or spouse's medical condition or illness does NOT entitle the student to a Medical RCL.

How do I submit a request for Academic RCL?

• Students must submit a written request for a Medical RCL directly to OIS. The request must include:

  • The class(es) including course number and credit hours the student wishes to drop

  • The reason the student wishes to drop the class(es) (Medical Condition with required documentation)

  • A copy of the student's current enrollment/schedule

  • How the student plans to return to full time status in the next required semester.

    • What classes will be taken, and how many credit hours will be received for each class in order to return the student to full time status

    • If classes will be taken at LSUHSC and another institution to fulfill full time requirements, written confirmation from the non-LSUHSC institution that the student is eligible for the planned classes during the correct semester.

An RCL must be requested and approved before the student drops, withdraws or stops attending any class(es) which would result in less than full time enrollment.

Final Semester

Full time enrollment is not required if student is completing their Degree/Program of study in that semester and less than full time hours/enrollment are required for completion.

• No RCL request form is required for the initial "final" semester, but the student's school must verify that they are in their last semester and are expected to graduate.

• A student may not have more than two consecutive "final" semesters with less than full time enrollment.

• If a student does not fulfill graduation requirements following the initial "final" semester at less than full time enrollment, an RCL request form is required for the second "final" semester.

• If the student does not complete their course of study following a second "final" semester, full time enrollment is required in the third semester to maintain immigration status.

Post Completion OPT (F-1 Students ONLY):

F-1 Students authorized for Post-completion OPT have no enrollment requirement.  This does NOT apply to Pre-Completion OPT, where full time enrollment is still required.

 

Normal Academic Progress is generally defined as continued full time enrollment/registration and class attendance toward an educational goal.

A graduate student who has completed all coursework, and is conducting thesis or dissertation research on a full time basis is considered to be making normal academic progress.

A student who has been suspended and is not permitted to enroll or register at LSUHSC is not considered to be making normal academic progress.

A student who is permitted only less than full time enrollment by their school must receive an RCL to be considered continuing normal academic progress.

A student who has requested a timely transfer or change in education level is considered to be maintaining normal academic progress.

Students who will not complete their course of study by the program end date on their I-20 due to suspension are not eligible for an extension of their F-1 program.