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Maintaining F-1 or J-1 Status

It is very important for you to observe the following immigration regulations in order to avoid problems with your student status in the U.S.

Immigration Documents

• Do not let your passport expire. If you are approaching 6 months remaining before your passport expires, contact your home country’s consulate or embassy in the United States. Many countries have consulates right here in Chicago
• Check your I-94 record each time you enter the US. Your I-94 shows that you have legally entered the US and should show that you are in F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor and with permission to remain in the US for D/S (duration of status). . If your record does not show the correct status or does not show D/S, please visit OIP immediately.
• Make sure that your form I-20 or DS-2019 does not expire. If you will not finish your degree before the program completion date on your form I-20 or DS-2019, you must apply for a Program Extension. You should apply at least one month before your I-20 expires.
• Report any changes to your name or address to OIP within 10 days of moving to a new address.
• Notify OIP immediately if you change your academic plans. This includes changing your major, changing your degree level, or leaving before the end date on your form I-20 or DS-2019.
• Your form I-20 must match the university you are attending. If you are transferring to Roosevelt from another school or will transfer to another school after finishing your degree at Roosevelt, your SEVIS record will also need to be transferred.
• If you would like to request immigration documentation for your dependents (children under 18 or a spouse), you should submit a .

Health Insurance

• It is a ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ policy to provide proof of health care insurance for students living in the residence halls, participating in athletic programs, studying in the Pharmacy program or Doctorate of Clinical Psychology program as well as all F-1 and J-1 international students. Visit Student Health Insurance & Health Insurance Policy for more information about enrolling in health insurance as an international student. If you have questions about how health insurance works in the United States, please get in touch with the Office of International Programs. We’re here to help!

Class Schedule and Vacations

• Register full-time during the fall and spring semesters. You are not required to take any classes during the summer sessions.
  • Full-time enrollment for undergraduate students is at least 12 credit hours per semester.
  • Full-time enrollment for graduate students is at least 6 credit hours per semester.
  • Full-time enrollment for CCPA Opera Diploma students is at least 6 credit hours per semester.
• Students are not permitted to take courses at any other institution outside of ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ unless you are granted permission. To discuss your options, please contact international@roosevelt.edu.
• Students are permitted to take one online/remote course per term. This means that they can take either one full semester (16 week) online/remote course or one online/remote course per 8-week term (Term A or Term B). Students may take as many online/remote classes as they wish during the summer term.
• Students are required to attend all their classes to remain compliant with their F-1 or J-1 visa. If a student has an emergency that requires that they miss class, they should get in touch with their professors and the Office of International Programs.
• As an international student, you are granted a specific period of time to complete your degree requirements. You must complete your degree by the completion date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you cannot finish your degree requirements by the estimated program end date, you must request a program extension and have been approved before your current I-20 or DS-2019 expires. Please email international@roosevelt.edu to begin this process.
• If you have changed your Major, added a Major/Minor, or changed the Degree Level (i.e. such as changing from a master’s to doctoral program), your SEVIS record will need to be updated. Please contact your academic advisor to begin this process. You may or may not need an updated I-20 or DS-2019, depending on the change.

Travel

• If you plan to travel internationally, submit a at least 7 business days before your planned travel.
• Travel during your Program
  • If you are planning to travel such that you will miss courses, you will need to request and receive approval from your professors for you to miss class or attend virtually. Plan to travel with the following documents:
    • A travel signature on your valid Form I-20 within the past year
    • Valid Passport & F-1 Visa Stamp
    • SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
    • Evidence of Financial Support
    • Course Registration
  • If you plan to travel during breaks, it is still a good idea to carry all these documents with you in addition to your current course registration. It’s important to make sure you have registered for the next semester ahead of any travel during the summer.
• Traveling during OPT
  • OIP does not recommend traveling after you have submitted your I-765 (OPT application) but before you have been approved for OPT and received your EAD card. If you plan to travel while you’re on OPT, plan to travel with the following documents:
    • A travel signature on your valid Form I-20 within the past six months
    • EAD Card
    • Valid Passport & F-1 Visa Stamp
    • Evidence of Financial Support
    • Form I-797 approving your OPT
    • Job Offer Letter

Employment

• International Students are only permitted to work with authorization from International Programs or from the USCIS. Visit International Student Employment for more information about working.

Register Part-Time: Reduced Course Load

• All F-1 and J-1 international students are required to register full time for every semester or receive permission from OIP for a Reduced Course Load (RCL), which is anything less than full-time registration.
• For undergraduate students a minimum of 12 credits is considered full-time enrollment; for graduate students, a minimum of 9 credits is considered full-time enrollment.
• IMPORTANT: If you register or drop below full-time without OIP permission AND the support of your academic department, you will no longer be compliant with your F-1 or J-1 visa and you will be unable to stay and study in the United States. This will impact your ability to apply for CPT or OPT in the future.
• Who is eligible for a Reduced Course Load?
  • Students in their Final Semester: if it is your final semester before you complete your academic program and you have fewer than full-time credits remaining to finish your degree program, reach out to international@roosevelt.edu
  • Medical Condition/Illness: if you have a medical condition requiring you to take a leave of absence or reduced course load, you will need to submit a request for a Reduced Course Load. However, keep in mind that you will be required to provide documentation from a medical professional confirming the need to drop below full-time or take a leave of absence. Please email international@roosevelt.edu and make sure to also contact your Advisor so that you understand the academic implications of dropping courses and so that this change to your student account can be processed.
  • Academic Challenges: if you are in your first term at Roosevelt and struggling with adapting to your courses or operating in English, you may submit a request for a Reduced Course Load. Please email international@roosevelt.edu and make sure to also contact your Advisor so that you understand the academic implications of dropping courses and so that this change to your student account can be processed.

Transfers

Transfer TO ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ

• If you are currently attending another institution or on OPT from another institution but have been accepted to ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ, we are thrilled to have you attend our institution! You will need your SEVIS record transferred from that institution to Roosevelt.
• Please keep the following steps in mind:
  • Step 1: Receive your admission letter from ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ
  • Step 2: Activate your RU NetID and email – this will ensure you receive all notifications from OIP
  • Step 3: If you are a F-1 student, you will need to contact the DSO at your current institution and request to transfer out of that institution. They may ask you for the following information:
    • ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ SEVIS codes:
      • CHI214F01170000 (Chicago campus)
      • CHI214F01170001 (Schaumburg campus)
      • CHI214F01170003 (Harper College UC campus)
    • ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ DSO contact: This should be the person you’ve been in touch with during your Admissions process. If you have questions about who to indicate here, you can contact intladmissions@roosevelt.edu.
  • Step 4: Complete and email it to intladmissions@roosevelt.edu.

Transfer OUT of ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ

If you are currently attending ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ or you are on OPT from Roosevelt and have been accepted into a program of study at another institution, you will need to have your SEVIS record transferred to that institution.  You must email international@roosevelt.edu if you have questions. The processing time for this request is typically 2-5 business days.

• Step 1: Receive your admissions letter to another institution
• Step 2: Complete