F-1 Student Status

To study at The New School in F-1 status, international degree-seeking students are required to pursue a full course of study during the academic year and make normal progress toward completing their course of study. Attending classes is a key aspect of maintaining a full course of study. Failure to maintain a full course load is a violation of your status and will result in severe consequences.

Attendance is key to maintaining not only your F-1 status but also your academic status. Familiarize yourself with The New School's attendance policy and F-1 regulations in order to successfully complete your degree program.

Full-time enrollment for each fall and spring semester is defined as:

• 12 credit-hours for undergraduates
• 9 credit-hours for graduate students; for graduate students working on their thesis or dissertation, 9 equivalency (EQ) credits

Only three online credits or one online (distance learning) course can be applied toward maintaining your full-time enrollment. All other credits must be earned on campus or through a combination of on-campus and online courses.

The following courses do not apply toward full-time enrollment:

• Courses for which a grade of W (withdrawal) or GM (grade missing) has been assigned
• Audited courses
• More than one online (distance learning) course 
• Online courses that are the only ones taken in the final semester of study

Flexibility for international students will terminate at the end of summer 2023.

The guidance issued in March 2020 for the 2022–2023 academic year by the Department of Homeland Security's Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will terminate at the end of summer 2023. This guidance enabled international students to engage in distance learning beyond regulatory limits because of the continuing public health concerns created by COVID-19.

Starting fall 2023, students must return to the standard regulatory limits: Only one 3-credit online class counts toward full-time study of 12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduate students.

We recommend that you review your class schedule and final grades in Degree Works every semester to ensure that you are successfully maintaining your F-1 status and making academic progress.

International undergraduate students are required to enroll in 12 credits every semester; international graduate students must enroll in 9 credits every semester. F-1 regulations permit a few exceptions to this rule. In order to drop below the required number of credits for your degree program, you must complete a Reduced Course Load (RCL) request through iGlobal and receive authorization from ISSS before you stop attending class and drop courses.

Your request will be sent to the academic advisor named on the online form; it must be approved by the advisor before we can review and process it.

Please keep in mind that students are responsible for knowing university policies regarding adding or dropping courses and refund of tuition and fees. Refunds are granted only after the official withdrawal procedure has been completed. Please refer to the Office of Student Accounts' website for information on refund policies and schedule.

Described below are reasons why an international student might request a reduced course load.

Completion of Course of Study in Current Term

Students who are in their final semester of study and need fewer than the required 12 (undergraduate) or 9 (graduate) credits to complete their degree program may complete a Reduced Course Load (RCL) request through iGlobal.

• You may use this exception only once per degree level.
• You must be registered in at least one on-campus course at The New School. 

Concurrent Enrollment at The New School and Another Institution

Students who are enrolled in classes both at The New School and at an SEVP-approved I-20-issuing institution may request a reduced course load at The New School. Enrollment at both institutions must total 12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduate students. Students must complete a Reduced Course Load (RCL) request through iGlobal.

Academic Difficulty

You may request a reduced course load for one of the following reasons:

• Academic difficulty due to improper course-level placement
• Initial difficulty with reading requirements*
• Initial difficulty with the English language*
• Academic difficulty due to lack of familiarity with U.S. teaching methods*

*These reasons are valid only during the first semester of study at The New School.

You may request a reduced course load exception due to academic difficulty only once per degree level. Your academic advisor will determine the type of academic difficulty exception for which you are eligible. If you are not eligible for this exception, we will inform you of the reason for your ineligibility.  To make the request, students must complete the Reduced Course Load (RCL) e-form through iGlobal.

Medical Issues

Students who are experiencing medical, physical, or mental problems affecting their ability to study full-time are advised to speak with ISSS, their academic advisor, and Student Health Services.

Visit ISSS during drop-ins or schedule an appointment through Starfish to find out how withdrawing from a course may affect your immigration status and whether you are eligible for a reduced course load.

You will need to submit a copy of a doctor's letter recommending a reduction in your course load for medical reasons. For more information on what is required in the doctor's letter, begin your Medical Reduced Course Load request in iGlobal.

If you will not have completed your program of study by the end date listed on your I-20, you must request an extension at least 30 days before your I-20 end date.

Common reasons given for extensions include academic changes and medical problems. ISSS processing times for extension requests can be up to 15 business days during peak periods; therefore, we advise you to plan ahead and submit your request early.

• Meet with the academic advisor assigned to you in Starfish to discuss your expected program end date. Your academic advisor must approve the reason for your extension.
• Gather financial documents in English issued within the last six months showing your ability to fund the rest of your program and your living expenses. If your bank document is not in your name, your sponsor will be emailed and asked to complete an electronic affidavit of support form. 
• Complete an extension request through iGlobal and submit the required documents.

We cannot extend your I-20 after the date given on your I-20. Failure to request an extension before your end date will result in violation of your F-1 status and loss of benefits including off-campus employment (CPT and OPT). You will need to regain F-1 status through travel and reentry or reinstatement.

Your change in major will be updated in your university record at the start of the next semester. After the major is updated, ISSS will send you the updated I-20 within 21 days of the start of the semester. Once your I-20 has been updated with the new CIP code, we will send you an email notifying you.

After Degree Completion

If you are a student who has completed a degree and been accepted to a new degree program, you may apply for a change of educational level within the 60-day grace period following the end date of your program.

• Discuss the end date of your current program with the academic advisor assigned to you in Starfish. Your academic advisor will need to confirm the date on which you will complete all degree requirements.
• Gather financial documents in English issued within the last six months showing your ability to fund your new program and living expenses. If your bank document is not in your name, your sponsor will be emailed and asked to complete an affidavit of support. 
• Complete a Change of Educational Level request through iGlobal. 

Students who have received a Change of Educational Level I-20 do not need to apply for a new SEVIS number or pay the SEVIS again, as they will be continuing on their current SEVIS record.

OPT Students

Students who are currently on OPT or are within their 60-month grace period are eligible to request a Change of Educational Level. To submit a request, complete the following steps:

• Select a date to end your OPT. 
• Gather financial documents in English issued within the last six months showing your ability to fund your new program and living expenses. If your bank document is not in your name, your sponsor will be emailed an affidavit of support to complete.
• Complete a Change of Educational Level request.

F-1 students who wish to bring dependents (a spouse and/or child) to the United States may request an F-2 Dependent I-20. 

1. Gather the passport and translated marriage certificate (for a spouse) or birth certificate (for a child) of each dependent. 
2. Gather financial documents in English showing liquid funding issued within the last six months that demonstrates your ability to support your dependent.
   • $9,000 for your first dependent
   • $4,500 for any additional dependents
3. Complete a Dependent F-2 Service Request.
   
   
   

International students are advised to discuss their leave with ISSS and contact their academic advisor to review the immigration and academic implications taking a leave of absence will have for their status as a student before they take a leave of absence.

If you are unable to attend your courses, do not delay in speaking with an international student advisor and your academic advisor. Attendance and full-time enrollment are necessary to maintain your F-1 student status. Failure to attend classes without requesting a leave of absence can have serious consequences for your student status.

To take a leave of absence, please follow these steps:

1. Meet with your academic advisor.
2. Meet with an ISSS advisor.
3. Complete the University Exit Form.
4. Complete the Leave of Absence Request Form.

Personal Leave of Absence

If you will be taking a personal leave of absence, your SEVIS record will be terminated and you will be required to depart from the United States within 15 days.

Medical Leave of Absence

If you are experiencing medical problem, mental or physical, you may request a medical leave of absence and upload a copy of your doctor's letter. Criteria for the doctor's letter is included in the request form.

International students who have taken a leave of absence of less than a semester may qualify for a reactivation of their current SEVIS record and I-20. The benefits of reactivation include keeping a current SEVIS record, not having to pay the SEVIS fee again, and maintaining time accumulated toward off-campus work benefits — Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Common situations include taking a leave of absence for the fall semester and returning for the spring and taking a leave of absence for the spring semester and resuming a course of study in the summer. 

Please follow these steps when you return from a leave of absence:

1. Submit a Return from Leave of Absence request here.
2. Please ensure that your academic advisor approves the program completion form in the Return from Leave of Absence request. This document confirms the expected end date of your program and states that you are permitted to resume your studies at The New School.
3. Gather financial documents in English issued within the last six months showing your ability to fund your new program and living expenses. If your bank document is not in your name, have your sponsor complete an Affidavit of Support. See the Estimated Expenses sheet for your program to find out the amount you must show the ability to cover in order for us to issue you a new I-20 for your new educational level.
4. International students who were on a leave of absence for less than a semester may qualify for a reactivation of their current SEVIS record and I-20.  An international student advisor will contact the government to see whether the record can be reactivated.
5. Once approved, you will receive your updated I-20 by email.

Contact your academic department to discuss your return from a leave of absence and to register for courses. Remember that international students must be enrolled in a full-time course of study (12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduates).

We are happy that you have decided to resume your studies after being away. As you have been gone for more than one semester, you are required to apply for a new SEVIS record and pay the SEVIS fee again. You will not be able to work off campus on CPT or OPT until two academic semesters on this SEVIS record have been completed.

Be sure to contact your academic department to discuss your return from a leave of absence and to register for courses. Remember that international students must be enrolled in a full-time course of study (12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduates).

Please follow these steps when returning from a leave of absence:

1. Submit a Return from Leave of Absence request here.
2. Please ensure that your academic advisor approves the program completion form in the Return from Leave of Absence request. This document confirms the expected end date of your program and states that you are permitted to resume your studies at The New School.
3. Gather financial documents in English issued within the last six months showing your ability to fund your new program and living expenses. If your bank document is not in your name, have your sponsor complete an Affidavit of Support. See the Estimated Expenses sheet for your program to find out the amount you must show the ability to cover in order for us to issue you a new I-20 for your new educational level.
4. Once approved, you will receive an updated I-20 by email.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, if the visa in your passport is still valid, you do not need a new visa, but you do need a new initial attendance I-20.

Students on an approved medical leave of absence are issued a new I-20 with authorization for their leave of absence.

1. Contact the Student Support and Crisis Management office to obtain approval to return to the university after a taking a medical leave of absence. You should have been emailed information by them when you submitted a university exit form for medical reasons.
2. Complete a Return from a Leave of Absence request.

Students who engage in study abroad or research abroad for an academic semester or longer (not including academic break periods such as summer vacations) must inform ISSS of their study or research abroad plans. International students are generally not permitted to be outside of the United States for more than five consecutive months due to the Five Month Rule. If a student is outside of the United States for more than five months, their SEVIS record will be terminated and their F-1 status will end. Students who do research or study abroad may be exempt from this rule by following the instructions below:

1. Consult with your academic advisor or academic department and obtain approval to engage in study or research abroad for a semester or longer
2. Register full-time at The New School during your semester of study or research abroad.
   • Undergraduate students must register for at least 12 credits. Graduate students must register for at least 9 credits.
   • If you are studying abroad in your final semester and need less than a full-time course load to complete your academic program requirements, please submit a Reduced Course Load request for your last semester of study.
3. Complete the appropriate ISSS request form in iGlobal in order to be issued an updated I-20 with study abroad or research abroad remarks. The request form must be submitted every semester that you are engaged in study abroad or research abroad.
   • If engaging in study abroad, complete the Study Abroad request.
   • If engaging in research abroad, complete the Research Abroad request.

You should use the new I-20, which will have an updated travel signature, to re-enter the United States at the end of your semester or year abroad.

Final Semester Reminder
If you are engaging in study abroad or research abroad in the last semester of your academic program and plan to apply for Post-completion OPT, you must return to the United States in F-1 status by the last day of classes of the semester, or you will not be eligible for OPT employment authorization. Your application must be received by USCIS no later than the end of your 60-day grace period.

Visa Reminder
Check the expiration date of your F-1 visa in your passport. If your visa has expired or will expire during your time abroad, you must renew the visa before returning to the United States.

Tax Reminder
If you are studying abroad in the spring semester, keep in mind that you must still meet tax-filing requirements if you were in the United States at any time in the prior calendar year.

International students who have been accepted to another school may request that their SEVIS record be transferred. To be eligible to have a SEVIS record transferred, students must be maintaining your F-1 status by attending all classes or be on Optional Practical Training (OPT) until the record is released to the new institution and then submit a Transfer Out Request. Students in their grace period have 60 days to transfer their SEVIS record to another school.

Current Students

Before making a request to transfer your SEVIS record to another institution, be sure to consult with your academic advisor and an international student advisor. Courses at your new institution must begin within five months of your last date of attendance at The New School or the next available session at your new institution, whichever is sooner.

1. Complete a Transfer-Out Request in iGlobal.
2. Select a transfer release date and attach your acceptance letter and the transfer verification form from your new institution.
3. Complete the University Exit Form through the Request Help button on Starfish. Select "I am considering withdrawing/taking a temporary leave" from the drop-down menu and follow the instructions. If you have recently graduated and are within your 60-day grace period, you are not required to complete the exit form.

Students on Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Your OPT will end automatically once your SEVIS record has been transferred or once you begin studying full-time in a new degree program, whichever is sooner. Courses at your new institution must begin within five months of the OPT end date listed on your EAD card or the next available session at your new institution, whichever is sooner.

1. Complete a Transfer-Out Request in iGlobal.
2. Select a transfer release date and attach your acceptance letter and transfer verification form from your new institution.

Your request will be processed within five to ten business days after submission of a complete request. Once your transfer request is processed, you will receive an email with your transfer verification form.

Once your record is released or transferred, you will be able to request your I-20 from your new institution. At this point, your I-20 from The New School becomes invalid and you will no longer be able be able to reenter the United States with it.