Current F-1 Students
Please note: If you have any questions regarding your F-1 status, please contact the appropriate Admissions/Immigration Specialist (DSO) in the International Student Services Office (ISSO):
If your last name begins with
A-L: Contact Rosmarie Fouad at Rosmarie.Fouad@pima.edu
M-Z: Contact Maria Tecson at Maria.Tecson@pima.edu
DSO: Designated School Official. The person(s) familiar with the rules and regulations pertaining to the F-1 student visa requirements and maintenance of status. DSO's are the only ones authorized to sign immigration documents as they relate to the F-1 student status. Current F-1 students must see a DSO in the International Student Services Office for any necessary signatures.
SEVIS: Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. This is an internet-based system created for the schools (Colleges & Universities), USCIS United States Citizenship and Immigration Service under the DHS Department of Homeland Security, and DOS Department of State to receive and transmit information regarding International Students and Exchange Visitors.
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended [20 U.S.C. § 1232g], protects the privacy of all student records. For purposes of the information that Pima Community College is required to report to SEVIS for F-1 students, the provisions of FERPA does not apply.
Current Name and Address
All F-1 students are required to inform the International Student Services Office of their current physical address and/or name changes within 10 days. The local address must indicate their physical residence (No PO Boxes are accepted). Please contact the ISSO by telephone, fax or e-mail to update your student record.
Out Of Status
It is the ultimate responsibility of the student for maintaining legal F-1 status while studying at Pima Community College.
You are out of status if:
- You are not enrolled for courses
- You are not maintaining full-time (12 credits minimum) status
- You are not making satisfactory academic progress as demonstrated by a cumulative GPA below 2.00 ("C")
- You entered the United States using an I-20 issued to you by Pima Community College and did not enroll in courses.
Exemptions from Full-Time Enrollment
Please note:ALL exemptions from enrolling for less-than full-time must be approved by the International Student Advisor and DSO prior to dropping or not enrolling for courses.
- Last Semester. Requests to be less than full-time in the student's final semester if fewer credits are needed to complete the program. The request must be made before the beginning of the semester. Students cannot enroll for administrative purpose and if the student is not required to take additional courses in order to complete their program; student is considered to have completed their program and must take appropriate action to maintain status. (or apply for OPT, change of status or depart from the U.S.
- Illness or Medical Condition. May justify and interruption or reduction in a full course of study. "The condition must be substantiated by a medical documentation by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist."
Students with extenuating circumstances must consult with an advisor in the ISSO before making changes in their schedule.
I-20 End Date & Extensions
Although and F-1 student is admitted to the United States for "duration of status" to complete an academic program, the student must actually complete his or her program before the program completion date indicated in the SEVIS I-20 record. If a student will not complete the academic program by that date, he or she must comply with procedures for program extension.
An F-1 student is eligible for program extension if:
- He or she applies to the DSO for the extension prior to the program completion date
- He or she has "continually maintained status"
- The delay in completion is "caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, such as changes of program or documented illnesses;" and
- The regulations go on to state that "delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extension."
A student who fails to complete his or her program within the time prescribed in the I-20 and cannot meet the eligibility criteria for program extension is considered out of status and must apply for reinstatement with the USCIS.
Reinstatement
You must file for reinstatement with the (USCIS) United States Citizenship and Immigration Services District Director. Please note that there are consequences if your reinstatement is denied. Under current federal regulations, the unlawful presence clock begins as of the date of denial of the reinstatement petition.
Conditions for approval of reinstatement:
- The student has not been out of status for more than 5 months prior to filing for reinstatement
- The student does not have a record of repeated violations
- The student is pursuing, or will in the next available term be pursuing, a full course of study
- The student has not engaged in unauthorized employment
- The student is not deportable on any grounds other than the status violation for which reinstatement is being requested
- The status violation resulted from either:
- Circumstances beyond the student's control; or
- Failure to apply in a timely fashion for less than full time authorization from the DSO, but only if the violation relates to something that would have been within the DSO's authority to have approved, if it had been timely done, and that the student would experience extreme hardship.
If the student's request for reinstatement is not approved, the student may not appeal the decision.
Transfer Students
It is important that if you are transferring to/from another institution to notify our office as soon as possible so that we may help you complete the transfer process in a timely basis. Failure to have your new Form I-20 processed for transfer will jeopardize your student status and make you ineligible for F-1 benefits.
A student who is maintaining status may transfer to another Service approved school. However, a student is not permitted to remain in the United States when transferring between schools or programs unless the student will begin classes at the transfer school or program within 5 months of the program completion date on his or her current I-20 or transfer release date, whichever is earlier. In the case of a student in OPT, the student must be able to resume classes within 5 months of transferring out of the school that recommend OPT or the date the OPT authorization ends, whichever is earlier. An F-1 student not pursuing a full course of study at the school he or she was last authorized to attend is ineligible for school transfer and must apply for reinstatement or depart the country and return as an initial entry with a new F-1 nonimmigrant status. Transfer students must present their new I-20 to their new school within 15 days of the program start date listed on the I-20.
F-1 Employment
Practical Training:May be authorized for an F-1 student who has maintained status and enrolled full time for one full year.
- CPT Curricular Practical Training: The regulations state that curricular practical training must be "an integral part of an established curriculum." They define curricular practical training as "alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school."
- OPT Optional Practical Training: Defined in the regulations as "temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student's major area of study."
Please see a DSO for eligibility requirements and procedures. |
