►International Enrollment

►Tuition, Fees & Living Expenses

►Housing

►Visa Information

►Maintaining Status

►Health Insurance
 

►Prospective Students

►Current Students

►Parents

►Faculty & Staff

►Alumni

►Online Class Information

24 Saville Avenue
Quincy, MA 02169
617.984.1700

150 Newport Ave Ext.
Quincy, MA 02171

36 Cordage Park
Suite #228
Plymouth, MA 02360
508.747.0400

Maintaining F-1 Status

As you are aware, immigration regulations and reporting for F-1 students have changed significantly over the past few years. All reporting on international students is now done through SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). The following are some important points regarding your responsibilities as an F-1 student.

Full course load (12 credits)
Please be aware that failure to register for and complete at least 12 credits per semester will result in automatic loss of F-1 status. Permission to take less than 12 credits may be granted under very limited circumstances and requires written permission from the Director of International Student Services.

Satisfactory Academic Progress
Another condition of being in F-1 status is that you make satisfactory progress toward your degree. Failing grades will jeopardize your status and may warrant academic suspension or expulsion.

Program Extension
If you are unable to finish your degree program by the program end date indicated on your I-20, you must apply for a program extension no later than 30 days before the program end date. In order to be eligible for extension, you must be in status and provide a recent bank statement showing financial resources available for the remainder of your course of study.

School Transfer
If you wish to transfer to another school, you must inform the International Office of your intent to transfer before you finish the current academic term or within the 60-day grace period following your program end date.

Work Authorization
F-1 students are entitled to a total of 12 months of Optional Practical Training. Pre-completion Optional Practical Training is only available to students who have been full-time in F-1 status for two full semesters (fall and spring). Applications for Post-completion Practical Training must be submitted no later than 30 days before graduation and before the expiration date on your I-20. Limited on-campus employment is available to students who have completed one full semester and are in good academic standing.

Change of Address, Program of Study, Sponsor, and Interruption of Study
If you change your address, program of study, or program sponsor, you must inform the International Office and get an updated I-20. Similarly, if you must leave your program of study for any reason, you must inform the International Office.

Travel
Always travel with a current passport and valid visa. After your initial entry, you must request a revalidation (signature on page three of the I-20) each semester that you plan to travel outside the U.S.

General
Remember that you are obliged to follow all US laws and regulations while in the United States and that, in case of violation of these laws, you are subject to the same penalties as citizens and permanent residents.