Master of Science in Information Technology

Please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html for information about obtaining an F-1 Visa.

Once you enter the United States as a Alderson Broaddus University student a DSO is here to help you maintain a positive standing with your F-1 student visa.

You must be full-time (6 credit hours for graduate students) each semester. If you have questions regarding enrollment requirements, please contact the DSO.

Your I-20 houses a great deal of information. If you change your local address, change your academic program or change your employer (if you are in CPT or OPT) you must notify the DSO so they can update your I-20.

Contact your home country’s embassy in the U.S. for information about renewing your passport.

F-1 students cannot work without employment authorization from the DSO.

An F-1 student who is unable to meet the program completion date on the Form I-20 may be granted an extension by the DSO if the DSO certifies that the student has continually maintained status and that the delays are caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, such as changes of major or research topics, unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses.
Required documentation:
• A typed and signed explanation from the student explaining why the extension is necessary
• The student’s advisor/instructor must submit an explanation for the extension and the new program end date.
• The student will need to provide current financial documentation showing enough funds to pay tuition and living expenses for themselves and any dependents.
• The student will need to provide proof of the compelling academic or medical reasons.

A grace period is the lapse of time that occurs before or after you start/complete your program of study. Before you begin your program of study: An F-1 student may enter the U.S. initially up to 30 days before, but no later than, the program start date on the I-20. After completing your program of study: The grace period ends when you depart the U.S., or no later than 60 days after the end of the I-20.

Examples of how a student may fail to maintain status that would require reinstatement:
• Failure to complete the I-20 transfer procedure when transferring institutions
• Failure to apply for an extension of program before I-20 expiration
• Failure to complete a full course of study during a given semester
• Failure to properly follow university withdrawal policies

Students who fail to maintain F-1 student status have two options as to how to regain their legal immigration status; application through USCIS/DHS or travel.

OPTION 1: REINSTATEMENT
REINSTATEMENT PROCESS document

OPTION 2: TRAVEL
As an alternative to applying for reinstatement while in the U.S., you may opt to travel and re-enter the U.S. using a new “initial attendance” I-20.
Student may opt to travel and re-enter the U.S. using a new “initial attendance” I-20.
• Get an Initial Form I-20 from the new school.
• The student must exit the United States and return as an initial entry in a new F-1 nonimmigrant status (initial admission).
• A student who chooses this option must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. Once the student has the initial I-20, paid the SEVIS I-901 fee, and admission letter from AB
• Cross any border using their initial I-20 and admission letter
• If this option is chosen and the student successfully regains entry into the U.S. the I-20 status will be active and they will be eligible for CPT.

Risks:
Both reinstatement and re-entry with initial I-20 are risky. If your application for reinstatement is denied, you will be required to depart the U.S. immediately. If you are denied re-entry at the border, you may be required to return home immediately from the port of entry.

This is a type of off-campus work/internship that is directly tied to the student’s program of study and enrollment.
GRADUATE CPT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
• Graduate students can request CPT in their first semester of enrollment, it is an integral part of the student’s graduate studies.
• There is no limit to the number of months a student utilizes part-time CPT.
• If a student completes 12 months (11 months and 29 days) or more of full-time CPT, he or she will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of the number of months he or she has participated in CPT.
The written offer of employment/internship experience must be included with the application. In addition, the offer letter must meet the following requirements:
• Must be written on company letterhead
• Must contain an original signature from an authorized individual from the company
• Be dated within the past six months.
• Students must have a CPT endorsed I-20 in hand before participating in employment.
CPT REQUEST PROCESS:
• Secure a job/internship offer (in writing) in a position directly related to the student’s field of study.
• Complete the CPT Request Form or CPT Renewal Form.
CPT APPLICATIONS:
CPT applications are specific to term and employer. If employment changes OR if a student starts a new program of study a new request is required. Submitting a request for one term does not automatically carry over to the next term even if some request have already been applied, approved, or issued. Please make sure to submit the proper application and/or renewal for each term. It is a student’s responsibility to keep track of employment details and update their DSO. For questions or concerns please contact your assigned DSO by email.