University of Michigan - Flint

Students must be aware of and comply fully with the following:

• You must maintain a valid passport at all times, unless exempt from passport requirements. Your passport can be renewed while in the United States
• You must maintain a valid, unexpired I-20 at all times. This includes correct level and major and correct personal data.
• You must enroll in and attend classes. If you plan on taking a semester off other than spring and summer, you must obtain prior approval from an international advisor.
• You must attend the college/university listed on your I-20 . Prior approval from an international advisor is needed if you plan to take classes at another school (example: Mott Community College). If you dual enroll, you must take the majority of your credits per semester at UM-Flint.
• You must complete a full course of study during normal enrollment periods (fall & winter semesters). Full time is defined as 12 credits per semester for undergraduates, 6 credits per semester for Master’s and DPT students.
• You are only allowed to count 1 on-line course per semester toward your full time status.
• You must be enrolled for your courses by the beginning of each semester.  The International Center is required to report underenrollment to DHS (Department of Homeland Security) within 30 days of the end of the registration period. Any student who is not enrolled will be reported and will be considered out of status.
• If you will not be enrolled full-time, you must receive prior approval from an OISS advisor. You and your academic advisor must complete the Reduce Course Load form and submit it to the International Center prior to dropping below a full course load. Dropping below full-time status options are limited to the following conditions:
  You can only be less than full-time for academic difficulty for one semester per degree. You can be less than full-time for medical reasons for two semesters per degree (12 months) Medical reasons must be substantiated by a medical doctor or a board certified psychologist. You can be less than full-time in your last semester before graduating if you need less than a full course load to graduate.
• You must report any change of address or residence to the International Center and the Registrars Office within 10 days of the change. This information will then be sent electronically to DHS.
• If you change your name, you must report it to the Registrar Office in person and provide legal documentation that reflects the name change. If the name of your dependent changes, pleases report this information to the International Center along with documentation of the name changes.
• You must apply for an extension of your program of study prior to the expiration date on your I-20. F-1 students must complete the I-20 Request Form. Requests for extensions should be submitted 30 days prior to the expiration date of the I-20.
• You must obtain a new I-20 if you change your academic program from one degree level to another (e.g., from Bachelor’s to Master’s level), or one major/field of study to another (e.g., from Business to Physics). You must also obtain a new I-20 if your source of funding changes (e.g. from Scholarship to Parents).
• Prior to traveling outside the U.S. make sure that your I-20 has been endorsed for travel by an international advisor in the last six months. 
• If you wish to bring dependents in F-2 or J-2 status, you may request an I-20 from the International Center.
• You are NOT allowed to work in the United States without authorization. F-1 students are allowed to work on campus up to 20 hours per week when school is in session. Students may be allowed to work off-campus with appropriate authorization. An international advisor can provide you with more information about these employment options.
• If you intend to transfer to another educational institution, you must notify the International Center in advance of this transfer by completing the transfer out form and meeting with an advisor.
• If you need to withdraw from classes, or are asked to leave the university, you must report this to the International Center. If you report to the International Center prior to your withdrawal, you will have 15 days to leave the United States. If you do not report to the International Center, your status ends immediately.
• The normal grace period to remain in the U.S. following degree/program completion is 60 days for F-1 students.

As an F-1 student, you must follow all regulations to stay in status.

Common violations of status include:

• Failure to report to UM-Flint for SEVIS registration
• Failure to enroll for a given academic term
• Failure to make normal progress
• Failure to attend the authorized school
• Failure to complete the transfer out and transfer in process
• Failure to file a timely change of status
• Failure to obtain a program extension prior to the program end date
• Failure to notify an address change in a timely way
• Failure to depart from the USA in a timely matter

Serious Violations of status include:

• Unauthorized employment
• Out of status for more than 5 months, unless you can show exceptional circumstances
• Remaining in the U.S. after ceasing, terminating, or interrupting studies before the completion of your program