Notification Transfer
  • Verify that student is in legal F-1 status
  • Issue I-20 and check 3(c); indicate name of previous school
  • Note "Transfer completed on [Date]" on Page 1 and 3 of I-20 and sign; add Admission Number to Page 1 and 3 of I-20.
  • Send Page 1 of I-20 to London, KY
  • Give Pages 2, 3 and 4 to student with previous I-20s
  • Send photocopy of Processed I-20 to previous school

Note: Student must submit forms to DSO within 15 days after start of classes. Transfer must be processed within 45 days.

Change of Program

  • Verify that student is in legal F-1 status
  • Issue new I-20 and check Block 3(e) on I-20 (Other) and write "Change of Program from [program] to [program] at same institution"
  • Send Page 1 of I-20 to London, KY
  • Give Pages 2, 3 and 4 to student

Note: Student must submit I-20 to DSO within 15 days after start of new semester. DSO must process change of program within 45 days.

Extension of Program (Same Degree)

  • Verify that student is in legal F-1 status
  • Verify that student has legitimate reason for needing extension.
  • Issue new I-20 and check Block 3(e) on I-20 (Other) and write "Program Extension;" update ending date in Item 5
  • Complete I-538; on back write "Pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(f)(7)(iii) program extension is granted;" sign and date
  • Send I-538 and Page 1 of I-20 to London, KY
  • Give Pages 2, 3 and 4 of I-20 to student

Note: Extension must be processed in the 30-day period before old I-20 expires. There is no grace period!

Optional Practical Training

  • Verify that student is in legal F-1 status
  • Complete I-538 and check section A
  • On Page 4 of most recent I-20, write "Optional Practical Training recommended in [field] for [number] months from [date] or from date of adjudication whichever is later;" sign, add title and date
  • Return I-20 to student
  • Send I-538 to London, KY
  • Send to INS Service Center: I-765, signature card, photos, fees, copy of endorsed I-20, copy of I-94, copy of I-538

Curricular Practical Training
  • Verify that student is in legal F-1 status
  • Verify that student and job meet eligibility requirements for CPT
  • Complete I-538; check Section A
  • On the back of I-538 and on Page 4 of most recent I-20 write "[Full-time / Part-time] Curricular Practical Training authorized with [employer] at [location] from [date] to [date]"; sign and date
  • Return I-20 to student
  • Send I-538 to London, KY

Economic Hardship EAD
  • Verify that student is in legal F-1 status
  • Complete I-538; write "Severe economic hardship work authorization recommended in accordance with 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(C) until [date]."
  • Send to INS Service Center: I-765,signature card, fee, photos, copy of I-20, copy of I-94, I-538, and detailed documentation of economic hardship

Reinstatement
  • Issue new I-20 for reinstatement
  • Send to District INS office: I-20 (Pages 1-4), I-539, filing fee, financial documentation, I-94 (original), letter from student explaining reasons for being out of status (Recommended: letter of support from DSO); write "REINSTATEMENT" at top of I-539.

Special Student Relief (On-Campus)
  • Verify that student is in legal F-1 status
  • Verify that student meets eligibility for SSR
  • On Page 4 of most recent I-20 write "Approved for more than 20 hours per week of on-campus employment under the Special Student Relief authorization from [date] to [date]"
  • Return I-20 to student

Special Student Relief (Off-Campus)
  • Verify that student is in legal F-1 status
  • Verify that student meets eligibility requirements for SSR
  • On Page 4 of most recent I-20 write "Special Student recommended from [date] to [date]".;sign and date
  • Complete I-538
  • On back of I-538, write "The student's means of financial support, as documented on I-20 is from [country]. If the student cannot carry a full load course of study as a result of the acceptance of employment, the student will be registered, for the duration of [his/her] authorized employment, for a minimum of [3 or 6] [semester or quarter] hours of instruction per academic term. The off-campus employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship to the individual caused by the economic crisis taking place in [country]." Sign and date front and back of I-538 signature on the back must be notarized!
  • Send to INS Service Center: I-765, signature card, fee (unless requesting waiver), photos, I-538 with notarized section face-up, copy of endorsed I-20; copy of I-94; include cover sheet clearly labeled (large letters) "Expedite application; Special Student Relief;" write "Special Student Relief" on envelope (front, bottom right-hand side)
  • Return I-20 to student