Maintaining F-1 Status while studying in the United States

F-1 students are individually responsible for maintaining their F-1 status. NATI ESL is required under SEVP regulations to report the enrollment activity of  F-1 students. All international students, regardless of visa type, are individually responsible for ensuring that they are in good standing with the U.S. immigration authorities. Students who fail to adhere to the following policies will be advised to apply for reinstatement and may be barred from enrollment until full compliance with SEVP regulations is obtained. (See https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/maintaining-status )

 F-1 international students must comply with the following policies. All required forms can be found in Microsoft Teams student portal:

Report to NATI ESL upon arrival to the United States

Full Course of Study

  • F-1 students must maintain a full course of study. At NATI ESL, full-time enrollment is 18-22 clock hours a week.
  • Online courses do not count towards the hours required for a full course of study.
  • Under certain circumstances, F-1 students may talk to their DSO about enrolling in a reduced course load and still maintain their student status.
    • If an F-1 student is having specified initial academic difficulties, a temporary illness or medical condition, or needs fewer courses than a full course load in their last term to complete the program of study, DSOs may authorize a reduced course load with a doctor’s note from a medically-licensed professional.
    • If you are a student in need of a reduced course, talk with your DSO as soon as possible. You cannot drop below a full course of study unless your DSO approves it and updates your student record in SEVIS.
    • See https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/study/full-course-of-study) 

Updating Personal Information

F-1 students must maintain a valid SEVIS Form I-20; including updating personal, educational, and academic changes such as requests for program extension and/or changes of institution and program.

Maintaining Good Academic Standing

All F-1 students must maintain a status of good academic standing. Students will be evaluated every 25% of the clock hours required for that the course/program of study they are enrolled in according to these criteria: a student must maintain a Cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 2.0 or above to remain in school and be considered in good academic standing at each evaluation point of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the required course/program clock hours. The ESL Program Coordinator may permit a student to retake a failed course. A passing grade on the retaken course would replace the original failed grade.

The school maintains all student progress records. If a student’s cumulative GPA is below a 2.0 at the 25% evaluation point of a course/program clock hours, this means that this student is not meeting the minimum requirement for satisfactory progress and that student will be placed on a warning status.

F-1 students whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 for more than two consecutive terms will be required to apply for reinstatement if sufficient academic progress is not maintained in accordance with NATI ESL Probation, Suspension, and Appeals policy.

F-1 students whose SEVIS record has been terminated cannot enroll in classes until they have applied and submitted all required documentation for reinstatement.

See https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/maintaining-status

Financial Ability

Throughout the duration of your program, you must maintain financial ability. If at any time, your financial situation changes, notify your DSO immediately to discuss your options. Financial information must be up to date (no more than 6 months old)

See: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/prepare/financial-ability

Attendance

Following attendance policies is a requirement of maintaining F-1 status. F-1 students who do not meet attendance requirements may be at risk of administrative withdrawal and, as a result, loss of F-1 status. North America Technical Institute ESL (NATI ESL) records the daily attendance of each student per accreditation agency, state, and federal guidelines.

  • Records of student attendance will be kept on file and available for student review and authorized agencies.
  • Graduation requirements stipulate that the student must be in attendance at least 80% of the instructional time.
  • Excused absences are permitted for illness or any unavoidable hardship and mitigating circumstances beyond the student’s control. NATI ESL determines and approves these circumstances on a case-by-case basis, providing required and legal documentation.
  • Unexcused absenteeism for more than 20 percent of the total course time constitutes cause for dismissal.
  • Unexcused absences are defined as follows
    • Absences where the student has neglected to notify the school and/or has extended beyond the 20 percent allowance without arranging for an official leave of absence.
    • Absences from scheduled exams without notifying the instructor before the scheduled exam time will also be considered as unexcused absences. Therefore, the student is responsible for making up the lost time, classwork, and assignments. Time and lessons missed must be made up to meet the minimum attendance and graduation requirements. Students will need to meet with the Attendance Officer before they can return to class.
    • Students exiting NATI ESL, campus building, during class and instructional time, must sign out upon leaving and back in upon their return. This includes breaks and lunches. Students not signing out/in on the general and individual attendance sheets will be considered cutting class and falsifying attendance records.

Maximum Course Retake Policy

 Students who fail (below 60%) in two courses in two consecutive sessions may be expelled or terminated from the program. Appropriate staff will meet to determine actions of resolution prior to the expulsion of the student. Failure of two courses may affect a student’s immigration status.

Extending your Program

In some cases, you may be eligible to extend your time in the program, if you are unable to complete within the original time frame.

Vacation and Re-Entry

  • Before considering a vacation or break from your program, speak to the NATI ESL DSO.
  • International students are eligible to take two months of vacation per year. Please be aware that missing a session in your current level will interrupt your academic progress.
  • To qualify for a vacation, you must meet the requirements below and submit all the documents with the completed NATI ESL Vacation Request form.
  • Attend classes full-time for three consecutive quarters
  • Plan to return and continue a full-time course of study
  • Show proof of registration for upcoming classes
  • Must complete current level
  • Vacation requests must be submitted two weeks in advance. All vacation plans must be discussed and approved by your International Student Advisor, Mr. Mamoon Wahab, mwahab@nati.edu Once approved, you must be registered for upcoming classes. To qualify for vacation, you must meet the requirements and submit all the documents with the form. I-20 will be signed upon proof of enrollment.
  • See https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/maintaining-status
  • See https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/study/traveling-as-an-international-student

Working in the United States

  • Students who have F-1 status are not permitted to accept employment without proper work authorization. Eligibility to work in the United States is based on very specific requirements. Additional information pertaining to work authorization may be obtained from your DSO.
  • If your DSO knows you are working without permission, they must report it through SEVIS, meaning your SEVIS record will be terminated. That means that you will have to leave the United States immediately, and you may not be allowed to return.
  • See https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/work/working-in-the-united-states

Driving in the United States

Those who wish to operate a vehicle must successfully apply for and receive a driver’s license. Driving a car without a driver’s license is illegal.

Change of Status

Transfer Policy

  • Before initiating any transfer to or from NATI ESL, please contact your DSO.
  • All students transferring to (or from) NATI ESL must receive their new Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status”, contact your new DSO, and register for classes no later than 15 days from the program start date, as listed on your new Form I-20
  • Students in F-1 status that have completed their program and who have not applied for a different program at another institution are required by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to leave the United States within 60 days (about 2 months) of their last date of attendance.
  • See https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/complete/instructions-for-transferring-to-another-school-as-an-f-1-student