Frequently Asked Questions

IMMIGRATION

My visa has expired, can I still stay in the US?

Yes, as long as your I-20 is still valid and you maintain your immigration status.

My visa has expired; can I travel to another country?

You will need a valid visa to return to the US.

Can I renew my visa in the US?

No, you cannot renew your visa while you are still in the US. This can only be done in another country, especially your home country.

My I-20 will expire soon. What do I need to do to extend it, and when?

Please submit your extension request to the International Student Services (ISS) office immediately. Detailed information on extending your I-20 can be found HERE.

My I-20 has expired, what do I need to do?

If your I-20 has been expired for no more than 5 months, you will need to apply with the Department of Homeland Security for reinstatement. You will need a new I-20 for the reinstatement process, so please bring a copy of your financial documentation showing a minimum of $23,000 to the International Student Services office so we can review your enrollment records and issue you a new I-20.

I am an undergraduate student. What does it mean to maintain full-time status?

You must be registered for at least 12 credit hours and must attend at least 9 credit hours.

I am a graduate student. What does it mean to maintain full-time status?

You must be registered for at least 9 credit hours and must attend at least 6 credit hours.

I am a graduate assistant/research assistant, what is my full-time study requirement?

You must attend 6 graduate credit hours. However, doctoral students should verify whether they are only permitted to attend 6 credit hours.

If I take undergraduate courses along with graduate courses, what is the full-time requirement?

You must attend 12 credit hours if taking both undergraduate and graduate courses.

I am taking 12 credit hours of undergraduate courses, but I need to drop 3 hours because I am failing. Can I do that?

No, you must maintain a minimum of 12 credit hours. We will cancel immigration records when a student fails to maintain status due to not meeting the minimum required hours.

EMPLOYMENT

Can I work on campus?

Yes, you can work up to 20 hours/week while classes are in session, and 28 hours/week during breaks.

I received an on-campus job offer, what do I need to do next?

Follow these steps: Click here

• Request an Employment Offer Letter.
• Complete the F-1 Acknowledgement Form.
• Bring the letter and form to the International Student Services Center and receive a Social Security Letter.
• Apply for a Social Security Number at the Social Security Office.
• Once you have received your Social Security Number, bring a copy to your workplace.

Note: You may not be permitted to work until you have a Social Security Number.

Can I work off campus?

No, you cannot. Working off campus is against the law, except when working under a CPT or OPT program. You must meet certain requirements to use CPT and OPT.

Can I apply for OPT before graduation? Click here

You can apply for pre-completion OPT. However, keep in mind that employers will count down 365 days until you become eligible for post-completion OPT after graduation.

Can I apply for CPT? Click here

As long as you meet the requirements, you can apply for CPT.

UNDERGRADUATE

I am an undergraduate student and have been placed on Academic Probation; can I still register for regular classes?

Yes, you can register for up to 12 credit hours while on Academic Probation.

What happens if my GPA drops below 2.0 while I am on Academic Probation?

You will be placed on Academic Suspension.

Can I register for classes during my first suspension?

You may register if approved for the “Restart Program.” The Restart Program has registration deadlines and requires mandatory attendance at certain workshops. For more detailed information, please visit here.

I am on my second suspension, what should I do?

You will not be able to attend any classes at A-State for 1 year. You will have the following options:

• Leave the US and re-enroll after 1 year.
• Transfer to a school that accepts your academic standing. Please note that credits from other schools will not be accepted if you wish to return to A-State after 1 year.

I have completed the 1-year break after my second suspension and am ready to return to school. What do I need to do?

Visit HERE to complete the process.

GRADUATE

I am a graduate student and currently on Academic Probation; can I still register for classes?

Yes, you can register for up to 9 credit hours while on probation.

What happens if I receive a “C” grade while on probation?

You will be placed on Academic Suspension.

Can I register for classes while on suspension?

You cannot register for graduate program classes while on suspension.

I am on academic suspension, what do I need to do?

You will not be able to register for classes for 1 semester at A-State. You have the following options:

• Leave the US and return to register after one semester.
• Register as a graduate-status student and take undergraduate-level courses.
• Transfer to a school that accepts your academic standing.

I took a semester off due to suspension and am ready to continue my studies. What do I need to do?

Complete the re-enrollment form HERE and pay the $40 application fee.

I am on my second suspension, what should I do?

You will not be able to attend any classes at A-State for 1 academic year. You have the following options:

• Leave the US and return to register after one semester.
• Register as a graduate-status student and take undergraduate-level courses.
• Transfer to a school that accepts your academic standing.

TRAVEL

Do I need to notify ISS if I leave the US during a break?

Yes, you need to notify ISS and obtain a travel signature from ISS on your I-20 before departing. You should get this signature each time you leave the US.

What should I do if I need to leave campus in the middle of the semester due to a family matter?

If you have a family matter and must leave the US, you will need to follow the withdrawal process. You must complete a form with the Wilson Advising Center and bring a copy of your flight ticket along with your I-20 to ISS.

What do I need to do if I am only returning home for 3 weeks in the middle of the semester due to a family matter?

You need to discuss this with your instructor and obtain approval. Bring a copy of your flight ticket along with your I-20 to ISS. It is the student's responsibility and obligation to obtain the instructor's permission before leaving the country.

I arrived here in January of this year. Can I stay here for the summer without taking a summer session?

No, you cannot. You need to register for summer classes and maintain full-time status. You must complete at least 1 year of study at the school before you are eligible to stay here over the summer.

I arrived here in January of this year; can I return home for the summer?

Yes, if you already have plans to return home. You need to bring a copy of your flight ticket so we can process your departure authorization in SEVIS.

What do I need to do if I want to take a break in the middle of the semester?

You need to make sure you are not attending any classes at that time, then complete the withdrawal process. You need to complete this at the Wilson Advising Center, then bring a copy of your flight ticket along with your I-20 to ISS.

What do I need to do if I want to return to school within 5 months from the date I left the US?

You need to contact ISS 30 days before your flight back to the US so we can submit a SEVIS reactivation request. Reactivation can sometimes take quite a bit of time. Therefore, we may issue a new I-20, but you will need to pay the SEVIS fee for this new one yourself.

OTHER QUESTIONS

How do I obtain an official transcript?

Visit here to learn about the process.

Can I get a copy of my old admission documents and I-20?

No, we do not provide copies of documents to students. You need to carefully keep your original documents to avoid loss or damage. You should keep digital copies of personal documents such as your diploma, transcripts, I-20, passport, visa, etc. in a safe place.

What do I need to do to update my address hold?

Go to the Self-Service page and update your IL address with your current living address. It must be updated every semester even if you have the same address.

What is a Bad Address?

Bad Address means the address has not been verified. You need to update your address with your student account to clear this status.

I don't see any holds, but I still cannot register for classes.

You need to make sure the hold has been removed. However, you may not be able to see this status, as it is updated in the student's account each semester.

Where can I find more information about Health Insurance?

Visit here

How do I submit a request to receive letters: acceptance letter, admission letter, etc.?

Visit here to submit your request