Federal Regulations

U.S. FEDERAL REGULATIONS

MAINTAINING STATUS FOR F-1 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

As a nonimmigrant guest in the U.S., please familiarize yourself with the regulations set by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for your student (F-1) status. Failure to follow these rules could result in dismissal and loss of student status. A designated school official (DSO) in the ISC is required by the U.S. government to enforce these regulations. Your international student advisor (ISA) and your international student advocate are DSOs. If you have any questions or concerns about the regulations, talk with your ISA.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT

Records of international students at Liberty University are maintained on the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and reported to the USCIS. To maintain your student status with the USCIS and comply with Liberty University policies, you must have a valid, nonexpired Form I-20 at all times. Students are admitted for “Duration of Status.” (“D/S” is often written on the stamp inside your passport.) This status is valid for as long as you are a full-time student or until the “Program End Date” on your I-20. If you need additional time to complete your program, you must contact your ISA to apply for an extension of your I-20.

Full-time Enrollment

You must be enrolled full time each fall and spring semester. This means: • Twelve (12) credit hours per semester for undergraduates. • Nine (9) credit hours per semester for graduate students. • Six (6) credit hours per semester for

Ph.D. program students. You must have permission in advance from your ISA to drop below full-time enrollment for any reason. Failure to obtain permission will cause you to fall out of F-1 status. You must also be enrolled full time through the entirety of both fall and spring semesters, and you will be unable to withdraw from a class if it drops you below full-time status. Please note: If you do not attend class, your professor can give you a grade of "FN" (Failure for nonattendance). Receiving an FN impacts your enrollment and can affect your status. You are not required to be enrolled during the summer term. Less than full-time enrollment is permissible during your final semester only after completing the Reduced Course Load (RCL) request form and receiving approval from the ISA prior to beginning your final semester. Full-time enrollment is still required for scholarships to post regardless of RCL approval for the final semester. Only one online class (3 credit hours) may be counted toward your full-time requirement each fall and spring semester. However, once your full-time residential course requirement is met for a given semester, you may take as many online courses as you wish. Keep in mind that there is no summer enrollment requirement, so you can take as many online classes as you wish during the summer semester. (Check credit hour requirements listed to the left.)

Program Extension

If you find that you must extend your stay at Liberty beyond the date specified by the Program End Date on your Form I-20, you must submit an Application for Program Extension to your ISA 30 days before the expected completion date. (Extension of stay will only be approved by the ISA for academic or medical reasons that were unforeseen and not under the control of the student.) Failure to do this will put you out of status with the USCIS.

Passport

Keep your passport valid at all times. You will not be eligible for employment, a Social Security card, or a driver’s license if your passport is expired. To renew a passport, you must contact the nearest embassy of your home country or return home.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT provides employment that is an integral part of your curriculum, including alternate work/study, internships, cooperative education, or any other type of requirement that is offered by sponsoring companies through cooperative agreements with Liberty. (Contact your ISA for more information.) CPT must be authorized for all internships, regardless of whether they are paid or unpaid. Failure to receive

CPT authorization before starting your internship/practicum or off-campus employment is a violation of your F-1 status and could result in your termination.

Social Security Number

You must apply for a Social Security Number to work on or off campus. To apply for a Social Security Number, you must first have a job offer. The Human Resources office will help you apply for a Social Security Number if you are offered employment on campus.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training provides the opportunity for F-1 international students to work in the U.S. following completion of an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. OPT allows up to 12 months of employment authorization in the student’s study area to gain practical experience. Students who graduate in an approved science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) major may apply for an additional 24 months of OPT.

Visa

Your visa may expire with no negative consequences while you are in the United States. However, your F-1 visa can only be renewed outside of the United States. A valid visa is required to enter the U.S.

Travel Outside the U.S.

When you leave the United States for a temporary absence, take your passport and I-20 with you. Make sure your I-20 is signed on the second page by an ISA. The ISA’s signature on Page 2 of the I-20 is valid for one year. We recommend that you also take a copy of your transcript and your student ID card. You always need a valid Student (F-1) Visa to reenter the United States. If your visa has expired, you should include a visit to the U.S. Consulate in your travel plans.

On-campus Employment

You may not work more than a total of 18 hours per week while classes are in session (fall and spring semesters). You may work as many hours as your department allows during summer and whenever school is not in session (e.g., Christmas Break, Fall Break, Spring Break).

Taxes

All international students must file with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by April 15 each year. If you work in the United States, you must complete all required income tax forms for both federal and state reporting of your income after the end of each year. If you were not employed during the previous calendar year, you must file Form 8843 with the IRS.

Transfer to Another School

If you desire to transfer to another school or attend another school following graduation from Liberty University, you must meet with your international student advocate to begin the transfer process.

Dependents

According to new regulations, dependents (spouse and/or children) in F-2 status may apply for a degree program and enroll in residential courses part time. F-2 dependents who would like to study full time and be eligible to receive institutional scholarships must apply for Change of Status to F-1. Dependents on F-2 status may not be employed on or off campus.

Local Address

If you move or live off campus, you must notify your ISA of any address change. Liberty University must maintain a valid address on SEVIS at all times.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY

Liberty University is required by law to notify the USCIS when a student has failed to maintain status, violated immigration laws in any way, changed status, or is no longer attending school. Liberty may refuse admission to students who have not met the USCIS requirements for F-1 status.