1. Attendance & Class Participation
   

• Maintain at least 80% attendance at all times. Confirm your program schedule.
• Frequent tardiness or absences may affect your visa status.
• If you miss two consecutive weeks without approval, you may be dismissed and your SEVIS record terminated.
• For illness, travel, or other reasons, you must receive official approval from the school office in advance.

2. Academics & Grades
   

• Submit all required assignments and tests to complete your course.
• Poor academic performance may be considered “unsatisfactory” and reported in SEVIS.
• If you face difficulties in your studies, consult your teachers or staff promptly.

3. SEVIS & Visa Status
   

• Always check your program end date (I-20 End Date) yourself.

• Maintaining F-1 status is the student’s responsibility.

• If your I-20 is nearing expiration, consult your DSO early about an extension.
  Program extension must be completed before the program end date.

If more than 15 days pass after your program end date, you cannot continue your program at this school and must transfer to another institution.

• Maintain full-time enrollment (normally 18+ hours per week).
• For transfer, leave of absence, or withdrawal, you must consult your DSO in advance.
• Report any address change within 10 days so SEVIS can be updated.

⚠️ Important: DHS Proposal to End “D/S”

In the future, I-94 may no longer show “D/S” but instead a specific expiration date.

After re-entry, you may receive a date-specific I-94 instead of D/S.

4. I-20, Passport & Visa Management

• Always keep a valid I-20 (request reissue if lost).

5. Grace Period 

• After program completion, you may have a 60-day grace period (if requirements are met).
• During this period, you must transfer, change status, or depart the U.S.
• If you withdraw or your SEVIS record is terminated, no grace period applies → immediate departure required.

6. Employment

• On-campus work is generally allowed, but requires prior school approval.
• Off-campus work (CPT/OPT) is not available in this program.
• Unauthorized employment will result in immediate termination of your SEVIS record and loss of F-1 status.

7. Vacation & Travel 

• To take vacation, you must meet requirements (normally after completing 26 weeks of classes).
• For international travel, your I-20 must have a DSO travel endorsement on page 2.
  • You must check yourself that the travel signature is valid.
• Always carry valid passport, visa, and I-20 when traveling abroad.

8. Health Insurance & Medical Care 

• Enrollment in student health insurance is strongly recommended (U.S. medical costs are extremely high).

• Without insurance, illness or accidents may cause serious financial difficulty and affect your stay.

9. Laws & Daily Life 

• Underage drinking (under 21) or drunk driving will lead to immediate termination of F-1 status.
• Marijuana is illegal under federal law even if legal in some states → may cause visa cancellation.
• Any criminal record can affect your re-entry or visa renewal.

10. Communication & Contact 

• Always check emails and school notices.
• Checking email is the student’s responsibility. Missing information may cause visa violations.
• If you have problems, always contact your DSO or school staff.
• Keep emergency contact numbers (school, police, hospital) with you.