INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS

Utah State University

Taggart Student Center 313

LEGAL STATUS REQUIREMENTS

Legal status is defined as obeying all the rules and laws set forth by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The laws for maintaining legal F-1/J-1 status are:

1. FULL COURSE OF STUDY
   Students must complete a full course of credits every quarter while in the United States (*except authorized vacation quarter). Undergraduates (including 2nd BS) must complete a minimum of 12 credits each quarter. Intensive English students must complete a minimum of 20 credits each quarter.
   Graduate students must complete a minimum of 6 credits each quarter until course work is completed. During thesis or dissertation student must be registered for 1 or 3 credits (check with Graduate School).
   Independent Study courses must be completed in the quarter for which the credit is desired. All papers, examinations, etc., must be returned to the Independent Study Office three weeks prior to the end of a quarter to have the grades posted on that quarter's transcript. INS DOES NOT RECOGNIZE AUDIT COURSES.
   INS accepts these exceptions to the full-time student status: a. student is at the end of course work and needs only a few hours. b. student is ill and has a doctor's statement verification. All exceptions must be reviewed and approved by ISS Director. DO NOT REGISTER FOR LESS THAN REQUIRED AMOUNT PRIOR TO TALKING WITH DIRECTOR. Dropping classes below minimum number of hours jeopardizes full-time legal status. (A Not Enough Credits Form must be signed by your advisor and returned to the ISS for final approval. A doctor's statement must accompany the form in case of illness)

   *VACATION QUARTER: All students are eligible for one authorized vacation quarter each year. New students arriving in fall, winter or spring quarter may take a vacation in the first summer quarter if they choose. Most students take vacation in summer quarter. However, students who arrive on a summer quarter I-20 must attend school in that summer quarter and are not eligible for vacation until they have attended three consecutive quarters. When any student takes an authorized vacation quarter, he/she must attend school for the next three consecutive quarters before taking another vacation.

2. PASSPORT
   Passport must be kept valid at all times. Renew passport 3 months before expiration date.

3. I-20 or IAP-66
   I-20 or IAP-66 must not expire (see item #5 on I-20 or item #3 for expiration date of the IAP-66). I-20 and IAP-66 must be extended 30 days prior to the expiration date.

4. CHANGE OF ADDRESS
   INS requires students to report any address changes to International Student Services within 10 days of any change (this even includes moving from one residence hall room to another). A P.O. Box is not an acceptable address.

5. LEAVING THE U.S.
   To leave the United States and return to USU the Director of International Student Services must sign the back of the I-20 or IAP-66 for students and dependents. Upon return, re-entry documents must be presented at the ISS.

6. TRANSFER PROCEDURE
   Students must follow proper procedures for transferring from one school to another. Students must also attend only the school in which they are authorized to attend.

7. EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT
   Follow proper procedures for continuing from one educational level to another (e.g., from the bachelor's to the master's level -- CHECK WITH ISS FOR PROCEDURE)

8. EMPLOYMENT
   Work on or off campus only when authorized with proper permission. On campus authorization must be completed in ISS office. All students must have Social Security card to work. Students must limit employment to no more than 20 hours a week when school is in session and full time during authorized vacation. Graduate research and teaching assistantships are considered on campus work for which authorization from ISS is required.

9. FAILURE TO MAINTAIN STATUS
   Failure to maintain legal student status requires application to INS for reinstatement. Students who are out of status may not work on or off campus and are not eligible for cirricular practical training or optional practical training.