NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
STUDENT GUIDELINES
TO MAINTAIN LEGAL F-1 STATUS
It is extremely important for an F-1 student to maintain his or her status while in the United
States. Failure to maintain the terms and conditions of non-immigrant status is a ground for
removal from the United States
All F-1 students must understand and comply with the following ICE requirements:
1) Report to the DSO to have his or her SEVIS record registered in SEVIS in a timely fashion. DSOs must
register the student in SEVIS no later than 30 days after the program start date (new students in initial
SEVIS status), and each semester thereafter, no later than 30 days after the next session start date
(continuing students)
2) For the first entry for initial school attendance, the school listed on the visa and on the I-20 must be the
same, and that is the school the student must plan to attend.
3) Pursue a full course of study (12 credit hours) at the school listed on the currently valid Form I-20 during
every academic session or semester except during official school breaks, or unless approved under a
specific exception, in advance, by the DSO. Students enrolled in a health-related program must adhere
to the mandatory full course of study regardless of their program requirements for each term.
4) Make normal progress toward completing the course of study, by completing studies before the expiration
of the program completion date on your Form I-20.
5) Keep Form I-20 valid by following proper procedures for extension of stay
6) Keep Form I-20 valid by following proper procedures for change in educational levels or programs of
study
7) Keep Form I-20 valid by following proper procedures for transfer of schools
8) Report a change of address to the DSO within 10 days of the change, so that SEVIS can be updated
9) Abide by rules requiring disclosure of information and prohibition on criminal activity
10) Abide by any special requirements, such as Special Registration requirements
11) Not work, off campus, unless specifically authorized under ICE regulations
12) A student should keep his or her passport valid
13) Enroll in only one on-line/distance education course toward satisfaction of the mandatory 12 hour
requirement.
14) Obtain permission from the International Student Advisor BEFORE you drop a course for any reason or
are dropped for non-attendance. If an instructor withdraws you from a course which results in you falling
below the 12 hour requirement, you will be considered out of status and have to file for reinstatement
15) Request a travel endorsement on your I-20 from the International Student Advisor before traveling outside
the United States. This signature is required for re-entry into the US and is only valid for 6 months.
Students with an expired visa must renew their visa before re-entering the US
16) Abide by the following F-1 grace periods: 1) Depart the US within 60 days of either the completion date
on Form I-20, or the completion of the program of study, if earlier than the date on Form I-20, unless
proper procedures for transferring to another school have been followed. 2) Depart the US within 15
days following an authorized withdrawal. 3) Depart the US immediately upon unauthorized withdrawal
from courses or termination of studies, or status violation.
ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ARE SUBJECT
TO CHANGE WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE
NOTE**It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the EXPIRATION DATE on their I-20. If the
student will not complete their degree program on or before the expiration date, they must file a program
extension through the International Student Advisor before the I-20 expires. Failure to do so will result in a
violation of status.
I have read and understand the rules and regulations outlined above regarding F-1 status and agree to
abide by them while enrolled as a student at North Central Texas College
Printed name __________________________________
Student Signature _______________________________ Date _______________________________
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