To continue
in the same academic program
To begin a new academic program
Extension of Stay to Continue
in the Same Academic Program
Students with F-1 Status are limited in
the amount of time they may continue in an academic or language program.
The length of study and expected completion date (see item 5 on your
Form I-20) indicated on the initial Form I-20 used to begin your current
degree program at Hudson Valley Community College determines whether
you must apply for a Program Extension to remain in the
United States to complete your academic program. The United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) recorded this
date when you first entered the United States as your expected completion
date. If you will not be able to complete your current academic program
by the date shown on your Form I-20, you must file a Program Extension
notice with the USCIS before that date. This simple notification procedure
is described below.
Eligibility - To be eligible for
a program extension you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be in lawful F-1 status under
the visa supervision of Hudson Valley Community College.
- You must have maintained unbroken full-time
status for every semester of your current program during which you
have been in F-1 status.
- Delays in completing your studies must
be "caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, such as
changes of major or research topics, unexpected research problems
or documented illnesses. Delays caused by academic probation or suspension
are not acceptable reasons for program extensions." (8 CFR 214.2)
- You must apply for an extension before
the program end date indicated on the Form I-20.
If you have questions about your eligibility
for a Program Extension, please contact the International Student
Advisor/DSO well in advance of your Form I-20 completion date.
Application Procedure
Step 1 - Make an appointment with
the coordinator for international student services/DSO. Bring the following documents
with you to the appointment:
- Your current Form I-20 and any previous Form I-20s
- Your passport
- Your I-94 Card
- Proof of registration
- Current financial documentation indicating that you can meet
the costs of the additional time needed to complete your program
- A completed Academic
Advisor's Recommendation Form for
Extension of Time Limitation for a Program of Study
- If a program extension is needed because of delays in completing
your studies due to compelling medical reasons, it
is necessary to attach statements (and any other necessary evidence)
from appropriate medical professionals, stating the medical reasons
for your need to extend your stay at Hudson Valley Community College
and the expected date of completion of your program of study
Step 2 - The International Student
Advisor/DSO, after verifying your eligibility, will authorize an extension
of stay. The coordinator for international student services/DSO will then notify the
USCIS of the program extension by entering it into SEVIS. A new or initial
SEVIS Form I-20 will then be generated for you. This SEVIS Form I-20
will indicate an extension of stay. This new Form I-20 will include
new programs start and end dates. This new SEVIS generated Form I-20
will then be returned to you.
Points to Consider
- You must apply for an extension of stay
before the program end date indicated on the Form I-20.
- If you are unable to complete your educational
program (your degree) within the program start and end dates indicated
on your Form I-20, and if you are ineligible for an extension of
stay, you will be considered "out of status."
- If you do not file for an extension of
stay, or if you file late, you automatically lose your student status
and you will need to apply for reinstatement (if eligible). Reinstatement
is a complicated, expensive and difficult procedure that will cost
you $195 and take months for approval.
- When you have determined that you will
need an extension of stay to complete your academic program, it is your
responsibility to notify the coordinator for international student services/DSO
who, after verifying this, will assist you with the application process
which includes the issuance of a new Form I-20. To qualify for a
new Form I-20, it is necessary for you to provide the International
Student Advisor/DSO with updated financial documentation that demonstrates
that you have the ability to meet all financial obligations associated
with your extended stay at Hudson Valley Community College to complete
your program of study.
Back to top
Extension of Stay to Begin a
New Academic Program
If you are completing one academic program
at Hudson Valley Community College and are planning to pursue another
degree or program without interruption, the USCIS must be notified. Examples
of this include but are not limited to:
- Completing a certificate in Electrical
Construction and Maintenance and transferring into the AAS in Electrical
Instrumentation and Controls.
- Completing an AAS in Travel and Tourism
and transferring into the BBA Program.
- Completing an undergraduate degree program
and continuing for a graduate degree.
- Completing an ESL program and being accepted
into a degree program (at the same school).
Eligibility - To be eligible for
an extension to begin a new program, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be in lawful F-1 status under
the visa supervision of Hudson Valley Community College.
- You must have maintained unbroken full-time
status for every semester of your current program during which you
have been in F-1 status.
- You must apply for an extension before
the program end date indicated on the Form I-20.
Application Procedure
Step 1 - Make an appointment with
the coordinator for international student services/DSO. Bring the following documents
with you to the appointment:
- Your current Form I-20 and any previous Form I-20s
- Your passport
- Your I-94 Card
- Proof of registration
- Current financial documentation indicating that you can meet the
costs of the additional time needed to complete your program
- A completed Academic
Advisor's Recommendation Form for
Extension of Time Limitation for a Program of Study
- If a program extension is needed because of delays in completing
your studies due to compelling medical reasons, it is necessary
to attach statements (and any other necessary evidence) from
appropriate medical professionals, stating the medical reasons
for your need to extend your stay at Hudson Valley Community
College and the expected date of completion of your program of
study
Step 2 - The International Student
Advisor/DSO, after verifying your eligibility, will authorize an extension
to begin a new program. The coordinator for international student services/DSO will
then notify the USCIS of the program extension by entering it into SEVIS.
A new or initial SEVIS Form I-20 will then be generated for you. This
SEVIS Form I-20 will indicate an extension to begin a new program.
This new Form I-20 will include new programs start and end dates. This
new SEVIS generated Form I-20 will then be returned to you.
Points to Consider
- You must apply for an extension to begin
a new program before the program end date indicated on the Form I-20.
- If you are unable to complete your educational
program (your degree) within the program start and end dates indicated
on your Form I-20, and if you are ineligible for an extension of
stay, you will be considered "out of status."
- If you do not file for an extension to
begin a new program, or if you file late, you automatically lose
your student status and you will need to apply for Reinstatement
(if eligible). Reinstatement is a complicated, expensive and difficult
procedure that will cost you $195 and take months for approval.
- When you have determined that you will
need an extension to begin a new program, it is your responsibility to
notify the coordinator for international student services/DSO who, after verifying
this, will assist you with the application process which includes
the issuance of a new Form I-20. To qualify for a new Form I-20,
it is necessary for you to provide the coordinator for international student services/DSO
with updated financial documentation that demonstrates that you have
the ability to meet all financial obligations associated with your
extended stay at Hudson Valley Community College to complete your
program of study.
|