Southeastern Louisiana University Shield Logo

Maintenance of Status

Maintenance of Status

F-1 and J-1 Student Maintenance of Status and Reinstatement Information. Please contact the International Services Office for further advising on other status concerns.

F-1 Maintenance of Status

F-1 students must comply with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations, which
can be found under Instructions to Students on page 3 of the I-20. By following those
instructions and the specific information below, Southeastern F-1 students will maintain
legal F-1 status in the US and be able to take full advantage of available F-1 benefits.
The ISO website provides general information, forms and instructions for specific
benefits and procedures, and advising information. Any questions should be directed
to International Services Office.

Tips to Maintain Status

  • Report to ISO within 30 days of start date on I-20

  • Report address changes to ISO within 10 days. You will also need to update

    your address in LeoNet.

  • Keep passport valid (your passport should be valid for a minimum of six

    months into the future.) To renew your passport in the US, contact the

    Embassy in your home country.

  • Maintain full time study:

    -Undergraduates-must be registered for a minimum of 12 credits

    -Graduates-must be registered for a minimum of 9 credit hours

       -ESL Students – must attend 20 hours of lecture and lab per week*There are some exceptions to the full time study rule however you must obtain special permission from the ISO prior to reducing your course load

  • Apply for I-20 extension prior to the end date in section 5 of your I-20. Learn more
    about Program Extension

  • Notify the ISO when changing education levels at Southeastern within

    60 days of program end date.

  • Notify the ISO when transferring to another F1 program within 60 days

    of Southeastern program end date. Learn more about School Transfers

  • Off campus employment requires special permission. See Employment to learn  more .

  • Timely depart or change status. F1 students have a 60 day grace period for

    departure following the end date of their program as noted on the I-20 or

    approved OPT period.

Reinstatement

A student who has failed to maintain F1 student status and who wishes to return or
transfer to Southeastern, must apply for and be granted reinstatement to F1 student
status by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Maintaining F1 student
status means that you have been a full-time student and have not overstayed the authorized
period of stay as identified on your I-20. If you have taken less than a full course
of study, not extended your I-20 or not completed the F1 transfer procedure, you are
likely out of status and must apply for reinstatement before you can be granted any
additional benefits from the USCIS. A student who has worked without authorization
is also out of status, but is not eligible for reinstatement. If you think that you
are out of status, please contact the ISO immediately.

Reinstatement Process

The reinstatement application includes the following documents:

  • Completed I-539 form with the appropriate filing fee (check or money order

    made payable to Department of Homeland Security) Write the word

    REINSTATEMENT in red ink on the top of the form.

  • A newly obtained I-20 form issued by Southeastern

  • Your original I-94 form. Please go to https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home 

  • Proof of continued funding to pay for your academic program

  • A written statement requesting reinstatement which explains the violation

    resulted from circumstances beyond your control and/or failure to be

    reinstated would result in extreme hardship. Any documentation that

    supports your claim should also be attached.

*The ISO will review your reinstatement application and letter before it is mailed.
Do not apply for reinstatement without first consulting the ISO.

Please keep copies of all documents submitted. A decision to reinstate an individual
to F1 status is completely at the discretion of USCIS. If the application is approved,
USCIS adjudicates the new I-20 form, makes appropriate entry in SEVIS and returns
a decision to you on an I-797 notice.

J-1 Maintenance of Status

J-1 students must comply with the Department of State (DOS) regulations, which can
be found on page 2 of the DS-2019. By following those instructions and the specific
information below, Southeastern J-1 students will maintain legal J-1 status in the
US and be able to take full advantage of available J-1 benefits. The ISO website provides
general information, forms and instructions for specific benefits and procedures,
and advising information. Any questions should be directed to International Services
Office.

Tips to Maintain Status

  • Maintain full-time enrollment and progress at the institution specified on the DS-2019

  • Maintain required health insurance

  • Do not change your academic major 

  • Obtain proper employment authorization before beginning any work, even on campus

  • Update address and legal name within 10 days of any change

  • Check for valid ISO signature and proper documentation before traveling outside US

  • Transfer J-1 SEVIS administration when changing schools. Obtain a program extension
    in order to continue study beyond end date on DS-2019

  • Obtain a new DS-2019 prior to beginning a new degree program

  • Obtain an updated DS-2019 when your funding source changes

  • Do not stay in the US beyond the 30-day grace period

  • Obtain permission from ISO before requesting a leave of absence or withdrawal from
    Southeastern

  • Keep passport and I-94 valid

  • Read e-mails from ISO

Request Info Apply Visit