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As an F-1 student, you were admitted to the United States for "D/S"
as indicated on your I-94 (small, white card). D/S, or Duration of Status, means
that you may remain in the U.S.
as long as you maintain lawful full time student status. However, the
Immigration requires that you finish your program of study by the expected
completion date noted in section 5 of your I-20. If you will not complete
your program by the expected completion date, you must file for an extension.
Failure to file a timely application will result in loss of F-1 status and
could jeopardize your legal status in the U.S.
To be eligible for an extension of stay you must:
 Have continually maintained full-time F-1 status, AND
Have compelling academic or medical reasons causes the delay
in completion. For example:
- Change of major or
research topic
- Unexpected research
problems
- Loss of credits upon
transfer to Rensselaer
- Documented illness
Please Note: Delays due to academic probation or suspension do not qualify
for extension. In this case you would have to apply for reinstatement.
- To apply for an extension
submit the following to the ISSS Office:
- F-1/I-20 Extension
of stay application your academic advisor will have to fill out he
recommendation part of the application. (download
the application here!)
- Your original I-20
- Letter of support
from your department only if you are receiving financial support, or
sponsor letter.
- An extension can be
applied for anytime before the completion date on the I-20. An extension
cannot be applied for if the completion date has expired
- Upon favorable review
of your application for extension the ISSS Office will type a new I-20
for you, which you will have to sign. When you submit your documents you
will be told when to return to sign your new I-20. Then page 3 of your
new I-20 will be stapled to all previous I-20's. Immigration
requires you to keep ALL copies of your I-20's together.
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