Center for International Students and Scholars
Current Students
Undergraduate F-1 Students
Maintaining F-1 Status
In order to remain lawfully in the United States during your studies in F-1 status, you must adhere to the regulations that govern F-1 students. The following information will provide you with guidance for maintaining lawful F-1 status. Although the CISS strives to provide the most up-to-date information, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) considers it the responsibility of the F-1 student to be sure you do not do anything that violates the terms of your status. The US Government will not accept ignorance of the law for any violation.
Full Course of Study:
You are required by law to register for and complete a "full course of study" each fall and spring semester at Bentley University, in accordance with the following:
Although you have the right to register for as many classes as Bentley policy allows, you must register for and complete at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester. Dropping below 12 credits without prior authorization by the CISS is a violation of your F-1 status.
Reduced Course Load:
In order to reduce your course load below full-time you must request authorization in advance from the CISS office. An International Student Advisor will guide you in completing the necessary paperwork. You must resume a full course of study in the semester that immediately follows your permitted period of reduced course load, if you will not be completing your program in the reduced course-load semester.Following are the only exceptions to the full-course-of-study requirement:
Please Note:
Summer - You are not required to register for courses during the summer semester and may remain in the US if you intend to register for a full course load during the subsequent fall semester. If you have particular questions about the summer semester, please drop by the CISS office to talk with an International Student Advisor.
Incompletes
You must complete all work and receive a final grade for any incomplete courses by the end of your final semester of study in order to maintain your F-1 Student Status.
Completion of Studies
US Immigration regulations state that your lawful F-1 status automatically ends sixty (60) days after you complete your program* unless you take some action to remain lawfully in the US. Therefore, it is very important for you to be aware of the official date of completion of your program of study as indicated on your Form I-20.
*Important: The sixty-day grace period described above is not available to students who do not complete their program of study (e.g. are suspended, withdraw from Bentley, or otherwise do not complete their program objective as stated on their Form I-20.)
