International Student Information
and Regulations
Maintaining a full course load
All Undergraduates must maintain at least twelve (12) credit hours each Fall
and Spring semester. All Graduate students must maintain at least nine (9)
credit hours each Fall and Spring semester, unless they hold an assistantship,
in which case they must maintain six (6) credit hours each Fall and Spring
semester (unless the department requires more than six (6) hours). Graduate
students who have completed all course work, but still need to complete the
Thesis or Dissertation must be enrolled in a minimum of one (1) credit hour
each Fall and Spring semester. Students who enter the United States for the
first time for the Summer term must be enrolled full-time for that Summer
term only (for subsequent Summer terms, the student is not required to be
enrolled). Undergraduate students must maintain six (6) credit hours and
Graduate students must maintain three (3) credit hours.
Completing the Course of Study by the date posted on the I-20
The I-20 has an expiration date established by the time deemed necessary
to complete the degree. The I-20 expires on that date or when the student
completes the course of study - whichever comes first. For information on
extensions, contact the IPS.
Reporting to the Office of International Programs and Services new
issuance of I-20
A new I-20 may be issued for any number of reasons, including but not limited
to change of academic program, change of academic level (for example; Bachelor's
to Master's, Master's to Doctorate), or a second degree being sought at the
same level. In each case, the Office of International Programs and Services
(IPS) must report the changes to the Immigration and Naturalization Service
(INS).
Other Important Regulations
- Limit campus employment to a maximum of twenty (20) hours per week while
school is in session
- Do not work off campus without authorization
Attend the authorized University stated on the I-20
- Apply for practical training within ninety (90) days prior to completing
the academic program
- Depart the United States within sixty (60) days of completing the academic
program
- Maintain a valid passport the entire time you are in the United States
- Report your school address within ten (10) days of the time that you
establish your residence, including all changes of address. The Immigration
Service requires that you maintain a current address with the University
at all times. Undergraduate students report to IPS, Northwest Annex,
B-119. Graduate students report to the Graduate School, Woody Hall, B-103.
- Secure a signature for travel outside the United States from an Advisor
at IPS
- Report change of student's or dependents' legal name
- Report any disciplinary action taken by the school as a result of being
convicted of a crime
- Report to IPS when the student intends to leave SIUC for the purpose
of transferring to another University
The staff in the Office of International Programs and Services will be
required to enforce strictly all of these rules and regulations (as of
January 30, 2003) and report any irregularities to the Immigration and
Naturalization Service.
After 9/11/01, the United States Congress mandated that the United States
Immigration and Naturalization Service develop and implement an electronic
system to track all of the 514,000 plus international students that study
annually in the United States. The web-based program is called Student
and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Any violation of the
rules and regulations will cause a student to be out of status with the
INS. If an international student is out of status (s)he will be subject
to arrest and deportation.
POSSIBLE CHANGE IN FEES - SEE BELOW - http://www.aacrao.org/transcript/index.cfm?fuseaction=show_view&doc_id=3845
For additional information, follow this link to International
Programs and Services.
