The federal government permits you to be a part-time student in very specific circumstances. You must obtain approval from ISSS before you become a part-time student.

For more information, expand the below section on Part-Time Enrollment (RCL).

All F-1 students are required to complete their program by the Program End Date listed on their I-20. If you will not complete your program by this date, you must apply for an extension at least 30 days before your Program End Date on your I-20.

For more information, expand the next section on I-20 Extension.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) offers F-1 students an opportunity for off-campus work experience in their field of study.

For more information, see the Employment in the U.S. section on Optional Practical Training (OPT).

When F-1 students finish their program of study, there is a specified grace period of 60 days that begins after your Program End Date on your I-20.

During this grace period, you can do any of the following:

• Apply and be accepted to a new academic program which starts within 5 months of your graduation date; or
• Apply for Post-Completion OPT [see the section on Post-Completion OPT for instructions and timelines]; or
• Travel inside of the U.S. and depart the U.S. by the end of the grace period; or
• Apply to USCIS for a change of status [legal counsel recommended].

If you have applied for Post-Completion OPT, you are able to remain inside the U.S. in legal F-1 status while your application is pending. In fact, you should NOT depart the U.S. with a pending application. Your 60-day grace period does not apply during this time. Instead, you will receive a 60-day grace period upon completion of OPT.

For students who intend to transfer to another U.S. school, see the Leaving Rensselaer section on Transfer.

Students who intend to begin a new program of study at RPI will need to request a Change of Education Level (COL) I-20 within 60 days of of their Program End Date or graduation (whichever is sooner). Please keep in mind that you must allow ISSS at least 2 weeks for processing, so we highly recommend you submit all your documentation to us in advance of your Program End Date.

To learn more or request the Change of Level I-20, access the Change of Education Level request online: https://bit.ly/COLrequest.

We recommend that you speak with ISSS during our Open Hours in the semester before you will start your new program so we can provide guidance on travel outside of the U.S. and timing expectations. After your Change of Education Level I-20 has been issued, you are able to be employed on-campus (but not off-campus).

All F-1 students are required to complete their program by the Program End Date listed on their I-20. If you will not complete your program by this date, you must apply for an extension at least 30 days before your Program End Date on your I-20. Extensions filed in an untimely manner may not be processed and the student may have to return home or file for a reinstatement, which can be a costly and timely process.

Program Extension Requirements

To be eligible for a program extension, the student must have:

• Continually maintained full-time F-1 status AND
  • Have compelling academic or medical reasons for the delay in completing the program, such as:
  • Change of major or research topic
  • Unexpected research problems
  • Loss of credits upon transfer to RPI
  • Documented illness

Please note: Delays due to academic suspension or dismissal do not qualify for an extension. In this case, you would have to apply for reinstatement.

Application Instructions

• Students will complete an online process to submit their request. Go to this link: https://bit.ly/programextensionISSS.

International students are required to maintain a full-time course load every fall and spring semester. Full-time is 12 credit hours (for graduate students on teaching assistantships, it is 9 credit hours with approval from OGE).

Part-time enrollment (RCL) is only allowed in certain situations. These situations also require academic approval and ISSS approval. Students can receive a maximum of two Part-Time Enrollment (RCL) approvals per education level, excluding a RCL for medical reasons (maximum of 12 months).

Do not drop below full-time without first working with ISSS for the required approvals. If you drop below full-time without approval from ISSS, you are not maintaining your F-1 status and your SEVIS record may be terminated.

Undergraduate students and graduate students have a different process to request to be part-time student, so please review the process which is appropriate for you.

Undergraduate Part-Time Process

• Undergraduate students will complete an online process to submit their request for part-time enrollment.
  • Go to this link: https://bit.ly/RCLrequest

Graduate Part-Time Process

• Graduate students need to complete the Graduate Student Request for Change of Status Form, found here: https://info.rpi.edu/graduate-academics/forms-publications-policies, and get this form signed by your Present Graduate Program Director and OGE before you submit this to ISSS.
• ISSS cannot sign this form and submit it to the Registrar's Office for processing until the academic side has approved your request as noted on the form.