SEVIS is an online system that is used to report and maintain information for F-1 students. Only the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Designated School Officials (DSOs) have access to this system. All ISSS staff use SEVIS to maintain F-1 records. SEVIS is also used to create the I-20, and to issue an updated I-20 when students change their major or apply for work authorization.
F-1 students must be registered in SEVIS by ISSS every fall and spring semester (and during Summer Arch) to maintain their F-1 status. SEVIS registration confirms that the student is starting or continuing their program at RPI, is enrolled full-time (unless otherwise approved), and has a valid U.S. address.
ISSS completes SEVIS registration within the first 30 days of each semester. It is important that students keep their U.S. address in SIS up-to-date, and that they are enrolled full-time every fall and spring (or talk to ISSS to discuss options to be part-time if eligible).
Every student is eligible for an annual vacation. This is an authorized break in study taken once per academic year, and it lasts for only one term. Typically, RPI students have their annual vacation during the summer, except for students in Summer Arch.
Students are not required to take an annual vacation. They can choose to take time off in the summer (excluding the Summer Arch requirement for undergraduate students) and still be in status. To learn more about what is an annual vacation, see this link: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2019/06/what-annual-vacation.
Every student has a CIP Code based on what they are studying at RPI. This code is decided by the Registrar's Office, based upon documentation provided by the academic department. ISSS does not assign the CIP code for any academic programs.
The CIP code is found on Page 1 of the I-20, in the Program of Study box. The CIP Code name that prints on the I-20 may not be an exact match for the name of the major at RPI. Students must notify ISSS if they believe their CIP code is incorrect, so it can be reviewed.
The CIP Code impacts the off- campus employment a student can perform while on CPT (Curricular Practical Training) and OPT (Optional Practical Training). All off-campus employment must be related to the major(s) listed on the I-20.
The CIP Code also determines if a student is eligible to apply for the STEM OPT Extension, which allows an additional 24 months of work after OPT.
To learn more about what are CIP Codes, see this link: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevis-help-hub/student-records/classification-of-instructional-programs/classification-of#.
Every student has an Education Level based on their program at RPI. There are three possible Education Levels at RPI: Bachelor’s (for undergraduate students), Masters (for MS, MEng, MBA, MArch, and MFA students, and Doctorate (for PhD and DEng students).
The Education Level is found on Page 1 of the I-20, in the Program of Study box.
A student can only have one Education Level listed on their I-20. If a student will change their Education Level, they must coordinate with ISSS to provide documentation to update the I-20 to reflect the change. All students who participate in the co-terminal program will need to request a new I-20 after finishing the Bachelor's degree.
