Maintaining Your F-1 Status.

1. Maintain a valid (unexpired) passport at all times. If your passport will expire while you are in the United States, you need to contact your embassy 6 months prior to its expiry to find out how to renew it.
2. Maintain a valid (unexpired) Form I-20 (F-1 students). You must have correct information on your I-20 or DS-2019. Changes to your source of financial support, education level, field of study, or legal name, must be reported to ISS immediately so a new document may be prepared for you. Timing can be critical for all of these changes, so start the process early. Always be aware of the expiration date on your I-20, and do not let your I-20 expire.
3. Save a copy of every I-20 you ever receive as the record is important. You can request certified true copies of your past immigration-related documents that may be on file with the ISS office by going to MyISS>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Photocopy Request for Current and Former Students.
4. Check your I-94 record each time you enter and re-enter the U.S and keep the latest copy.
5. Maintain an accurate and up-to-date local address and local phone number in Purdue’s “myPurdue” system. The address must be a place of residence, not a P.O. Box or office address. Address and telephone number changes must be reported in “myPurdue” within 10 days of a move to a new address via MyISS>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Address Update. 
6. If you need to update your home address, non-university email and/or phone number visit MyISS>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Address Update
7. Read each and every ISS e-mail that is entitled, “ISS Announcements” or “Urgent Message from ISS”. These announcements contain immigration news, updates, and reminders that international students need to know. Procedures regarding how to process timely applications for: extension of stay; travel endorsement; change of status; employment authorization, and other applications, are outlined on a regular basis. NOTE: ISS corresponds with all students by email using your @Purdue email account. If you do not use your @Purdue email account, please make sure you forward your messages from that account to your personal email account because you are responsible for anything we send to you via email through your @Purdue email account.

1. As an undergraduate, register for and complete a full course of study each and every fall and spring semester with at least 12 credit hours with no more than one 3 credit course of that being a distance education or on-line course. Audited courses do NOT count toward your minimum full-time enrollment status.
2. Attend all your classes, and maintain normal academic progress. If school is too difficult, speak with ISS immediately.
3. Maintain a full course of study each term. If you cannot study full time, contact ISS immediately. You may be eligible for a reduced course load in only these limited circumstances:
   • Medical – (must provide a recommendation letter from a licensed medical professional who is residing in the United States or a non-US professional who has personally seen you within the past 3 months) Note: there is a one year MAXIMUM authorization period for medical reasons.
   • Improper course placement – (must have a written recommendation from academic advisor)
   • Initial difficulty with American teaching methodology –(first semester only – must have a written recommendation from academic advisor)
   • Initial difficulty with English language or reading requirements – (must have a written recommendation from academic advisor)
   • Final semester of a student’s academic program (graduate students must have written recommendation from academic advisor)
4. Notify and discuss with ISS before:
   • Changing your major or program. Note that ISS automatically updates majors the semester following the change. Only request a new document if you do not receive an updated one 60 days into the new semester. If you have not received a new I-20 within 60 days, please submit MyISS>General Services>Ask Student Counselor to request assistance.
   • Changing your education level. If you want to change your level of study (bachelors, Masters, or PhD) you should complete a Change of Education Level Request via MyISS>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Change of Education Level
   • Transferring to a new school.
   • Taking a break from school. Students who need to take time off from their education but plan to return to Purdue should submit MyISS>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Intent to End F-1/J-1 Student Program
   • Requesting a program extension if you do not think you will complete your program of study by the end date listed on your Form I-20. An extension must be requested before your program end date.
   • Dropping a class that takes you below your limits.
   • Changing your source of finance- if you have a change to report, do so via MyISS>F-1 and J-1 Student Services>Financial Update

Never work off-campus without written authorization from ISS or USCIS. Do not participate in any off-campus employment activities, paid and unpaid opportunities or employment, including mandatory orientation associated with off-campus employment activities without express written permission from ISS or USCIS.

All forms of off-campus employment require pre-authorization from either ISS or the USCIS before the first day of employment. Employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session (except for students on certain forms of practical/academic training). Off-campus employment can be any of the following: Internship (paid or unpaid), Co-Op (paid or unpaid), casually helping a friend with their business, starting a business, Interns for Indiana, and other similar scenarios.

On campus full time employment is allowed during official school breaks or during periods when the student is not required to be enrolled. (J-1 students must obtain written authorization from ISS for both on- and off-
campus employment).

Read further on Employment, SSN & ITIN

Purchase and maintain adequate health insurance for yourself and for your dependents, if applicable, in
accordance with Purdue’s requirements. There are consequences for those that do not meet the stated deadline. These include late fees, a hold on your account to prevent registration and/or unavailability of transcript, and possible cancellation of classes resulting in violation of your visa status. See Buy Your Insurance

When traveling outside the United States, you will need to have the proper documents to return, including a valid travel authorization from an immigration counselor at ISS. Contact the ISS office before you travel to obtain the authorization and any other documentation that may be required. Re-entry to the US normally requires that you have a valid passport, valid entry visa, and a valid I-20 or J document endorsed by ISS for travel. See also my post Travelling while a F-1 Student

You have a 60-day grace period following the completion of your program, unless you have OPT, CPT or STEM-OPT authorisation. This is the period of time before you are required to leave the United States. You have several options during this period, but if you have not taken action by the time it is over, you must depart the United States.

If you wish to extend your stay in the United States, talk with ISS to learn more about doing one of the following:

• Transfer to another school.
• Change your education level (e.g. bachelor’s to master’s).
• Apply to change status to another visa status (e.g. H-1B-temporary worker; O-extraordinary ability in science, art or business; P-athlete).

Never accept any public benefits or assistance from the federal, state or local government such as free school lunches, food stamps, etc.

Under certain U.S. federal, state, county, and local laws, non immigrants and their dependents may qualify for “public assistance,” such as health insurance, subsidized housing, food assistance, or unemployment benefits. Accepting such benefits as a non immigrant visa holder can lead to inadmissibility to the United States due to reliance on “public assistance” under the Immigration and Nationality Act, this could ultimately result in denial of re-entry into the United States in the future. The non immigrant is responsible for understanding that certain types of benefits could qualify for “public assistance” and knowing the risks associated with enrolling and/or receiving such benefits.

Always consult ISS before accepting any such help or assistance.