Maintaining Your F-1 Status
As an F-1 international student, you are responsible for maintaining your legal immigration status while studying in the United States. This requires careful attention to your enrollment, immigration documents, and travel.
Important Immigration Documents
Passport
You must maintain a valid passport while studying in the United States. A passport should be renewed within six months of its expiration date. If your passport is lost or stolen, you will need to report it to local police and request a new passport.
Form I-20
Your Form I-20 is an official record of your F-1 status. You must keep it accurate and up to date. Any I-20 requests must be made to ISS within 10 business days. Requests that do not require an appointment can be made by completing the Document Request Form. These include, but are not limited to, travel signatures, address changes, reprints and other requests.
Form I-94
The Form I-94 is your official arrival record. You can retrieve your I-94 online. ISS will request a copy of your initial I-94 after your arrival in the United States. Review your I-94 record to ensure that you were admitted on your F-1 student visa and that your admission has no expiration date (D/S).
Full-Time Enrollment Requirement
You must maintain a full-time course load each semester unless you receive prior authorization.
Minimum enrollment requirements:
- Undergraduate students: 12 credit hours
- Graduate students: 9 credit hours
Only one online course, up to three credits, may count toward the full-time requirement. Failure to maintain full-time enrollment without authorization will result in loss of status.
Reduced Course Load (RCL)
You may be authorized to drop below full-time enrollment only with prior approval from International Student Services.
Acceptable reasons include:
- A medical condition with supporting documentation
- Academic difficulties during the first semester only
- The final semester, if completing degree requirements
Students must submit a Reduced Course Load form, signed by their academic advisor, before dropping courses.
Summer Enrollment
Summer enrollment is optional unless your program begins or ends during the summer term. If enrollment is required, you must enroll full time and meet all face-to-face requirements.
Travel Inside the United States
You should carry:
- A valid passport
- Your Form I-20 (recommended, but not required)
Travel Outside the United States
To re-enter the United States, you must have:
- A valid passport and visa stamp
- A Form I-20 with a valid travel signature. You can request a signature using the Document Request Form.
- If you are on OPT, your EAD and a travel letter from your employer are recommended.
I-20 Program Changes and Transfers
Extending Your Program
If you need more time to complete your degree:
- Request an extension before your I-20 expires.
- Submit the I-20 extension request form with updated financial documentation.
- Extensions cannot be approved after the I-20 program end date has passed.
Change of Program or Education Level
If you begin a new program at Rockhurst:
- Request a new I-20 within 10 business days of the change.
- Complete the I-20 extension request form. You may be required to provide updated financial documentation.
Taking Courses at Another Institution
If you plan to take courses at another school with which Rockhurst does not have a cooperative agreement, you must consult ISS in advance.
Employment for F-1 Students
On-Campus Employment
- Allowed during the academic year
- Limited to 20 hours per week while classes are in session
- Full-time work permitted during official breaks
Off-Campus Employment
Off-campus employment requires prior authorization. Options include:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Additional ISS directions for applying for OPT and CPT are available on the International Student Forms page. Select the form for the type of employment that interests you.
- For job listings and student hiring opportunities, contact Career Development.
Do not begin any type of employment without approval. Failure to comply with SEVP employment regulations will result in termination of your I-20.
Social Security Number
F-1 students may apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) only if they have authorized employment.
To apply, you will typically need:
- Your passport and F-1 visa stamp
- Your registered I-20
- Your I-94
- A job offer letter
- A P/DSO letter from ISS, which you can request using the Document Request Form
You may need to schedule an appointment before visiting a Social Security office.
Driver License & State ID
You will typically need:
- Your passport and F-1 visa stamp
- Your registered I-20
- Your I-94
- A P/DSO letter from ISS, which you can request using the Document Request Form
- Proof of your local address
Requirements may vary. Check with the Missouri Department of Revenue for the most current information.
Filing Taxes
ALL international students at RU must file their taxes, whether they have a job or not. International Services will send out a reminder each year in December for students to file their taxes between January and April. It is recommended that you go through a third-party tax preparer that specifically works with non-resident tax returns in the U.S., called Sprintax. You will log in and follow the steps. They do charge a fee for their services.