USF World News

Updated Guidance Regarding the Enrollment of International Students for Spring 2021

For a printable PDF version of this information, please click here.

USF World is pleased to report that on Friday, July 24, 2020, SEVP/ICE, provided clarifying information to institutions of higher education with regard to Fall semester international student enrollment:

Most importantly, SEVP/ICE has provided maximum flexibility for international student enrollment for institutions resuming operations under a hybrid mode of instruction.

F-1 Students Continuing their Studies at USF Inside the U.S.

•  A student may select any combination of in-person and online courses as offered by the student’s academic program during Spring 2021.
•  Students will keep their F-1 status and all the benefits that go with that status – even if the university transitions to all online course delivery at some point during the Fall semester.
•  Students must enroll full-time to receive scholarships and other financial assistance offered by the University.
•  Students may request a reduced course load for their final semester at USF or for medical reasons. A reduced course load may impact a student’s eligibility for scholarship assistance.
•  A new I-20 does not need to be issued.

F-1 Students Continuing their Studies at USF Outside the U.S.

•  Students may select all online courses during Spring 2021.
•  Students will keep their F-1 status and all the benefits that go with that status.
•  Students must enroll full-time to receive scholarships and other financial assistance offered by the University.
•  Students can request a reduced course load for their final semester at USF or for medical reasons. A reduced course load may impact a student’s eligibility for scholarship assistance.
•  A new I-20 does not need to be issued, unless the student plans to apply for a new visa.
•  Due to federal sanctions, students from Cuba, Iran, Sudan, or Syria are not able to study online from outside the US.

New F-1 Students Planning to Travel to the U.S. – to a USF Campus

•  Students cannot be in all online courses. A new student’s course schedule should include at least one course that includes an in-person component; such courses include those categorized as classroom (CL) or hybrid (HB) delivery.
•  Students must enroll full-time.
•  International Services is sending all new international students a new I-20 that specifically indicates that USF is employing a hybrid instructional model for Spring 2021.
•  For immigration purposes, new students are only students traveling to the United States as F-1 visa holders for the first time. “New” does not include students changing levels at USF (e.g. undergraduate to graduate).

New International Students Planning to Begin Coursework Outside the U.S.

•  Students may begin courses online without issue. A list of available UG and GR course options is available here.
•  These students are not considered F-1 until they arrive on campus for Spring semester 2021.

Resources

We are updating our international student FAQs daily.

Enrollment information and “Next Steps” for international students can be found here.

Students wishing to meet with an immigration advisor should complete the Request Advisor Appointment E-Form in iStart. An advisor will arrange a remote appointment at the student’s convenience (any time zone).