Maintaining F-1/J-1 Visa Status

• I must take a full course load Fall and Spring semesters at Clayton State. I cannot drop below full-time (12 semester hours undergraduate student, or 9 semester hours graduate), unless I have received prior approval from a DSO (Designated School Official). Online courses can only be taken for 3 of the required credit hours. A report is generated at various times during a semester to verify that students are in full time status. If I drop below a full course load or enroll in too many online credit hours as described above without prior approval I will be considered out of status and this may result in the termination of my I-20 or DS-2019.
• I do not have to take classes during the summer (unless my program start date is for summer) and can remain in the United States as long as I plan to return to school for the Fall semester.
• I must attend classes as required by the professor of each class. The professor will give me a "course syllabus" at the beginning of each semester, and the syllabus will clearly explain the professor's attendance requirements. If I do not follow the attendance rules, the professor can drop me from the class without my permission. If the professor drops me from class for not following the attendance rules I will be considered out of status and this will result in the termination of my I-20 or DS-2019.
• I understand that I cannot just stop attending classes or decide not to return to Clayton State after completing a semester. I must contact a DSO and inform them of my decision.

If I decide to transfer to another school I must contact a DSO in order to have my SEVIS record transferred to the new school.

The Clayton State International Student Services Office requires the following from a student transferring out: 

1. Acceptance Letter from the Student's University: Please email this with the University's school code. 
2. SEVIS School Code for the new university: Please contact the University for their school code and email the code to us with your acceptance letter.  
3. Email the acceptance letter and the school code to ISS@clayton.edu. 
4. Review over the Readmission & Transfer website for more information. 

• I cannot work in the United States outside of the Clayton State campus unless I get permission from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). I cannot work for money even if I work for my family or my sponsor. I will contact the Clayton State International Student Services Office for information about working in the US. If I work for money in the United States without approval, I will be considered out of status and this will result in the termination of my I-20 or DS-2019.
• Please see our Employment Authorization website to learn more about these processes.
• I may apply for on-campus positions at Clayton State but cannot work more than 19 hours a week when enrolled in classes.

If I move or change my address, my name or my major I must inform a DSO within 10 days. I must also notify a DSO if the address or name of a dependent changes.

I understand that if I do not notify a Clayton State DSO of any of the above changes, I will be considered out of status and this may result in the termination of my I-20 or DS-2019.  Email ISS@clayton.edu.

Review over the Visa and Passport website for international students as one of these changes may affect your travel documentation. 

ALSO PROVIDE YOUR NAME CHANGE TO THE CLAYTON STATE REGISTRAR OFFICE BY COMPLETING THE FORM “Name, Gender, or Social Security Change Form” by going to the Registrar Forms website.

Cheating or plagiarism on my academic work or helping another person cheat on their academic work is a very serious breach of CSU academic rules. If I get caught cheating on my academic work, or helping another person cheat, then I can be suspended from the university and will be considered out of status which will result in the termination of my I-20 or DS-2019.

• If I have any questions about my F-1 or J-1 status, or if I do not understand something completely, I will ask the International Student Services Office for assistance. I WILL NOT ASK MY FRIENDS OR FAMILY FOR ADVICE. It is critical that you acquire accurate information from a knowledgeable source. I understand that International Student Services will not accept "My friend told me..." as a reason for falling out of status.
• I understand it is my responsibility to check my program end date on my I-20 or DS-2019. I must make an appointment with a DSO at least two months prior to the program end date on my I-20 or DS-2019. If I let my program end date expire, I will be out-of-status and will have to return to my home country.
• I understand that I must exit the United States within 60 days of completing my program if I do not plan to enroll in another program. J-1 Students must exit within 30 days of their program end date.
• I understand that Clayton State University will automatically report to the USCIS if I fall out of status for any reason.
• I understand that International Student Services will follow the law 100% of the time, and that they cannot do anything illegal to help me if I fall out of status.
• I understand that if I fall out of F-1 or J-1 status Clayton State will have no choice but to terminate my I-20 or DS-2019 and I will need to depart the United States immediately.
• I understand that I should always talk to a DSO before taking any action that may endanger my Visa status.