Prospective International Students

F-1 Visa Students’ Responsibilities to Maintain Visa Status

(as required by U.S. Dept. of State regulations)

• Enroll in a full course of study at the beginning of every session (at least 12 credits) (excluding authorized break periods/vacations)
  • Only 1 online course allowed per term; NO online courses allowed during final term
  • A Reduced Course Load (RCL) below 12 credits is only permissible during the final term of the program of study, and with permission from the Primary Designated School Official (PDSO), the GEO Director
• Consult with the PDSO (GEO Director) before dropping below a full course of study for any reason 
• Report address changes to the PDSO within 10 days of the change
• Report any change in sources of financial support to the PDSO 
• Seek the approval of the PDSO/USCIS before engaging in employment or practical training/ internship
• Report any changes in program of study to the PDSO
• Report any change in academic status to the PDSO
• Notify the DSO or PDSO prior to traveling outside the United States for a travel signature on the I-20 or DS-2019
• Notify the PDSO upon applying for change of non-immigration status 
• Notify the PDSO upon approval of an adjustment of status to “immigrant status”
• Consult with the PDSO to extend their program 
• Notify the PDSO if they intend to transfer
• Notify the PDSO about changes in dependent status 

We are pleased that you have chosen to join our campus community and we trust that your experience at PSU will be successful and rewarding.

The Exchange Student Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s (DOS) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended. The purpose of the Exchange Student Program is “to promote international educational and cultural exchange in order to develop mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries.”

The DOS has designated Plymouth State University to serve as Program Sponsor, thereby enabling us to issue Form DS-2020, Certificate of Eligibility, to prospective Exchange Students. Although there are numerous categories of exchange visitors, PSU is only designated to sponsor exchange visitors in the category of student which is defined as:

College and university students — individuals admitted to a degree program at an accredited educational institution for a full course of study leading to, or culminating in, the award of a US degree, or an individual engaged full-time in a non-degree prescribed course of study. (Students may be enrolled in degree programs, English language training, and other non-degree study preparatory to entrance into a degree program or some other non-degree program with a predetermined educational objective.) Degree students are authorized to participate for as long as they are studying at the post-secondary institution listed on their Form DS-2020. Non- degree students are limited to a maximum stay of 24 months.