International students must be aware of and comply fully with the following:

• You must maintain a valid passport at all times, unless exempt from passport requirements.
• You must maintain a valid I-94 Arrival/Departure Record at all times.
• You must maintain a valid, unexpired I-20 or DS-2019 at all times. This includes correct educational level, major, current funding, and correct personal data.
•  You must enroll in and attend classes on a full-time basis.  Please note “W” or “X” grades do not count towards the full-time course load.
• You must complete a full course of study during normal enrollment periods (fall & spring semesters – you also will be required to enroll and complete full-time course load during the summer semester if that is your first semester or graduating semester).  Full-time course load is defined as 12 credits per semester for undergraduates, 6 credits per semester for graduate students.
•  You must attend the college/university listed on your I-20 or DS-2019.
•  You must be enrolled full-time by the beginning of each semester. ISSA is required to report under-enrollment to DHS (Department of Homeland Security) within 30 days of the semester begin date. Any student who is not enrolled will be reported and will be considered out of status.
• If you will not be enrolled full-time, you must receive prior approval from an ISSA advisor.  Please note that only ISSA advisors are registered with DHS to grant such authorization, not your academic advisor or graduate college.  Please note that DHS offers limited circumstances in which ISSA could authorize you to enroll less than full time.  You and your academic advisor must complete the Reduced Course Load Request Form and submit it to ISSA in person for final approval prior to dropping below a full course load or when in situation where unable to enroll full time.
•  You must report any change of address or residence to ISSA within 10 days of the change.  In turn, ISSA will send this information electronically to DHS.
•  If you change your name, you must report it to the ISSA and provide legal documentation that reflects the name change within 10 days of the change. If the name of your dependent changes, please also report this to ISSA along with documentation of the name change.
•  You must apply for an extension of your program of study prior to the expiration date on your I-20 or DS-2019. Requests for extensions should be submitted at least 30 days prior to the expiration date of the I-20 or DS-2019.
•  You must obtain a new I-20 or DS-2019 if you change your academic program from one degree level to another (e.g., from Bachelor’s to Master’s level), or one major/field of study to another (e.g., from Chemical Engineering to Physics). You must also obtain a new I-20 or DS-2019 if your source of funding changes (e.g. from Scholarship to Parents).
•   Always consult with an ISSA advisor prior to traveling outside the U.S. for verification of your status and travel endorsement on your I-20 or DS-2019.
•  If you wish to bring dependents in F-2 or J-2 status, you may request a dependent I-20 or DS-2019 from ISSA.
•  You are NOT allowed to work in the United States without authorization.  F-1 students, who are maintaining their F-1 status, are allowed to work on campus up to 20 hours per week (regardless of a number of on-campus jobs) when school is in session.  During school breaks and vacations, you may work full time on campus.  J-1 students are only allowed to work on campus up to 20 hours per week with their J-1 program sponsor’s authorization if not sponsored by WMU.  Students may be allowed to work off-campus with appropriate authorization from ISSA or DHS. An ISSA advisor can provide you with more information about these employment options. 
•  If you intend to transfer to another educational institution, you must notify ISSA in advance of this transfer by submitting a completed Transfer-Out Request form along with official proof of admission from the new school.
•  If you need to withdraw from classes, or are asked to leave the university, you must report this to ISSA immediately.  If you report to ISSA prior to your withdrawal, you will have 15 days to leave the United States.  If you do not report to ISSA, your status ends immediately.
•  The normal grace period to remain in the U.S. following degree/program completion is 60 days for F-1 students and 30 days for J-1 students.  During this period, you are not allowed to work. 

Always carefully read any correspondence from ISSA.  Please contact ISSA should you have any questions or concerns.  Thank you!