Specialized Forms
International Students have a wide variety of needs and requirements to keep them in good immigration status while they are pursuing their degree in the United States. The Advocacy Support and Services for International Students Team (ASSIST) has created forms for the specific needs of International Students. These forms will cover several needs that International Students will face. These forms can be found on the J-Drive (accessible only by your Academic Advisor).
The forms include the following:
- Reduced Course Load (RCL) allows International Students to enroll less than full-time for a specific term.
- Annual Vacation form allows students listed as 12-month programs (5-term format) to take one term off with no consequences or effect on their immigration records.
- Program End Date Extension form is needed when the current program end date listed on the I-20 is not when the student will actually complete their program.
- If an International Student requires having their immigration paperwork (I-20) reprinted for any reason, there is a request form for that specific situation
Annual Vacation
An Annual Vacation* is an authorized break in a student’s studies that is taken once per academic year and lasts one term. F-1 students are eligible to take an annual vacation after completing their academic year requirement at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school and once every year after that. Although it is most frequently taken during the summer term, it can be taken during another academic term, which is usually determined by a student’s school calendar.
This form allows students who are listed as 12-month programs (5-term format). As long as a student has been enrolled full-time for a minimum of 4 of the 5 terms, they would be allowed to take one term off with no consequences or effect on their immigration records. The 4 terms must be consecutive. For example, Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, and Spring II allow the student to take the summer term off.
*Information was gathered from Study in the States
Reduced Course Load (RCL)
Reduced Course Load* (RCL) allows International Students to be enrolled less than full-time for a specific term. The federal government sets very strict reasons for authorizing RCL. No exceptions can be made to those regulations. They are federal regulations, not Lindenwood's.
In order to remain in status while attending courses, students are required to maintain full-time status. Lindenwood has 2 formats in which classes are taught. They are Semester and 5-Term. Semester students are classified as 9 month students and 5-Term students are classified as 12 month students.
- Undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours for the fall and or spring semesters. Semester students are not required to enroll in the summer session.
- Graduate students must be enrolled in the minimum required depending on the format of their program.
- Semester graduate students need to be in 9 - 12 credit hours for the fall and or spring semesters. Semester students are not required to be enrolled in the summer session.
- 5-Term graduate students need a minimum of 6 credit hours per term. 5-Term students need to be enrolled in all the terms (Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, Spring II, and Summer).
Students are required to be full-time for the entire time of the program / degree, however things do happen that can prevent a student being full-time. In certain circumstances we can authorize reduced course load for the term that is being affected. There are specific reasons for Reduced Course Load (RCL) that USCIS and SEVIS agree upon and Lindenwood University has to uphold those regulations and requirements. If a student meet those requirements we can authorize the RCL for the term affect as long as we have the RCL form filled out and the supporting documents.
*Information was gathered from Study in the States
Program End Date Extension
This form is needed when the current program end date listed on the I-20 is not when the student will actually complete their program and requires additional terms to complete it.
- Program end date is located on the first page of the student’s I-20 (Please keep a copy)
- Program end date is only an estimate of when the student could complete their degree.
- Program end date affects how long the student can be in the United States
- Program end date can be changed.
- Program end date change reasons
- Student changes major and needs additional courses.
- Student adds a major and requires additional courses.
- Student adds a minor and requires additional courses.
- Student fails required or general education courses.
- Student needs to take a term or two off for any reason.
- Program end date changing procedure
- Fill out the Program extension form and submit to OASIS. (Program End Date Extension form can be found on the International Services Website or on the J-drive).
- Include a copy of the student’s bingo sheet showing the number of classes still required for their program or a list of the courses remaining.
I-20 Reprint Request
International Students need to have their printed I-20 on them at all times. Especially when they travel or when requesting either the state ID or state driver's license. If an International Student requires having their immigration paperwork (I-20) reprinted for any reason see below:
There are several reasons why an International Student would need their I-20 reprinted.
- I-20 was lost / misplaced*
- I-20 is packed in luggage*
- I-20 was stolen
- I-20 is damaged
- Travel signatures are full
- Change of Status (initial to continued)
- Additional Major
- Change of Major
- Updated employer information
- Other____________________
*Some I-20 reprints may include a reprint fee
