Questions from Designated School Officials is a blog series on Study in the States for designated school officials (DSOs). Each month, we will answer a question that will help you advise your F and/or M students. If you are a DSO and would like to submit a question, you can email us or ask us via social media, your Field Representative or the SEVP Response Center. We may edit questions for clarity and consistency and may not feature all submissions on Study in the States.

Question: What should I do if an F student fails to complete a program of study by the program end date?

Answer: You may be able to change the program end date in SEVIS in order to grant the student an extension.

• If the student has maintained status while in the United States, you may grant an extension if the reason for not completing the program on time is academic or medical, such as any of the following:
  • Change in major or research topic
  • Unexpected research problems
  • Documented illness
• Do not grant an extension if either of the following describes the student:
  • The student is on academic probation or suspension.
  • The student requested the extension after the program end date listed on the current Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”

If you cannot grant an extension, determine if it is appropriate for the student to apply for reinstatement to continue studies in the United Sates. If reinstatement is a possibility, you can put the student’s SEVIS record into Terminated  or Completed status so that the student can file a Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status”  with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This form allows the student to apply for reinstatement of student status.

Be sure to remind F students that an F student who meets both of the following conditions will be out of status:

• Fails to complete a program of study by the program end date listed on the Form I-20
• Is ineligible for program extension