SEVIS Remarks on the COE (Form I-20)

Last updated: June 17, 2020

This job aid is a guide for determining which remarks entered in SEVIS will print on the Primary and Dependent Forms I-20 when entered into SEVIS.

Page	Field Name	Prints on I-20	Commentary
Create Student	Education Level Other Remarks	No
	English Proficiency Remarks	Yes	Is English proficiency required by the school? If No, prints only first 18 characters in English Proficiency Remarks. If Yes and student DOES HAVE proficiency, any explanation entered does not print; instead, English Proficiency Remarks read: Student is proficient. If Yes and student DOES NOT HAVE proficiency, any explanation entered does not print; instead English proficiency Remarks read: Student is not proficient.
	Financials	Yes	Specify Other costs, School fund type, and Other source type clarifications. Prints in Financials section on Page 1.
	Remarks	Yes	Primary – Prints in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Registration (Initial)	Remarks	Yes	Primary – Replaces any existing text in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Replaces any existing text in the Remarks For Student section on Page 2. Note: The registration and date will appear under Event History on Page 2.
Add Dependent	Remarks	No	Note: Remarks do not appear on the dependent’s new Form I-20 either.
Update Dependent	Remarks	No	Note: Remarks do not appear on the dependent’s new Form I-20 either.
Terminate Dependent	Termination Reason; If “Other”, Explain here:	No
Authorize to Drop Below	Remarks	No	Note: Authorization event, starting and ending dates appear under Other Authorizations section on Page 2.
Update Financial Information	Remarks	Yes	Specify Other costs, School fund type and Other source type clarifications print on Page 1. Primary – Replaces any existing text in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Replaces any existing text in the Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Update Personal Information	Remarks	Yes	Primary – Prints in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Update Program Information	Remarks	Yes	Primary – Prints in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Add CPT Employment	Relation to Curriculum	No
	Employment Remarks	Yes	Prints in Comments field in corresponding Employment Authorization section on Page 2.
	Student Remarks	Yes	Primary – Prints in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Add Off-Campus Employment	Recommendation	Yes	Prints in Comments field in corresponding Employment Authorization section on Page 2.
Add Off-Campus Employment	Student Remarks	Yes	Primary – Prints in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Add OPT Employment	Related to Coursework	No
	Employment Remarks	Yes	Prints in Comments field in Employment Authorization section on Page 2.
	Remarks	Yes	Primary – Prints in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Shorten Program	Remarks	Yes	Primary – Prints in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Extend Program	Medical Or Academic Circumstances That Necessitate Extension	Yes	Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Disciplinary Action	Explanation	No
Create I-20 For Change of Educational Level	Education Level Other Remarks	No
	English Proficiency Remarks	Yes	Is English proficiency required by the school? If No, prints only first 18 characters in English Proficiency Remarks. If Yes and student DOES HAVE proficiency, any explanation entered does not print; instead, English Proficiency Remarks read: Student is proficient. If Yes and student DOES NOT HAVE proficiency, any explanation entered does not print; instead English proficiency Remarks read: Student is not proficient.
	Remarks	Yes	Primary – Prints in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Cancel Change of Education Level	Remarks	No
Defer Attendance	Remarks	Yes	Primary – Prints in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Transfer Out	Remarks	Yes	Primary – Prints in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Transfer In Pending	Education Level Other Remarks	No
	English Proficiency Remarks	Yes	Is English proficiency required by the school? If No, prints only first 18 characters in English Proficiency Remarks. If Yes and student DOES HAVE proficiency, any explanation entered does not print; instead, English Proficiency Remarks read: Student is proficient. If Yes and student DOES NOT HAVE proficiency, any explanation entered does not print; instead English proficiency Remarks read: Student is not proficient.
	Remarks	Yes	Primary – Replaces any existing text in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2. Note: Form Issue Reason changes to Transfer Pending-Name of Transfer In School.
Reprint I-20	Remarks	No
Terminate Student	Otherwise Failing To Maintain Status Explanation	No
Terminate Student	Remarks	Yes	Primary – Prints in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Complete Program	Remarks	Yes	Primary – Prints in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.
Student Reinstatement	Education Level Other Remarks	No
	English Proficiency Remarks	Yes	Is English proficiency required by the school? If No, prints only first 18 characters in English Proficiency Remarks. If Yes and student DOES HAVE proficiency, any explanation entered does not print; instead, English Proficiency Remarks read: Student is proficient. If Yes and student DOES NOT HAVE proficiency, any explanation entered does not print; instead English proficiency Remarks read: Student is not proficient.
	Remarks	Yes	Primary – Prints in Remarks section on Page 1. Dependent – Prints in Remarks For Student section on Page 2.

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