Program Information

Last updated: February 3, 2023

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Overview
Update F-1 Program Information
Education Level
Major Code 1, Major Code 2, and/or Minor Code
English Proficiency
Remarks about the Student
Update Information

Designated school officials (DSOs) sometimes have to update SEVIS to reflect a change in the student’s academic program or to fix an error. The DSO must update any changes to a student’s primary academic field of study within 21 days, so the updated program information is reflected in the student’s SEVIS record and Form I-20.

DSOs can update the following fields:

Field	Description
Education Level*	Student’s level of education This is a required field, but the student’s education level is only to be updated here to: correct a mistake, or If there really is a change in the student’s level of study that did not require a separate application to the school. For example, a student is admitted to a Ph.D. program where a master’s degree is given as part of the program. The DSO issued the Form I-20 for the doctoral level. The student ends the program at the masters level. The DSO updates the program to reflect the master’s level. It is not for starting a new program of study. Note: Use the Change Education Level function if the student begins a new program of study.
Major Code 1*	Student’s primary field of study Required field
Major Code 2*	Student’s second major field of study Required field
Minor Code*	Students minor field of study Required field
English Proficiency*	School's English proficiency requirement and whether the student's meet the requirement Required fields
Remarks about the Student	Applicable remarks regarding the student’s Program change(s) Note: Comments entered in any >Remarks field throughout the electronic Form I-20 will overwrite existing remarks and will print on page 1 of the Form I-20 in the “Remarks” section.

8 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 214.3(g)(2)(ii)

1. Go to the Student Information page.

Student Information page with Program Edit button indicated with a red box.]

2. Click Edit in the Program section. The Update Program Information page opens.

3. Update Program fields, as necessary.

Since this is an update, when the Update Program Information page opens, all required fields contain student program information. Change only the fields that need to be updated.
All program and session dates entered in SEVIS must correspond to your school’s academic calendar.

Click the Education Level drop-down arrow.
Select the student’s correct education level.

Only update the student’s education level here to correct a mistake in the education level. Do not use to start a student’s new program of study.
The student’s education level for a new program of study should only be changed through the Change Education Level function on the Student Information page.

Update the Major Code 1, Major Code 2, and/or Minor Code in one of two ways:

First method – Type the full program Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code in the applicable box.

Program information section on Update Program Information page with Major Code 1 field indicated in red.

Second method:
1. Click Select under the applicable major or minor field. The Acceptable CIP Codes modal opens.

Acceptable CIP Codes modal with Search field indicated in red.

2. Enter in the Search box one of two options:

Major/minor name or portion of the name
CIP code or portion of the code

3. Click the applicable CIP code in the left column, or,

4. Click Cancel to cancel the action and return to the Update Program Information page.

All three fields, Major Code 1, Major Code 2, and Minor Code are required.
If no secondary major, click No Major 2 check box.
If no chosen minor field of study, click No Minor check box.

This field is only changed if the student has completed the required English as a Second Language courses and has entered full-time into the academic program.

Click the Yes or No button to indicate whether your school requires English proficiency:

If you select No:
- Explain why the school does not require English Proficiency comment field opens.

English Proficiency section on Update Program Information page with No selected and explanation why English Proficiency is not required by school.]

Enter the reason why your school does not require English Proficiency in this field. This field has a 1,000-character limit.

Note: This explanation prints on page 1 of the student’s Form I-20 in the Program of Study section, under the topic English Proficiency Notes.

If you select Yes to indicate your school requires English proficiency, you must select either Yes or No to indicate if the student has the required English Proficiency.

English Proficiency section on Update Program Information page indicating that student has required English Proficiency

If you select No, indicating the student is not proficient in the English language; do not issue the Form I 20, as the student has not yet met all admission requirements.

Enter any remarks regarding the student’s Program Update in the Remarks about the Student section. This field has a 1,000-character limit.
Comments entered in any Remarks field throughout the electronic Form I-20 overwrites any existing remarks and prints on page 1 of the Form I-20 in the Remarks section.

Click the Update Information button. An Update Successful message opens.

Screenshot of Update Successful message.

Select one of the two option buttons: Return to View Record and Print I-20.
- Return to View Record: If chosen, choose Reprint I-20 button once on the Student Information page.
- Print I-20: If chosen, a Form I-20 prints that contains the change in Program Information.

Students are expected to keep all Forms I-20 issued during their academic career.
When information on the Form I-20 changes, it is best to give a new copy to the student.
Find information on allowable electronic signatures and Form I-20 transmission in SEVP's policy guidance Use of Electronic Signatures and Transmission for the Form I-20.

Program Information Update is completed.

Verify with the registrar’s office or the school database before making the change(s) in SEVIS. This helps ensure the correct programs are chosen for updating.

When a student signs the Form I-20, he/she attests that all of the information on the form is correct and true. The student is required to report any change on the Form I-20 to the DSO.

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