F-1 Students and the USCIS

International students are responsible for knowing the expectations of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Although there will be a session pertaining to this during USF orientation, students hold the responsibility for staying in status. An excellent resource for learning about status requirements is Study in the States: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov

You are encouraged to contact the Director of International Education at international@usiouxfalls.edu with any questions regarding any Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) related issues.

Important guidelines are listed below:

  1. As an F-1 student, your first obligation is to be a full-time student at the University of Sioux Falls. To maintain status, it is important to do the following:
    • Enroll as a full-time student: 12 semester hours for undergraduate students; 9 semester hours for graduate students.
    • Attend class: Being registered for class is not enough. You must attend regularly to maintain status. Students who are not attending class run the risk of falling out of status.
    • Never take more than one online course per semester.
    • Never violate employment regulations.
  2. If you plan to change your major, please see the Director of International Education for a Change of Major form.
  3. If you are struggling with your classes, please see the Director of International Education. In certain instances you may be eligible for a reduced course load. Please note that a reduced course load is short term and may be denied.
  4. If you change your address, you are required to report the address change to the Director of International Education within five business days.
  5. See the following website for a complete discussion of issues involving student status: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/maintain-your-status.
  6. Check your I-94 record for accuracy. Go to https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/ to do so.
  7. If you need assistance of any kind, please contact the Director of International Education. Your well-being is highly important.

REMEMBER: Students are solely responsible for staying in status. Please familiarize yourself with the regulations.