⚠️ End of Duration of Status (D/S): DHS published a final rule on July 17, 2026 that is scheduled to take effect September 15, 2026. For F and J entrants subject to the new rule, admission will use a fixed period based on the applicable program/admission rules and capped at four years. Students already in the United States in D/S on September 15 have transition provisions, so the new rule should not be described as every current student simply receiving the same four-year deadline. Implementation guidance and transition rules should be checked before making program, travel, or extension decisions.
💼 Standard Compliance: You must maintain a valid Form I-20. On-campus work is capped at 20 hours/week during academic terms. Off-campus work is strictly prohibited unless authorized via CPT or OPT.
GPA & Profile Screening Indicator
Input your U.S. equivalent GPA (4.0 scale) and TOEFL score to evaluate admission screening indicators.
F-1 Student Visa & Employment Authorization
To study in the U.S., you need the appropriate student status and documentation. Beginning September 15, 2026, a new DHS fixed-admission framework is scheduled to replace D/S for F and J entrants subject to the rule. Students already present in the U.S. on September 15 may be covered by transition provisions.
- Fixed Admission Framework: For students subject to the new rule, the admission period is determined under the applicable fixed-period rules and is capped at four years. Transition rules apply to certain students already in the United States.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Off-campus work authorization for internships directly related to your major. Must be authorized by DSO on I-20 before starting. Accumulating one year or more of full-time CPT eliminates post-completion OPT eligibility at that educational level.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): Can provide up to 12 months of employment authorization for qualifying F-1 students. Post-completion OPT may be filed up to 90 days before, but no later than 60 days after, the program end date, subject to the DSO filing rule.
- STEM OPT Extension: Eligible graduates with qualifying STEM degrees may receive an additional 24 months of OPT. The employer must satisfy E-Verify requirements and the student must complete the required STEM training-plan and filing process.
🔄 Pre-Entry University Switch (After Visa Issued)
If you were issued an F-1 visa for one school but plan to attend a different SEVP-certified school before entering the United States, do not rely solely on the school name printed on the visa. Coordinate with the new school to obtain the correct Form I-20 and ensure the SEVIS record is properly handled before travel. Whether a new visa is required depends on the circumstances and the validity/accuracy of the existing visa and documents.
- 1. Secure the New I-20: Apply for and obtain the new Form I-20 from the university you plan to attend.
- 2. Confirm SEVIS handling with the new school: Work with the new school's DSO to ensure the correct SEVIS record/I-20 is issued or transferred. Do not assume a separate I-901 fee payment or transfer request is required in every situation.
- 3. Carry the correct entry documents: Travel with your passport, valid F-1 visa when applicable, the current Form I-20 for the school you intend to attend, and any other documentation the new school/CBP instructions require.
- 4. Entry inspection: CBP determines admissibility at the port of entry. Additional questioning may occur, but secondary inspection is not an automatic consequence of changing schools.
Assistantships & Expat Funding
Most U.S. universities do not offer need-based federal financial aid (FAFSA) to international students. Instead, funding is secured through institutional merit and research grants:
- Graduate Assistantships (TA/RA): Teaching and Research Assistantships can provide tuition remission, a stipend, or both. Coverage amounts, stipend levels, appointment length, and required workload vary by university and department.
- Fellowships: Merit- or need-based awards can provide partial or full tuition support and/or a stipend, often without teaching duties. Eligibility and coverage vary by program.
- External Scholarships: Programs such as Fulbright and other private or nonprofit awards may support international students, but eligibility, citizenship, field, degree level, and destination restrictions vary by program.
Tuition Costs & In-State Waivers
U.S. public universities commonly distinguish resident and nonresident tuition, but eligibility for a resident rate is determined under state law and institutional rules. International students are not automatically subject to one nationwide tuition classification.
- State tuition exceptions: Some states provide special tuition classifications or exemptions for particular immigration categories and for students who satisfy state attendance/graduation or residency criteria. California AB 540, Texas residency rules, and New Jersey rules for certain H-4 dependent children are examples, but their requirements are not identical.
- U.S.-India treaty: Article 21 provides specific benefits to qualifying students and apprentices, including certain foreign-source maintenance/education payments and specified exemptions or relief under paragraph 2. Treaty eligibility depends on the student's facts and the treaty's conditions; it is not a generic exemption for all student wages or scholarships.
NACES (WES/ECE) Degree Evaluations
Some U.S. universities, employers, and licensing bodies require a third-party credential evaluation for foreign education, while others evaluate international transcripts internally. Always check the specific institution or licensing body's instructions before ordering an evaluation.
- NACES Members: NACES is a professional association of independent credential-evaluation organizations. WES and ECE are examples of credential-evaluation providers; whether a particular provider is accepted depends on the institution or licensing body.
- Evaluation Types: Course-by-course reports are commonly used for transfer and graduate admissions, but the required report type varies. Do not order a report until the receiving institution confirms what it requires.
Important Scope Note
This guide is an educational overview for prospective and current international students. U.S. university admissions, tuition classifications, financial aid, and transcript evaluations are determined by individual institutions, state laws, and evaluating bodies.
Immigration status, F-1 CPT/OPT work authorization, SEVIS transfers, and federal tax treaty provisions are governed by federal statutes and regulations. Always check official university and DHS/USCIS guidelines for current procedures.
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Transfer Money with WiseStandardized Exams
- SAT / ACT: Requirements vary by undergraduate institution; some schools are test-optional.
- GRE / GMAT: Requirements vary by graduate program. Some programs require them, others make them optional or do not use them.
- TOEFL / IELTS / other English tests: English-proficiency requirements and minimum scores vary by institution and program. There is no nationwide TOEFL 90 / IELTS 6.5 requirement.
Admissions Checklist
- Academic Transcripts.
- Credential evaluation, if required by the institution or program.
- Required test scores, if applicable.
- Statement of Purpose or other essays, if required.
- Recommendation letters, in the number and format required by the program.
- Financial Solvency Proof (for I-20).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Have questions about F-1 visa eligibility, NACES evaluations, or CPT/OPT rules?
⬆️ Refer to FAQ Section Above