University of Massachusetts Amherst

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Students must be aware of and comply fully with the following:

  • You must maintain a valid passport at all times, unless exempt from passport requirements.
     
  • You must maintain a valid, unexpired I-20 or DS-2019 at all times. This includes correct level and major, current funding and correct personal data.
     
  • You must enroll in and attend classes. If you plan on taking a semester off, other than summer, you must submit the Leaving UMass Form to the International Programs Office (Visit 467 Hills South).
     
  • You must complete a full course of study during normal enrollment periods (fall & spring semesters). Please see the Maintaining Status/Enrollment page and Exceptions to Full-Time Enrollment to learn more.
     
  • You are only allowed to count 1 on-line course per semester toward your full-time status.
     
  • You must be enrolled for your courses by the beginning of each semester. The International Programs Office is required to report underenrollment to DHS (Department of Homeland Security). Any student who is underenrolled will be reported and will be considered out of status.
     
  • You must change your local U.S. address in SPIRE immediately when you move to a new local residence. Your address must be a street or residence hall address, and cannot be a Post Office Box. This information will then be sent electronically to DHS.
     
  • You must report any changes to  your home country address to the International Programs Office and we will update this for you in SPIRE.
     
  • If you change your name, you must report it to the Registrar's Office in person and provide legal documentation that reflects the name change. If the names of  your dependents change, please report this to IPO with documentation of the name chanage(s).
     
  • You must report any changes of status (to a different visa, citizenship, etc.) that indicate that you no longer need UMass visa sponsorship to the International Programs Office by completing the Leaving UMass Form, available online here. IPO is required to notify SEVIS of these changes.
     
  • You must check your UMass email daily to ensure you receive important notes from IPO and other departments on campus. You can forward your UMass emails to another email address. Click here to learn how.
     
  • If you plan to travel outside the U.S., be sure that your passport and the F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in your passport are both valid (not expired). You must also be sure that your I-20/DS-2019 form is valid and that you have an up-to-date signature on this form, either from an International Student Advisor at UMass, or, in the case of sponsored students, from your sponsor (IIE, LASPAU, Fullbright, etc.).
     
  • You must get permission from your department for an extension of your program of study at UMass prior to the expiration date on your I-20/DS-2019.
     
  • You must obtain a new I-20 or DS-2019 if you change your academic program from one degree level to another (e.g. Bachelor's to Master's level), or one major/field to another (e.g. Chemical Engineering to Physics). You must also obtain a new I-20 or DS-2019 form if your source of funding changes (e.g. from Scholarship to Parents).
     
  • If you wish to bring dependents in F-2 or J-2 status, you can request an I-20 or DS-2019 from IPO by submitting the Dependent I-20/DS-2019 Request Form.
     
  • You are NOT allowed to work in the U.S. without authorization. F-1 students are allowed to work on campus up to 20 hours per week when school is in session. J-1 students are only allowed to work on campus up to 20 hours a week with thier J-1 program sponsor's PRIOR authorization. Students may be allowed to work off-campus with appropriate authorization. An International Student Advisor can provide you with more information about your employment options. Click here for more information.
     
  • If  you transfer to another educational institution, you must notify IPO in advance of this transfer by completing the Transfer Out Form, available online here.
     
  • If you need to withdraw from classes, or are asked to leave the University, you must report this to IPO by submitting the Leaving UMass Form, available online here.
     
  • The normal grace period to remain in the U.S. following degree/program completion is 60 days for F-1 students and 30 days for J-1 students.