On This Page: Program Extensions • Shortening Your I-20
For immigration purposes, your program end date is the date that you complete your degree requirements, not the date of your graduation ceremony or degree conferral.
Undergraduate students and masters students with coursework in your final term:
- The last day of final exams week for the last semester or session you are enrolled (review the Academic Calendar for the exact dates).
- For enrollment requirements in your final semester, including completion during summer or winter sessions, review Full-Time Enrollment.
Doctoral students and masters students with thesis or master's report:
- The date you submit the final version of your dissertation or thesis (with revisions) to the Graduate College.
- If you submit your dissertation or thesis by the submission deadline on the Graduate College website, your end date will be the last day of exams week of that semester.
Program Extensions
Request a program extension if you will not complete your degree by your I-20 or DS-2019 end date.
You should submit your request during the final semester or session before your I-20 or DS-2019 expires, and at least 3 weeks before your I-20 or DS-2019 end date. Extensions can be granted for up to 1 year at a time. If you must apply for more than one extension, we will consider the reasons for past extensions when reviewing your eligibility for additional extensions. Program extensions cannot be granted for the sole purpose of Grade Replacement Opportunity (GRO) if a higher grade is not required for graduation.
Instructions
Submit the Program Extension e-form:
- Enter the name and email address for your academic advisor so they can confirm your degree completion date and the reason for the extension.
- If you have more than one major, submit the Secondary Advisor Information e-form.
- Upload proof of funding (review the financial guarantee requirement for the required amount).
- If you are submitting funding from family or friends, upload a signed Declaration of Support.
- If you are receiving departmental funding, you can either upload a copy of your departmental funding letter or your academic advisor can provide the funding information in the advisor portion of the e-form.
Normal processing time is 10 business days.
Receiving an Incomplete or Failing Grade in Your Final Term
If you are concerned that you may receive an incomplete or failing grade in your final term, it is important to speak with an international student advisor before your I-20 or DS-2019 end date.
In most cases, we cannot extend your I-20 or DS-2019 solely for the purpose of completing an incomplete grade if you are not enrolling in classes. If you find yourself in this situation, meet with an international student advisor as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Shortening Your I-20
Shorten your I-20 if you will complete your degree before your I-20 end date.
Instructions
Submit the Shorten Program e-form:
- Enter the name and email address for your academic advisor so they can confirm your degree completion date.
- If you have more than one major, submit the Secondary Advisor Information e-form.
- Indicate whether you want a new I-20 after your program end date is shortened in SEVIS.
Normal processing time is 10 business days.
If you are submitting another request that requires information from your academic advisor (for example, CPT or OPT) then you do not need to also submit the Shorten Program e-form. Your advisor will be able to confirm your program end date as part of the other e-form request.