REMINDERS FOR F-1 STUDENTS

F-1 Reduced Course Loads: All F-1 students must maintain full-time status (minimum of 12 credit hours) unless approved for an ISSS Reduced Course Load (RCL) or ISSS Medical Reduced Course Load.

- 1. Submit a Grainger Underload request via Engineering Advising website.
- 2. Submit an ISSS, RCL iSTART request.
- 3. Allow up to 15 business days for review or approval of iSTART requests.
- Learn more here: https://advising.grainger.illinois.edu/course-registration/overload-underload

Grainger F-1, Degree Seeking International Students:

Important reminders are below. For additional F-1 Visa, I-20, or iSTART inquiries, contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS): https://isss.illinois.edu/

10th Day Under enrollment and F-1 Visa Compliance: All F-1 undergraduate students must be registered full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours) or be approved for a Grainger Underload and ISSS Reduced Course Load (or ISSS Medical Reduced Course Load) by the 10^th day of classes.
F-1 iSTART Requests: Choose “Engineering Undergraduate” as the approver for all requests EXCEPT CPT. Allow up to 15 business days for review or approval of iSTART requests. Additional time may be needed for administrative processes.
F-1 Change of Status: 1. Complete ISSS iSTART request. 2. Allow up to 15 business days for review or approval of iSTART requests. Learn more here: https://isss.illinois.edu/students/studforms.html
F-1 Resuming Studies/Re-entry: 1. Submit an ISSS iSTART request. iSTART requests will not be reviewed until AFTER approval of Grainger College re-entry. 2. Complete a College UPO Re-entry/Resuming Studies Request. 3. Wait for review and approval via UPO welcome letter. 4. Allow up to 15 business days for iSTART review after College re-entry welcome letter. Learn more here: https://advising.grainger.illinois.edu/course-registration/readmission-resuming-studies
F-1 Program Extensions: F-1 Program Extensions are not designed for additional majors, minors, research, internship, or post-graduate opportunities. 1. Meet with UPO Records Coordinators, Bob Porter or Jamie Hannah via EXPRESS ADVISING for graduation/DARS review. 2. Submit an ISSS iSTART request. 3. Allow up to 15 business days for review or approval of iSTART requests. Learn more here: https://isss.illinois.edu/students/studforms.html
F-1 Reduced Course Loads: All F-1 students must maintain full-time status (minimum of 12 credit hours) unless approved for an ISSS Reduced Course Load (RCL) or ISSS Medical Reduced Course Load. 1. Submit a Grainger Underload request (for graduating seniors completing degree requirements) via Engineering Advising website. F-1 students must be in final graduating term unless approved by ISSS for a Medical Reduced Course Load. 2. Submit an ISSS, RCL iSTART request. 3. Allow up to 15 business days for review or approval of iSTART requests. Learn more here: https://advising.grainger.illinois.edu/course-registration/overload-underload
F-1 Medical Reduced Course Loads: All F-1 students must maintain full-time status (minimum of 12 credit hours) unless approved for an ISSS Reduced Course Load (RCL) or ISSS Medical Reduced Course Load. 1. Contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for review and approval. Learn more here: https://isss.illinois.edu/students/f1j1/index.html
ENG 310 or Curricula Practical Training (CPT) Internships: 1. BEFORE applying, watch online ISSS Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Workshop for F-1 Students. 2. Upload proof of ENG 310 in ISSS iSTART application. 3. Review CPT guidelines, and complete request. 4. Department Chief Advisors are liaisons for CPT approval. Wait for review and approval. 5. Contact Dean Emad Jassim or email: engineering@illinois.edu for additional ENG 310 or CPT inquiries. Learn more here: https://grainger.illinois.edu/academics/graduate/cpt
F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT): 1. BEFORE applying, watch virtual ISSS Optional Practical Training (OPT)/OPT STEM Extension Workshop for F-1 Students. 2. Review OPT guidelines, and submit iSTART request. 3. Allow up to 15 business days for review or approval of iSTART requests. Learn more here: https://isss.illinois.edu/students/employment/f1opt.html
Undergraduate Withdrawals or Cancellation: 1. Meet with a Grainger UPO College Advisor or Dean via Express Advising or scheduled appointment. Learn more here: https://advising.grainger.illinois.edu/course-registration/withdrawals
NOTE: For additional F-1 Visa, I-20, or iSTART inquiries, students should contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS): https://isss.illinois.edu/

End of Term Outreach for Grainger F-1 International Students:

Graduating Seniors: CONGRATULATIONS graduating seniors and students transitioning to new opportunities! Stay encouraged, in your journey!

F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT): Contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for more information.
- IMPORTANT REMINDERS – F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT): Choose “Engineering Undergraduate” as the approver for all requests EXCEPT CPT. 1. Review ISSS OPT guidelines. 2. Submit iSTART OPT request. 3. Allow up to 15 business days for review or approval of iSTART requests. Learn more here: https://isss.illinois.edu/students/employment/f1opt.html
UIUC Technology Services: Learn about IT/TechServices after graduation. Contact UIUC Technology Services for questions, answers, and more information here: https://techservices.illinois.edu/
Engineering Career Services (ECS): Learn more about Engineering Career Services and opportunities here: https://ecs.grainger.illinois.edu/
UIUC The Career Center (TCC): Learn more about campus-wide career resources for international students here: https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/INTLconnect

Academic or Medical Leave: Students transitioning or transferring from the University of Illinois for academic or medical leave or Withdrawal should contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) as soon as possible.

Stay encouraged, throughout your leave or transition! Contact Engineering College and Department Advisors here: https://advising.grainger.illinois.edu/
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS): Contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for updates and questions about F-1 Visa status, UIUC resuming studies/re-entry, or transferring from the University of Illinois.
UIUC Technology Services: Contact UIUC Technology Services for questions, answers, and more information on IT Services after graduating, leaving, or transferring from the University of Illinois. Learn more here: https://techservices.illinois.edu/
Resuming Studies/Readmission/Re-entry in Graining Engineering: Learn more here: https://advising.grainger.illinois.edu/course-registration/readmission-resuming-studies
- Complete Grainger Engineering Readmission/Re-entry processes.
- Complete campus-wide International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Resuming Studies processes.
- If applicable, complete campus-wide Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) re-entry processes.
- IMPORTANT REMINDERS – F-1 Resuming Studies/Re-entry: Choose “Engineering Undergraduate” as the approver for all requests EXCEPT CPT. 1. Submit an ISSS iSTART request. iSTART requests will not be reviewed until AFTER approval of Grainger College re-entry. 2. Complete a College UPO Re-entry/Resuming Studies Request. 3. Wait for review and approval via UPO welcome letter. 4. Allow up to 15 business days for iSTART review after College re-entry welcome letter. Learn more here: https://advising.grainger.illinois.edu/course-registration/readmission-resuming-studies
- UIUC Counseling Center: Contact the campus-wide Counseling Center and Grainger Engineering liaisons for resources and support. Learn more here: http://counselingcenter.illinois.edu/

Campus-wide ISSS Reminders:

International Student and Scholars Services (ISSS)

Enhanced Advising Options: ISSS is now offering virtual advising sessions!
- Express Advising: Mondays and Fridays from 1:30pm-3:30pm CST.
- For more information and log in accessibility, please visit the ISSS calendar.
Expedite Requests: ISSS cannot honor expedite requests.
F-1 students interested in off-campus work authorization: Visit the ISSS website for additional information including recorded off campus work authorization workshops. Be sure to watch relevant workshops before applying for CPT, OPT, or the OPT STEM Extension.
International student travel: If you will travel internationally during your program, you are required to have a valid travel signature on your most recent I-20/DS-2019 document when you reenter the United States.
Please check the ISSS website for more information on F-1 / J-1 travel

Academic Outreach for Fall 2024, Grainger F-1 International Students:

Early Academic Outreach is in progress for Grainger Engineering students enrolled during Fall 2022! Early Outreach is designed as a pro-active, academic intervention to support student success. Students are encouraged to meet with Grainger Engineering Department Chief Advisors or a College Undergraduate Programs Office (UPO) Advisor or Dean to share academic updates, resources, and opportunities. College UPO Advising is available Monday-Friday via Express Advising or scheduled appointments. Meet with Department or College Advisors here: https://advising.grainger.illinois.edu/advising/meeting