F-1 Grace Periods, Academic Suspension

15-Day Grace Period for Authorized Withdrawal

F-1 students who have been granted an authorized withdrawal by IA may remain in the U.S. for a grace period of up to 15 days following their date of withdrawal from Gallaudet, which is reported to the Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

However, if an F-1 student fails to notify IA about withdrawing from the University, and therefore does not obtain IA's approval through SEVIS, the student would be considered out of F-1 status under SEVIS regulations. Under these circumstances, the student would not be eligible for any grace period and must depart the United States immediately.

60-Day Post-Completion Grace Period

F-1 students may remain in the U.S. for up to 60 days beyond the following dates:

  • The completion date on Form I-20, or the completion of the program of study if earlier than the date on Form I-20.
  • The completion date of any authorized optional practical training following completion of studies.
  • The completion date of the previous semester for those F-1 students who didn't register for the following semester. (For example, a student who didn't register due to owing money to Gallaudet University.) Example: An F-1 student who completed fall semester 2018, which ended on December 15, 2018, and didn't register for the spring semester would be required to depart the United Stated no later than February 15, 2019.

60-Day Grace Period for Continuing at Gallaudet in a New Degree Program

F-1 students who are planning to begin a new degree program at Gallaudet after graduating from another program MUST have a new Form I-20 issued for the new program no later than the end of the 60-day grace period following the completion of the earlier program or the student will be out of status.

60-Day Grace Period for Transferring to a Different School for Another Program

F-1 students who are planning to begin a new degree program at another U.S. college or university after graduating from Gallaudet MUST contact IA no later than the end of their 60-day grace period and let them know which school they will be attending. IA will enter the information for the planned transfer to the new school into their electronic SEVIS record. Failure to report this information to IA by the end of a student's grace period will result in them being out of status.

F-1 Grace Periods - New Students

F-1 students may be admitted to the U.S. no more than 30 days before the "report date" or "program start date" indicated in SEVIS and on Form I-20.

Academic Suspension

F-1 students who are on academic suspension are not permitted to register for classes at Gallaudet. This, in turn, will impact their F-1 status. If a student's F-1 status is terminated, they must depart the United States immediately.

Change of Status from F-1 to B-2

If an F-1 student is placed on academic suspension, it is important for them NOT to use their I-20 Form (F-1 status) if they plan to return to the U.S. to continue their studies, because doing so could hurt their future opportunities. Instead, the Office of International Affairs (IA) advises these students to obtain a B-2 tourist visa, which allows to return to the U.S. for visits of up to six months.