student handbook - Baton Rouge Community College

Maintaining F-1 StudentVisa StatusA student entering the United Stateson an F-1 student visa agrees to adhereto certain immigration rules.Violations of these rules can resultin deportation and could affect thestudent’s ability to re-enter the UnitedStates. To maintain F-1 student status:1. International students must register for - and be enrolled in - aminimum of 12 credit hours (full-time status) for both fall andspring semesters. International students can opt to enroll in thesummer term and take fewer than 12 semester hours (unless thesummer term is their first term of enrollment). There are no ex cusedabsences; international students should contact their instruc torif they are going to miss a class. When an international studentcompletes his/her program of study at BRCC, he/she can stay in theUnited States up to 60 days, or re-enroll and enter a new program ofstudy at the college.2. International students are only eligible to work for a maximumof 20 hours per week on campus. To work off-campus, astudent must obtain authorization from U.S. Citizenship andImmigration Services (USCIS). Working off-campus without priorUSCIS authorization can result in revocation of a student’s F-1 visaclassification.3. A passport must be kept valid. To renew an expiring passport, astudent should contact the embassy of the country of origin, or theOffice of International Services. The Office for International Servicescan assist the student in renewing a passport.4. An I-20 must be kept valid. International students should check the“Completion of Studies Date” (item #5 on the I-20). If the I-20 expires,a student should immediately contact the International StudentAdvisor in the Office of International Services. Attendance at BRCCrequires that an I-20 with a current completion date be presented atthe Office of Enrollment Services at the time of enrollment.7