Graduation
An F-1 or J-1 student’s immigration status ends when they complete the requirements for their degree. The student will then enter into their grace period: 60 days for F-1 students or 30 days for J-1 students.
In order to receive your diploma at Portland State University, you will need to submit a degree application. Read more about applying for your degree at Portland State. Please note that this is different from Commencement, the formal graduation ceremony held by Portland State each year. Read more about participating in the Commencement ceremony.
When you complete your program before the Program End Date on your I-20 or DS-2019, that immigration document must be updated to reflect the earlier Program End Date. You will receive a notification email once the update is complete notifying you of the change and your options at that time.
If you are an F-1 student in your 60-day grace period, you have several options to continue your F-1 status. These options include applying for OPT, transferring to another school, and beginning a new degree program at Portland State. For more information on the last two options, please see Document Updates.
If you are a J-1 student, you also have options to continue your status. These options include applying for Academic Training, transferring to another school, and beginning a new degree program at Portland State at a higher level of study. For more information on the last two options, please see Document Updates. Unlike F-1 students, however, you must apply for Academic Training, transfer, or a change of educational level before the end of your final term of study and before entering your 30-day grace period.
If you have questions about graduation and its impact on your F-1 or J-1 status, you should consult with an OISSS advisor for assistance.
Leave of Absence
If you need to take a break from your studies, you may wish to request a leave of absence. This will allow you to pause your studies toward your degree, but requires that you leave the United States during that break in full-time study.
In most cases, no formal academic procedure is required for you to take a leave of absence from your studies if you are an undergraduate student. However, if you are a graduate student, you must request a leave of absence through your academic program, which must also be approved by the Graduate School.
You must request a leave of absence from OISSS so that your immigration record can be updated appropriately. Please contact an OISSS advisor for assistance with requesting a leave of absence.
If you are an F-1 student approved for a leave of absence, your I-20 will be terminated for “Authorized Early Withdrawal”. This shows that you maintained status and have decided to pause your studies. You must depart the United States within 15 calendar days of the approval of your leave of absence request by OISSS.
If you will return within 5 months of your departure from the United States, OISSS may be able to reactivate your I-20 to allow your return. If reactivation is not possible for any reason, you will have to request a new I-20.
If you are a J-1 student approved for a leave of absence, your DS-2019 Program End Date will be modified to reflect your last day of full-time study prior to the leave. You must depart the United States within 30 calendar days of the new Program End Date.
Unlike F-1 students, J-1 students returning from a leave of absence must receive a new DS-2019 to begin a new program as a J-1 Exchange Visitor. It is not possible to reactivate a student’s previous DS-2019 after a leave of absence.
Withdrawal and Departure
If you decide to withdraw from your program of study and return home permanently, you must request to have your SEVIS record ended. You should always request to end your student status before dropping classes for the current term. If you are considering this option, you should consult with an OISSS advisor for assistance.
If you are an F-1 student approved to withdraw from your F-1 status, your SEVIS record will be terminated for “Authorized Early Withdrawal”. As with the leave of absence process described above, you must depart the United States within 15 calendar days of the approval of your withdrawal.
If you are a J-1 student approved to withdraw from your J-1 status, the Program End Date on their DS-2019 will be updated to reflect the early end of your program as a J-1 Exchange Visitor. You must depart the United States within 30 days of the new Program End Date.