If you are unable to complete your degree program within the time period indicated on the admission I-20, you may request a program extension if the delay is caused by compelling academic or medical reasons:
- Illness (requires medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist)
- Change in major field of study
- Change in research topic
- Unexpected research problems
- Annual extension (only applicable to students in J-1 status)
How to Apply
To request a program extension, submit the Extend Program Request for Students in F-1 and J-1 Status form.
Your program extension application will require that you submit Proof of Financial Support for the extension period or one year, whichever is less. A breakdown of your cost of attendance can be found at International Student Cost of Attendance. A list of acceptable funding documents are outlined on page 1.
Funding for Graduate students: Read before submitting your request for a Program Extension
For Graduate students a department funding letter alone is often not sufficient. Departmental funding frequently does not meet the total amount that must be demonstrated for a program extension. Most graduate students should expect to provide additional proof of funding along with their department funding letter.
1. Gather all funding documents that will be used to support your extension request, such as department funding letters, assistantship letters, stipend letters, tuition waivers, sponsor letters, and bank statement
2. Determine how much funding you will need to demonstrate for your program extension by calculating your estimated cost of attendance:
- To determine how much funding you must demonstrate, review page 1 of your Form I-20 and locate your Academic Term Length (9 Months or 12 Months) in the Financials section. Then, in the Graduate table on page 2 of the International Student Cost of Attendance, find the column that matches your Academic Term Length (9 Months or 12 Months). The total shown is your estimated Cost of Attendance.
3. Compare the funding provided by your department and other sources to the required Cost of Attendance. If your funding documents do not cover the full amount required for your extension period, you will need to submit additional proof of funding for the remaining balance.
Deadlines and Program Extension Eligibility
Your application for extension MUST be made prior to the completion date on your I-20. Your academic advisor will be required to certify that the delay in completing program requirements was caused by a compelling academic or medical reason, and that you are making progress toward completion of your degree.
If your delay in completing your program is not for one of the reasons discussed above, or if you do not apply prior to the completion date on your I-20, you will be considered to be out-of-status and must apply for reinstatement.
