IS

If you need more time to finish your program beyond the completion date on your Form I-20, you must apply for an Extension of Program before the completion date. We recommend that you apply no less than 30 days prior.

• Eligibility and Requirements
• You must not only be eligible to extend but must do so prior to your I-20 completion date, or you will be out of status and will be required to reinstate before you may continue your studies.
• To qualify, you must
  • be a nonimmigrant currently maintaining student status and are able to, and in good faith intending to, continue maintaining that status for the period in which the extension would be granted
  • be able to show that the delay was caused by compelling academic or medical reasons such as changes of major or research topics, loss of credits upon transfer to BYU, unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses—Delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extension.
• You may not extend and then immediately take vacation.
• Application Procedure
  1. Department Approval Letter
  • BYU Graduate or Undergraduate Student: Obtain a signed letter from your advisor on department letterhead stating your expected completion date and an explanation as to why it is taking longer to complete your program than the original completion date listed on your Form I-20.
  • ELC Student:
    
  • One Semester: Bring your receipt from the ELC showing proof of payment for your continuation.
  • More Than One Semester: Obtain a signed letter from Anna Bailey stating your eligibility to extend and your new completion date.
  2. Complete a “Request For New Form I-20”—Complete the request either on-line or at International Services.
  3. Proof of Finances—Obtain updated proof of finances if your current documents are more than three months old. This is evidence such as personal bank statements or letter from sponsor/affidavit of support with supporting documentation showing enough financial support for the duration of the requested extension. details

     Student and Sponsor Responsibilities When you apply to come to the U.S., you are required to provide verification of financial support for your first year so that you will have sufficient financial resources; the required amount is found on your Form I-20 or here. These funds may come from any dependable source(s), including scholarships, fellowships, sponsoring agencies, personal funds and funds from your family. While it is possible, after receiving approval, for you to be employed to provide some funds, your sponsor still bears primary responsibility for your financial support. International Services does not provide a list of potential sponsors.

     
     

     

     What is "Proof of Financial Support"?

     • USCIS requires that you document sufficient funding to meet your educational and living expenses at least for the first year of study and credible evidence of the source of funds for the remainder of your studies.

     • These funds may come from any dependable source(s), including scholarships, fellowships, sponsoring agencies, personal funds and funds from your family.

     When do I need to provide proof of support?

     You will be required to provide verification of financial support whenever you receive a new Form I-20 for the following reasons, providing that your last proof of finances is more than three months old:

     • Change of sponsor
     • Change of status
     • Addition or deletion of dependent(s)
     • Extension of program of study
     • Initial entry
     • Significant change in school expenses

     How much money do I need to document?

     The required minimum amount to be documented is the estimate of school expenses for one academic year (eight months); it is listed as Item 7 of your Form I-20.

     How do I provide proof of or document my financial support?

     • Obtain copies of documents showing the assets of you and your sponsor which equal the minimum required amount. These might include any of the following:
       • Bank records
       • Tax records
       • Stock certificates and evidence of the worth of the stock
       • Certifications for scholarships, fellowships, assistantships or other on-campus employment
       • Form I-134, Affidavit of Support
     • Provide the appropriate documentation to International Services when you make application for the situations listed in "When do I need to provide proof of support?" above.

     
     
     
     
  4. Submit Materials—Submit the materials for numbers 1, 2 and 3 to International Services for processing.
  5. New Form I-20—Once the application is approved, International Services will provide you with a new I-20 reflecting the extended date of completion. If you have dependents in F-2 status, they will also be provided new I-20s with your program extension date.