Change of Education Level
It is not uncommon for students to begin a new degree program at UofM after completing their current degree program or once their F-1 work benefits have ended. The process of finishing one degree program and starting a new one at UofM is known as a Change of Education Level. A Change of Education Level allows students to smoothly transition from one UofM degree program to another while keeping the same SEVIS ID.
Request Change of Education Level
- Submit a Change of Education Level form in the ISS portal. This form requires:
- Proof of funding
- Acceptance letter for new degree program
- Copy of Visa and Passport
- You will receive a Change of Education Level I-20 for your new degree program
Timeline for Change of Education Level
Students should be mindful of the timeline below. Failure to complete the necessary steps in a timely matter may require students to depart the US, repay the I-901 fee, and possibly reapply for a new F-1 visa.
- F-1 students are given a 60-day grace period, which begins the day after your I-20 program end date or the day after your OPT end date. You can read more about the 60-day grace period here.
- Students who plan to begin a new degree program at UofM after finishing their current
program must do the following BEFORE or DURING their 60-day grace period:
- Apply for and receive admission to another degree program at UofM that starts within 5 months (Ex: If your current program ends in May, your new program must begin before October)
- Submit a Change of Education Level form in the ISS portal
- Receive Change of Education Level I-20 for new degree program
A Change of Education Level I-20 will have your new degree program’s information and dates. Your SEVIS ID will remain the same. Your Change of Education Level I-20 is important because it allows you to remain inside the US between the time in which your old program has ended and your new program starts. Your SEVIS record will be in “Initial status” until the first day of classes in your new program has arrived and you have been registered in SEVIS. Once your new record is in “Active Status,” the ISS office will issue an I-20 that shows “Continued Attendance.”
What happens if I do not receive a Change of Education Level I-20 before my 60-day grace period ends?
In this case, you will need to depart the U.S., apply for an initial I-20 with a new SEVIS ID, pay the I-901 fee, and reenter the U.S. using your new initial I-20. You may have to apply for a new F-1 visa and should contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country for further information.
What if my new degree program starts in more than 5 months?
F-1 regulations require a student’s new program to begin within 5 months of the date their old program ends in order to remain inside the US, keep the same SEVIS ID, and receive a Change of Education Level I-20. If your new program begins more than 5 months from the date your old program ended, you will need to depart the U.S. and apply for an initial I-20 with a new SEVIS ID.
What if my new program is at another US school?
A Change of Education Leval can only be done in SEVIS for students who are beginning a new program at the same school. If you are beginning a new program at another US school, you will need to have your F-1 record transferred. Please read more about the F-1 transfer process here.
Change of Education Level and Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Students who plan to apply for a new degree program at UofM after their OPT/STEM OPT period must receive their new I-20 before or during their 60-day grace period, which begins the day after their OPT/STEM OPT end date printed on EAD.
Students who plan to begin a new degree program in the middle of their OPT/STEM OPT period will have their OPT authorization cancelled on the first day of their new program. Students cannot be on OPT/STEM OPT and enrolled in a degree program simultaneously.