Maintain Your Status

In order to maintain status, F-1 students must be enrolled full-time for each fall and spring semester. Enrollment in summer sessions is not required, unless a student begins study at OJC in the summer. For all undergraduates this means enrolling in at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring.

EXCEPTIONS: There are some exceptions to full-time enrollment that are designed to assist students, but all exceptions need to be authorized by the International Relations Office before you drop below full-time.

Examples of exceptions:

1. a student in his final semester of coursework who does not need a full load in order to complete degree requirements;
2. a first-semester student who is advised by an academic advisor to take less than a full load of courses due to language difficulties or unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods;
3. a student who must drop a class because they were placed in an incorrect level;
4. a student who is advised by a doctor to under-enroll due to a severe medical condition.

Dropping below full-time without authorization from the International Relations Office is a violation of your F-1 status! If you are thinking about dropping below full-time, call the International Relations Office at 384-6805 and set up an appointment to talk about your options before you drop.

Be aware of the grace periods associated with your status. For F-1 Students:

1. You have a 60-day grace period following the completion of your degree program and following the completion of your Optional Practical Training (if applicable).
2. If you are dismissed from Otero Junior College, you have a 21-day grace period beginning the day you are dismissed. (This date is found on the letter that you receive from the College regarding your dismissal.) During this time you must either apply for a change of immigration status, transfer to a different school, or depart the U.S.
3. If you receive authorization from the International Relations Office to withdraw from all classes, you have a 15-day grace period during which you must depart the U.S.
4. If you withdraw from all classes without first receiving authorization from the International Relations Office, you have no grace period and must depart the U.S. immediately.

All international students must have permission either from the International Relations Office or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before they begin working. Click here for more detailed information about your employment options.

1. F-1 students are automatically authorized to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week total while school is in session by the USCIS. During vacation periods (spring, summer, and winter breaks), they may work full-time on campus. Please read the OJC International Student Hourly Employment Policy for details about working on-campus at OJC if funding exists.
2. To work off-campus, you must apply for and receive authorization before beginning to work.
3. Keep in mind that tutoring, internships, accompanying for a recital, and working for your professor a few hours a week are all considered employment and require authorization in most cases!
4. F-2 dependents may not work.

Providing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with an update of your new address in the U.S. every time you move is required by law (see citation below). Each time you move, within ten (10) days of moving (even within La Junta!), you are required to update the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with your new address. As an international student, your change of address must be submitted to the International Relations Office, who must update your address in SEVIS.  You should also update your address via MyOJC.

As an F-1 student, this is a fairly easy process. Submit your change of information to the International Programs Office online and we will then submit your address change to USCIS through SEVIS or you can complete the AR-11 and submit it to the International Relations Office.

While you are on OPT (Optional Practical Training), you are still required to update your address within ten (10) days of moving, each time you move.

Keep your passport valid at all times! If your passport will expire soon, you need to contact your Embassy to inquire about the procedure for extension.