You are required to finish your program of study by the completion date on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you will not graduate by that date, you must apply for a program extension at least 30 days before your I-20/DS-2019 will expire.
Eligibility
- You must have continuously maintained valid F-1 or J-1 status.
- You must have compelling academic or medical reasons, such as a change of major or research topic, unexpected research problems, or documented illness.
- You will need to provide financial documents showing sufficient funding for the period of the extension.
- You must submit a completed application for a program extension at least 30 days before the end date on your I-20 or DS-2019.
Delays caused by academic probation or suspension are NOT acceptable reasons for program extension approval. Employment is generally not a valid reason for extension unless the internship or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is necessary to complete degree requirements.
How to apply
Gather the required academic and/or medical documentation
- Meet with your academic advisor to complete the Academic Advisor’s Recommendation Form. You will complete the top portion of the form, and your advisor must complete the rest of the form and sign it.
- If your extension request is due to medical reasons, gather documentation from your doctor or psychologist to support the need for a program extension.
Gather the required financial documentation
Gather financial documents showing that you have sufficient funds to pay for tuition, fees, health insurance, and living expenses for yourself and any dependents for the duration of the extension. If your funding will be provided by a friend or family member, they will need to write and sign a letter of support in addition to providing a copy of their bank statement. All financial documents must clearly show the full name of the account holder, bank name, date, account number, current balance, and the currency.
The table below includes sample expense estimates for different programs and extension lengths for the current academic year. The specific estimated expenses for your extension may vary depending on your academic program, the length of time needed, and the number of credits remaining to complete your degree.
| Level and Credits | Full Year | Fall | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate – 12+ credits | $53,200 | $28,100 | $25,100 | $18,800 |
| Undergraduate – 6 credits | N/A | $20,000 | $17,000 | $11,700 |
| Graduate – 12 credits | $49,000 | $26,200 | $23,200 | $17,600 |
| Graduate – 9 credits | $42,400 | $22,900 | $19,900 | $14,300 |
| Graduate – 1 credit | $22,500 | $13,000 | $10,000 | $5,600 |
| MBA Graduate – 12 credits | $49,300 | $26,400 | $23,400 | $18,300 |
| MBA Graduate – 9 credits | $42,900 | $23,000 | $20,000 | $14,900 |
| MBA Graduate – 1 credit | N/A | $13,000 | $10,000 | $5,700 |
Submit the Extension of Stay Request to ISSS
You must submit the Extension of Stay Request e-form online. You will need to upload the required documentation in order to submit the e-form.
If you are not sure of the amount of funding you need to show, submit the e-form with financial documentation based on the estimates above, and an ISSS advisor will email you if additional proof of funding is needed. All required financial documents must be received and processed BEFORE the end date on your I-20 or DS-2019.
ISSS will review and process your request
- You will receive an email from ISSS when your request has been reviewed. Please note that ISSS processing time may be 7-10 business days.
- If your request is approved, ISSS will email you a new I-20 or DS-2019. You will need to print your new I-20 or DS-2019 and sign it at the bottom of page 1. Be sure to keep all old I-20s or DS-2019s for your records.
If you have any questions, you may contact the ISSS advising team at intlext@binghamton.edu.