Dear International Graduate Students,
We are reaching out with an important policy update that will impact those who are planning to graduate during or after Fall Quarter 2026 and are considering filing fee in lieu of registration as an ISEO Reduced Course Load option.
Beginning Fall Quarter 2026, ISEO’s Filing Fee Reduced Course Load will no longer be an available Reduced Course Load option for international graduate students to maintain their F-1 or J-1 status. Federal visa regulations require active enrollment or specified authorized categories of leave to maintain legal non-immigrant F-1 or J-1 status.
Students who elect to pay a Filing Fee in Lieu of Registration in their graduation term are not enrolled and therefore must pursue one of their grace period options in order to maintain their F-1 or J-1 status. I-20 or DS-2019 program end date will be determined by the final day of the quarter in which you were last enrolled, or the last day of GEPA –approved on-campus employment during the quarter you were last enrolled, whichever is later.
What does this mean for those planning to graduate during Fall Quarter 2026 or later?
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Students will need to confirm their last term of enrollment and last day of on-campus GEPA-approved employment (if applicable) with their department. Once these are confirmed by the department, students can use whichever date is latest as their program end date (quarter end-date of final term of enrollment *OR* last day of GEPA-approved, on-campus employment). This Program End Date will determine their grace period and timeline for actions such as OPT (F-1) and Academic Training (J-1).
How do I maintain my F-1 or J-1 status during the quarter I complete my defense?
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Enroll: You may either continue full-time enrollment (12 units) or have an alternative ISEO-approved status (such as an authorized Reduced Course Load of at least 1 unit of enrollment) to keep your I-20 or DS-2019 active/registered.
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If you are on Filing Fee (no enrollment): You must apply for OPT (F-1) or Academic Training (J-1) based on your program end date, which is your last date of enrollment or the last day of required on-campus employment, whichever is latest.
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Utilize your Grace Period: Even if your I-20 or DS-2019 is shortened to your last quarter of enrollment, you may remain in the U.S. during your respective authorized grace period, and use your grace period time to finish your final degree requirements (defense, comprehensive exam, etc.)
Is Filing Fee in Lieu of Registration still an option?
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YES. International graduate students may still be eligible to pay a Filing Fee in Lieu of Registration during their graduation term, under the circumstances described on GEPA’s Filing Fee information page. To be eligible to pay a filing fee in lieu of registration, students must have completed all degree requirements except for the final defense or comprehensive examination. However, if you choose this option and want to keep your F-1 or J-1 SEVIS record Active, you must pursue Option #2 or #3 above.
We understand this may impact your academic planning this fall. We encourage all students who are considering a Filing Fee in Lieu of Registration for the Fall 2026 quarter and beyond to discuss your academic plan with your department and consult with an ISEO advisor as needed.
Sincerely,
International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO)
