Leave of Absence and Withdrawal

Students may want to take a Leave of Absence or Withdraw from the University at some point during their program. This decision is up to the student, but ISSS recommends that students talk to an ISSS advisor before filing the needed form with the Registrar's Office so they are aware of the immigration related consequences.

Leave of Absence

Students who need to take a break from their studies for personal or other reasons, but intend to return to USF within one year, can file a Leave of Absence with the Registrar. Filing a Leave of Absence will hold your place for one year. After that you would need to reapply to return to USF. International students who decide to take a Leave of Absence, should make an appointment with one of the ISSS advisor to discuss your plans. The following steps outline the typical Leave of Absence procedure, but it is best to speak with an ISSS advisor to discuss your particular case before submitting the form to Student Enrollment Services:

  1. Turn in the Leave of Absence form to the Registrar's Office. You can find the form on their website. Students who file a Leave of Absence will need to leave the United States within 15 days of turning the form into the Registrar.
  2. ISSS will terminate your current SEVIS record based on the day you are supposed to depart the United States and notify you once this has happened. After we have terminated your record you will not be able to use your I-20 to re-enter, unless otherwise notified by ISSS.
  3. To return to USF you will need to submit a new Certificate of Finances (Graduate or Undergraduate) and pay the Express Mail fee online (if international mailing is required). ISSS will create you a new I-20 and mail it to the address provided on the I-20/DS-2019 Request Form. You will be able to re-enter the United States up to 30 days before the start of the term you are returning for, and no earlier.
  4. Once you have re-entered the United States, bring your stamped I-20/DS-2019, your passport, visa, I-94 and local address to ISSS within one week of classes starting.

Please note that ISSS uses your USF e-mail address to communicate while you are taking a Leave of Absence. It is very important that you check your USF e-mail regularly while you are on Leave of Absence. Also, if you are taking a Leave of Absence that is less than 5 months check with ISSS about getting your I-20 before you leave the United States.

Withdrawal

If you have decided to withdraw from USF before completing your program, you will need to submit the Withdraw form to the Registrar. You can find the form on their website. ISSS will need to terminate your SEVIS record once you have withdrawn and will notify you that your record has been terminated. ISSS recommends meeting with an advisor before submitting the form so that you can be clear about the implications and the time you will have to leave the United States.