Frequently Asked Questions
Can I volunteer my time with a flight school as a flight instructor? No. This is considered unauthorized employment. Refer to the training section in the guide listed under CPT or OPT. I need one class to graduate. Can it be online? No. If you enroll in your final class online, you must depart the United States and take the course online from anywhere outside of the United States. You will not be eligible for any of the benefits like OPT. Your I-20 will be terminated for “authorized early withdrawal,” with an explanation that your last class was online. You have 15 days to depart the United States. If you want to stay in the United States to be eligible for OPT, then you must enroll in a classroom course while enrolled in the online class just to maintain your F-1 status and be eligible for OPT. Can I renew my visa in Mexico, Canada or the Bahamas? It is not recommended. You may have to stay in one of those countries for an extended period of time as the visa process may take time; or you may be refused. If your visa is expired, you will have to return home. How long can I stay in the United States after I have completed my degree? Do I have to apply for OPT to stay? Unless you have applied to another Embry-Riddle program, been accepted to study at another school or applied for full- time post degree completion OPT, you have a 60-day grace period following the final term end date to make your plans to depart the United States.
I did not register because I want to take this term off and now you have terminated my I-20. Why? Embry-Riddle Worldwide operates year-round; there is not a break for summer holidays. Students must be enrolled for one academic year (9 months/4 terms) before eligible for a holiday term. Holiday leave must be approved by the P/DSO. If you do not register for classes with the intent to request approval for a term off, your I-20 will be terminated for “failure to enroll.” You will need to contact your P/DSO. On a case-by-case basis, we can approve holiday terms sooner for students who transfer from other SEVIS- approved schools as long as they attend the next available term at Embry-Riddle Worldwide following completion at the other school. I have been busy with my flight training, and I cannot or do not want to attend class. The purpose of the F-1 visa is to study in the classroom and make progress towards degree completion; therefore, in- person attendance is required. Any outside flight training is considered vocational and recreational for the purpose of the F-1 visa. In order to maintain F-1 status, you must regularly attend and participate in the classroom. I am almost degree complete, but haven’t finished my flight ratings. Am I eligible to graduate? You do not need flight ratings to graduate. Enroll in the classes required to fulfill the “area of concentration” to give you time to complete your ratings. You are allowed up to three program extensions if you cannot complete your program from the original date on your I-20, after which you will have to change your status to M-1 with the flight school to complete your ratings.
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