To remain in valid F-1 immigration status, student must enroll full-time (12 credit hours for undergraduate student, and 9 credit hours for graduate student) each required semester. If a student need to take off a required semester, abruptly end their studies, or depart the US for an emergency, they may request permission for an Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW).

Authorized Early Withdrawal allows student to temporarily suspend their immigration status while they are outside the US. Students with an approved AEW must depart the US within 15 days of the AEW approval. 

The Trinity Office of the Registrar will notify ISSS if a student is approved for withdrawal. ISSS Office will send an email to notify the student. 

Instructions:    

If student will be outside the U.S. for 5+ months between the student’s withdrawal date and the date of return to Trinity:

1. Will need to show new proof of financial support by submitting the Trinity International Student Certification.
2. Will need to be issued a new I-20 by the ISSS that has a new SEVIS number.
3. Will have to pay the SEVIS fee again. Student will need to let ISSS know the date he/she plan to return to the U.S. to resume studies at Trinity so that ISSS can issue the new I-20 in time for his/her return as an F-1 student. ISSS can issue the I-20 sixty (60) days prior to the date the student plan to return.

If student plan to travel to/from the U.S. before returning as a Trinity F-1 student before his/her new I-20’s earliest admission date (usually student can enter the U.S. within 30 days before the student’s program start date), student will need to use another type of visa to enter the U.S., such as a B-2 tourist visa. 

How do I apply for Authorized Early Withdrawal?

If you will be outside the U.S. for 5+ months between your withdrawal date and the date you plan to return to Trinity, do the following to obtain an Initial Attendance I-20 with a new SEVIS number.

Step 1: Login to your ISSS application and upload your official Trinity scholarship letter for extended semester to your ISSS application. Select the Documents tab and the ISSS Authorized Early Withdrawal Docs option under Upload New Documents.

Step 2: Upload your Trinity International Student Financial Certification to your ISSS application. Select the Documents tab and the ISSS Authorized Early Withdrawal Docs option under Upload New Documents.

Step 3: Upload your financial support proof documents (e.g. bank statement, bank letter, student loan approval letter) as one PDF to your ISSS application. Select the Documents tab and the ISSS Authorized Early Withdrawal Docs option under Upload New Documents.

Step 4: Email ISSS (isss@trinity.edu) after finishing steps 1-4.

NOTE: ISSS will create a draft initial I-20 for you to review within 5 business days upon receiving your request via email. Once you approve the draft initial I-20 via email ISSS will send you the official Initial Attendance I-20.