F-1 Change of Education Level

International students in F-1 status must always maintain accurate academic information in their SEVIS record and Form I-20. If you plan to change your education level at UIC, notify the Office of International Services by submitting a request to change your degree level so that we may update your SEVIS record and I-20 accordingly. This includes students who progress from a non-degree to a degree level stage of their contract program, students who graduate and continue to a higher level degree program at UIC, and students who wish to study two degree programs concurrently.

Please note that OIS cannot update your SEVIS record or print an I-20 reflecting the new academic information until you have been admitted to the new program and the admission is reflected in the university system.

Steps to request a change of education level on your I-20 Heading link

Select your current education level to view your steps and required documents.

  1. Inform the Graduate College and complete their Change of Degree Program Form.
  2. Submit the Change of Degree Level E-Form in myOIS. This can only be done after the change of degree program has been completed within the Graduate College. If you are advancing to a higher degree level, you will need to submit evidence of funding for one academic year in your new program along with the change of degree level request.
  3. Collect and sign your new I-20. When the change of degree level request is complete, OIS will contact you with options for receiving your new I-20. You may now begin studies in your new academic program.
  1. Apply to the new program through the Office of Admissions.
  2. Submit the Change of Degree Level E-Form in myOIS. This can only be done after the change of degree program has been completed within the university system. If you are advancing to a higher degree level, you will need to submit evidence of funding for one academic year in your new program along with the change of degree level request.
  3. Collect and sign your new I-20. When the change of degree level request is complete, OIS will contact you with options for receiving your new I-20. You may now begin studies in your new academic program.

FAQs Heading link

Here are some frequently asked questions about the F-1 change of education level process.

In short, students should submit the Change of Degree Level E-Form to OIS no less than one month prior to the to the semester when the change will go in effect. Since a completed request includes confirmation that the student has been admitted to the new program, students must also consider the time is take to apply to the new program.

Often a change in degree level implies that you will need additional time to complete the new program beyond what is currently listed on your I-20. In this case you must show that you have the financial means to support yourself during this extended period of study.