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Home » Academics » Academic Centers » Office of Global Engagement » International Student Services » Maintaining F-1 Status » Change of Program/Education Level

Change of Program/Education Level

An F-1 student is admitted to the United States to complete a specific educational program. However, once they complete their education program they might seek and gain admission to a new one. If you are planning on doing so, one of the below scenarios will likely apply to you. If so, you will need to obtain a Change of Program/Education Level (COP/EL) I-20 to maintain your F-1 visa status.

  • You are completing a degree or program requirements at one educational level and are admitted to a new degree or program at a different level (example – completing a Bachelor’s degree and admitted to a Master’s degree) at Elmhurst University. COP/EL will be processed after your current degree program end date. You are able to engage in on-campus employment in the period between programs if your COP/EL has been processed.
  • You are completing degree requirements and beginning a new degree program at the same educational level (example – completing a second Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) at Elmhurst University. COP/EL will be processed after your current degree program end date. You are able to engage in on-campus employment in the period between programs if your COP/EL has been processed.
  • You are ending OPT/STEM OPT Extension and admitted to a new degree program.
    • Note: If your COP/EL process is completed during your OPT (based on the below deadlines to process) your OPT will end on the day your SEVIS record is registered at the new level.

For a Change of Program/Education Level (COP/EL), you need to:

  • Submit your Change of Program/Education Level (COP/EL) request and have your updated COP/EL I-20 issued within the 60-day grace period of your most recent status action (end of academic program or end of OPT/STEM OPT Extension) or within 15 days of your new program start date, whichever is sooner
  • Start the new degree program within 5 months of your most recent status action (end of academic program or end of OPT/STEM OPT Extension) or within 15 days of your new program start date, whichever is sooner

Change of Program/Education Level (COP/EL) Process

Once your admission to your new program is granted you can complete the Change of Program/Education Level (COP/EL) application on Etrieve Forms.

  • Log-in to the MyElmhurst Portal to access the Etrieve Forms app
  • Access and complete all sections of the “I-20 Change of Program/Education Level form”
  • You will be required to attach the following:
    • Proof of Admission (PDF admission letter) to new program
    • Original, current financial documents
    • Completed Elmhurst University Declaration of Finances/Affidavit of Support form
  • Submit
If changing your current major/academic program:

If you are a current student and changing your current major/academic program (not starting a new degree program after the completion of your current program or OPT/STEM OPT Extension authorization) the above does not apply.

  • Undergraduate students can change their major via the Change Form
  • Graduate students must seek admission to any new Master’s program via Graduate Admission

Upon successful change of current major/academic program you must have your SEVIS record updated by ISS staff. To do so:

  • Log-in to the MyElmhurst Portal to access the Etrieve Forms app
  • Access and complete all sections of the “I-20 Change of Current Major/Academic Program” form
  • You will be required to attach the following:
    • Undergraduate students: Screenshot of your major from Self-Service (under “Progress” tab)
    • Graduate students: Proof of new program admission (PDF admission letter)

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