You need to take important steps and consider key factors during your final semester. Make sure you are registered for all the courses required to complete your degree. If you’re unsure, ask your academic advisor.
You cannot work after the semester ends unless you have an approved OPT application and a valid EAD. J-1 students must have an approved Academic Training at Boise State to work after the last date of their program. If you are moving to a new Boise State degree program next semester then you can continue on-campus work after you have received the I-20 or DS-2019 for your new program.
Contact ISS immediately if you applied to graduate but don’t think you will be able to finish this semester. This is very important if you have applied for OPT or if you will need an I-20 or DS-2019 extension. You must make the extension request before your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date.
Registration Requirements
You can request permission to be enrolled less than full-time if it is your final semester, but you must still have required on-campus courses. This is the same requirement regardless of whether you are finishing in the Spring, Summer or Fall semesters.
Apply for Graduation
You must apply for graduation to graduate from Boise State University. You can do that through your my.BoiseState Student Center.
We hope that your family and friends can visit you to celebrate your graduation! If so, they might need to apply for a visitor or tourist visa.
Apply for OPT
If you want to work in the U.S. after graduation then you must apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization. It’s important to apply as early as possible (as much as 90 days before you finish). You don’t have to have a job in place to apply for OPT. You cannot apply for OPT from outside the U.S.
OPT is for F1 student visa holders only. J1 visa holders can apply for Academic Training.
Grace period
F-1 students receive a 60-day grace period to remain in the U.S. after finishing their program. During this time, you can travel within the U.S., apply for OPT, or transfer to another degree program. Be cautious when booking cruises or traveling abroad during your grace period. If you leave the U.S. during this time, you cannot use your current I-20 or DS-2019 to return unless you have OPT or Academic Training in place.
J-1 students receive a 30-day grace period after completing their program. If you plan to transfer to another U.S. university, finalize the request before your DS-2019 program end date. You must also finalize any requests for Academic Training work authorization well before your DS-2019 end date.
Students finishing in the summer must take on-campus courses to qualify for the grace period. The grace period begins immediately after your final class date. If you only take online courses in your final semester, you must take those courses from outside the U.S. In this case, you will not be eligible to apply for OPT or J-1 Academic Training.
New Degree Program
If you are an F-1 student and plan to continue at Boise State University, you must obtain a new I-20 from International Admissions for your new academic program before your 60-day grace period ends. After receiving your new Boise State I-20, you can begin working on-campus.
If you plan to transfer to another university next semester, you must request the transfer of your SEVIS record to the new university. You can stay in the U.S. if you start in the next available semester and if fewer than 5 months pass between the two programs. You must submit the transfer request, including uploading your new admission letter, at least two weeks before your 60-day grace period ends.
J-1 students who wish to transfer to new programs within the U.S. face different rules and time frames. Make sure to submit your transfer request well before your academic program ends. Consult an ISS advisor to discuss your transfer plans.