International Students
The Harvard Extension School welcomes international students from abroad as well as those living in the Cambridge and Boston area, and those who take Extension School distance education courses while remaining in their home countries. Last year, international students accounted for 19 percent of the total student enrollment and represented 108 countries. The quality of the educational experience at the Harvard Extension School is enhanced each year by a student population that includes students of different nationalities and cultures.
Study at Harvard Online
Distance education courses are growing in popularity among international students and contributing to the internationalization of the Harvard Extension School. Last year, students from 33 different countries on six different continents enrolled as distance education students in Extension School courses. Students must be proficient in English to take distance education courses. For information about enrolling as a distance education student, please visit the distance education website.
Study on the Harvard Campus
The F-1 student visa is the appropriate visa category for individuals whose primary reason for being in the United States is to study in a full-time program at an American institution.
International students who are not applying to a program and are considering study at the Harvard Extension School must ensure they have visas that enable them to remain in the United States for the duration of their studies. Tourist visas are inappropriate for full-time study, and recent regulations preclude a person from enrolling while in this status. Tourist visas are not extended for study purposes. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly INS) does not allow people currently in the United States on a tourist visa to change to a student visa except in very limited circumstances. For these reasons, it is necessary that individuals intending to study full time enter the United States in F-1 status.
Students who enroll in Extension School courses while on visas of any kind must comply with Massachusetts immunization regulations.
I-20 Certificate for the F-1 Student Visa
Eligibility for the I-20. International students who are considering applying to a program should be sure they are eligible to use the I-20 before they request it. Students eligible to use the I-20 are:
- Individuals outside of the United States who apply for an F-l visa at a US consulate overseas and enter the United States for the primary purpose of studying on a full-time basis to complete an entire program of study.
- Individuals already in the United States in F-1 visa status who have not overstayed or violated this status.
- Individuals in any visa status who have not overstayed or violated their visa status and who will either travel outside the United States to reenter in F-1 visa status or apply to change visa status within the United States, if eligible. Note that individuals in visa waiver status and individuals in B visa status not specifically designated as "prospective students" on entry will not be eligible to change status within the States. Also note that individuals in B visa status who request I-20s are precluded from attending class until they have successfully changed to F-1 visa status.
Individuals in the above categories must pursue a full-time course of study. Harvard Extension School requires enrollment in four courses each semester to maintain full-time status; students should not request I-20 certificates without intending to remain fully enrolled each semester.
International students who are considering requesting an I-20 should be aware that all US universities are required to report certain information to USCIS about individuals who are issued I-20 certificates for F-1 visa status. Students should not request I-20 certificates unless they are eligible to use them as outlined above.
Applying for an I-20
International students who are eligible to use an I-20 certificate and who wish to request an I-20 for the F-1 student visa must follow the application procedures of the program to which they are applying and submit the following with their program application materials:
- A completed Harvard Extension School financial statement form (available from each program office).
- Copies of all current visa documents including past practical training cards.
If a bank letter is used as proof of deposit, the letter must be in English, on bank letterhead, and it must state the amount of deposit in US dollars. Any letter that does not meet these requirements cannot be used as proof of deposit. Any delay that results from inadequate proof of deposit could jeopardize a student's eligibility for an I-20 certificate.
All of these materials must be received in the appropriate program office by July 23 for the fall term and by December 3 for the spring term. Applicants are encouraged to submit the required materials well before these deadlines to allow sufficient time to obtain the student visa or change their visa status.
Accepted students are sent official letters of admission and then required to inform the Extension School in writing of their intent to enroll as full-time students. They are then sent the I-20 certificate.
Attending School on an F-1 Visa
Once admitted, candidates who have an I-20 issued by the Extension School must meet certain requirements and follow certain guidelines to remain eligible for F-1 student visa status and the benefits of the F-1 visa category. Some of these are listed below:
- They must remain enrolled full time (in four courses per term that will be applied toward their degree, certificate, or diploma).
- They must remain in good academic standing, as defined by their program.
- They must choose their courses carefully to complete their programs in the allotted time. Candidates who have questions concerning course selection or program requirements should consult their program advisor.
- They must complete registration by the Friday before classes begin. Although they can add courses online, they cannot drop courses online. They must obtain Registrar's Office approval to drop any courses, even if they are dropping a course as part of an even drop/add exchange.
- They may enroll in no more than one course per term that is offered only online.
- They must have health insurance coverage from a US insurance provider, or they must enroll in and pay for health insurance through Harvard University. They also must comply with Massachusetts immunization regulations.
International Office Check-In
Candidates who are in their first term of study on an I-20 from the Harvard Extension School must check in with the Harvard International Office, then with the Extension School Registrar's Office before classes begin or they will be withdrawn from their courses. They must check in before 12 noon on Friday, September 17 (if their I-20s are issued for the fall term) and January 28 (if their I-20s are issued for the spring term).
Information Sessions
Candidates who are in their first term of study on an I-20 from the Harvard Extension School must attend the Harvard International Office information session held during the first few weeks of each term. Candidates who intend to apply for practical training must also attend an additional meeting. These meetings are held in the Grossman Common Room, 51 Brattle Street. Meeting dates and times are available online and are sent to students who have an I-20 issued by the Extension School.
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