Degree Completion and Transfer
Degree Completion and Exit from the U.S.
We sincerely hope that each international student has succeeded in achieving his or her personal and academic goals while at FGCU. Completing a degree is a significant achievement and one of which you should be very proud! While you may have finished your last classes and exams, and participated in graduation ceremonies, you will need to also prepare for departing the US.
F-1 students are provided a maximum of 60 days to depart the US following the completion of your degree, or termination of enrollment at the university. The date on your I-20 (#5) indicates your expected graduation date. You have 60 days from this date to close your personal affairs, make travel arrangements and leave the US. Staying in the US beyond this time without authorization is an immigration violation and can result in being barred from entering the US in the future. If you leave the US at any time during this 60 day grace period, you will be considered as having permanently exited the US and will not be permitted to re-enter the US. Therefore, do not plan to travel and return to the US during this time.
Transfer Out of Florida Gulf Coast University
Students are considered to be a transfer student if they complete a program at one institution and begin a new program at another institution, or if they transfer from one institution to another to complete the same degree program. Students must begin classes at the new institution within a 5-month period to get a "transfer" I-20. If they do not transfer within 5 months, they must get a new "initial attendance" I-20 and will be considered a new F-1 student, not a transfer student.
Students who are transferring from Florida Gulf Coast University to another institution in the US must complete a Transfer Out Form. (PDF)
Once the Transfer Out Form is completed, the student should meet with the Coordinator of International Student Services in the ISO. The coordinator will release the SEVIS record from FGCU to the institution listed on the Transfer Out Form, according to the Transfer Out date listed on the form.
The requested release date on the Transfer Out date is VERY IMPORTANT. After that date, the SEVIS record will belong to the other school and can no longer be accessed by Florida Gulf Coast University. If any changes need to be made to the requested release date or to the transfer school, this must be done BEFORE the requested release date. If changes are made AFTER the requested release date, they must be made by the new school.
On-campus work is authorized ONLY at the school, which owns the SEVIS record. Any off campus work must be authorized through Optional Practical Training. If you are already authorized for OPT, then it will end when you complete the transfer to the new school.
Students must request the transfer process within 60 days of the end of this final semester at FGCU. Students must begin studying at the transfer institution within 5 months of leaving the Florida Gulf Coast University.
