Change Education Level: Bachelors to Masters

F-1 international student alumni who plan to pursue a higher degree program at SF State must obtain a Change of Education Level I-20.

General Information

Typical situations when students will need a change of education level I-20 are:

  1. A student who graduated from Undergraduate programs at SF State and plans to pursue Graduate studies at SF State.
  2. A student who graduated from Undergraduate programs at SF State and plans to pursue a Second Bachelor's Program at SF State.
  3. A student who graduated from Graduate programs at SF State and plans to pursue a second Graduate Program at SF State.

Change of education level I-20s are issued by the Division of Graduate Studies.

It is the student's responsibility to contact the Division of Graduate Studies to request a change of education level I-20 when deciding to attend graduate programs at SF State.

To receive an I-20, students must submit proof of finances, including the financial affidavit form and bank documents, to the Division of Graduate Studies at gradstudies@sfsu.edu

Deadline to Receive I-20

Students must receive their change of education level I-20 within their 60-day grace semester, or within 15 days of the semester start date at SF State, whichever is the earliest.

Failure to receive a change of education level I-20 promptly will result in loss of their legal status in the U.S.

The Spring 2024 deadline to receive the I-20 is Friday, February 16, 2024.

For the student who graduated from SF State and plans to pursue graduate programs at SF State immediately (not applying for OPT), they must request and receive a change of education level I-20 within their 60-day grace period.

Scenario

Deadline to Receive I-20

Example

If OPT ends before the new program start date

1. Within 60 days of the OPT end date AND
2. Before the new program start date

John's OPT ends on July 15.  His new program starts on August 24.  John chooses to receive his I-20 on July 20.   

July 20 is within 60 days of the OPT end date and before the new program start date.

If OPT ends after the new program start date

Before the new program start date

John's OPT ends on September 15.  His new program starts on August 24. 

John chooses to receive his I-20 on August 1.  He can work under OPT until August 23, the day before his new program starts.

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Last updated: January 2024

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The information contained in this website is provided as a service to the international students, faculty, staff, employees, and administrators of San Francisco State University, and does not constitute legal advice on any immigration, tax or other matter. We try to provide useful information, but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this web site or any associated site. As legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel. Neither San Francisco State University nor the Division of International Education is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this website, or for the results obtained from the use of this information.