Students Studying in The United States Leaving Northeastern

Congratulations on completing your degree! You’ve reached an important milestone, and we’re here to help you navigate what comes next.

Your Grace Period

After completing your program (or concluding a period of approved AT/Post-OPT/STEM OPT Extension), you’re granted a grace period to prepare for your next steps:

F-1 Students: 60-day grace period
J-1 Students: 30-day grace period

What You Can Do During Your Grace Period

F-1 Students may:

• Remain in the U.S. and prepare to depart
• Request a Change of Degree Level (CDL) I-20 to begin a new program at Northeastern
• Request a SEVIS transfer to another SEVP-certified institution
• Apply for Post-OPT (if eligible after concluding your degree)
• Change to another immigration status

J-1 Students may:

• Remain in the U.S. and prepare to depart
• Note: All other requests (CDL, SEVIS transfers, Academic Training) must be completed before your program end date

Graduation Resources

• Transcripts: Request through the Registrar’s Office
• Diplomas: Submit questions to the Registrar’s Office
• Commencement: Email [email protected] (include your NUID)

Important: If you have withdrawn prior to completion, been academically dismissed, or have been found in violation of your F/J student status, you are not eligible for a grace period. Contact OGS directly with questions.

Before you drop or withdraw from classes, you must contact OGS. Failure to notify us may cause you to fall out of status.

Please review the Student Financial Services (SFS) website to understand your tuition refund eligibility based on your withdrawal or leave of absence date.

How to Notify OGS

Withdrawing from Northeastern:
Complete the Notification to OGS of University Withdrawal e-form. A Designated School Official (DSO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) will follow up with your next steps.

Taking a Leave of Absence:
Follow the instructions on the appropriate page:

• Medical Leave of Absence
• Non-Medical Leave of Absence

If you have been academically dismissed from Northeastern, you are no longer eligible for enrollment. OGS will contact you directly to discuss your next steps.

Planning Ahead

If you anticipate you may be academically dismissed, contact OGS to schedule an appointment with a DSO (F-1 students) or ARO (J-1 students) to proactively discuss your options:

Appealing an Academic Dismissal

If you’re eligible to appeal and have initiated the process, please inform OGS of your pending appeal. We will reach out to you directly to discuss the situation.

Returning After Academic Dismissal

If you’ve been approved to return to Northeastern after an academic dismissal, complete the Re-entry I-20 e-form.

Can’t access your NU account? Request a limited access PIN to complete the Re-entry I-20 e-form.

If you’re leaving or completing your current degree program (or ending AT/Post-OPT/STEM OPT), you may be eligible to transfer your SEVIS record to another SEVP-certified school in the U.S.

Learn more:

• Transferring Out
• Transfer Out e-form

If you plan to depart the U.S. and discontinue your employment authorization, report this to OGS using the appropriate e-form:

• Post-OPT: Submit the Request to Complete SEVIS Record while on Post-OPT e-form in Post-OPT Central
• STEM Extension: Submit the Request to Complete STEM OPT and SEVIS Record e-form

Changing Status to H-1B

If your Post-OPT/STEM Extension will end due to a change of status to H-1B, report this to OGS using the H-1B Status Change Reporting e-form.