If you have any issues, you should meet international student advisor.
Travel Outside of the U.S.
If you have plans to travel outside of the U.S., you will need your I-20 signed in order to travel. You must complete this process at least two weeks before traveling.
STEP 1: Register full time for next session
STEP 2: Make sure you will be a full-time student when you return. Traveling during classes will require permission from your instructors, and you must submit the 050-004 International Student LOA Request Form to the international student advisor
STEP 3: Bring your most recent and original I-20 to the international student advisor (not a copy)
STEP 4: Use your signed I-20, your valid passport, and your valid F-1 visa to re-enter the United States
If you change your status, please read this.
There is no other factor that requires you to depart the U.S. prior to making a reentry based on a different classification. (ex. A USCIS officer may determine that you should obtain a new visa prior to being readmitted into the U.S.)
How to Apply Vacation
F-1 visa students at Columbia College must comply with the school’s vacation policy which is taking a 10-week vacation after completing at least 30 weeks of study.
Students must submit an International Student Vacation Request Form and make a tuition deposit for the returning session. Before filling out the vacation request form, students should check with the international student advisor to review their records.
Change Your Academic Program or Degree Level
You must get a new I-20 if you change your academic program from one level to another, or from one major of study to another. Fill out the program change form from the international student advisor within 15 days of beginning the new program.
Columbia College graduates with a two-year Associates in Business Administration or Associates in Information Technology degree who are admitted to the partner institutions of the Strayer University or University of the Potomac are able to transfer with junior status. Students in other majors (e.g. Early Childhood Education, Technical and Business English) can transfer their credits but they will only be partially recognized by these institutions. If a transfer student pursues a 4-year degree in any academic program, he or she may follow the Transfer Credit Appeal Procedure.
School Transfer
Any student who obtained an I-20 through Columbia College must attend classes for the stated period in his/her enrollment agreement. International Students that started their enrollment at Columbia College as the first institution in the U.S. are required to attend at least 20 weeks (two sessions) before requesting a transfer-out. Students who transferred to Columbia College from other institutions are required to attend at least 20 weeks (two sessions) of classes before requesting a transfer out to a new school. Students who plan to transfer out must notify the intention to the college at least five weeks prior to the tentative transfer-out date. Students with excessive absence may be transferred to out of status. Students who either dropped out of registered classes or have excessive absence may be terminated at the time of transfer.
Contact our Advisor
BongWook Yoon, International Student Advisor
8620 Westwood Center Drive, Vienna, VA 22182
T 703-206-0508
beauy@ccdc.edu
