Change of Level

Submit Change of Level eForm

This form is to be used if you are an international student on an F-1 visa who is changing educational levels within CSU. See instructions on how to complete the eForm below.

Access eForm

When Do I Complete This eForm?

This form is to be used if you are an international student on an F-1 visa who is changing educational levels within CSU (for example, PLACE to Undergraduate student or Undergraduate to Master’s student).

  • By completing this form, you are requesting to receive a new I-20 to reflect your new program of study at CSU.
  • This eForm must be completed and your new I-20 issued before your 60 day grace period has ended.

Please note: Depending on the time of academic year, it may take up to 7-10 business days for our office to process your request once our office receives your request.

Instructions For Completing This eForm

  1. Fill out all of the fields that contain an asterisk.
    • If you plan to travel outside the U.S. between semesters, it is important that you provide accurate travel dates and shipping address so that ISSS can do our best to ensure you have your new I-20 before you return to the U.S.
  2. Upload new proof of funding—bank statement, CSU award letter, or letter from a sponsoring agency—dated within 12 months of the start of your new program that meets the minimum expenses for that program.
  3. Once you have completed the eForm, click “Submit.”
    • You will be contacted by ISSS if we need any additional documents and when your new I-20 has been created.

Additional Information

Meeting Your Immigration Requirements

PLACE Intensive English Program students changing to a full-time degree plan at CSU:

To maintain your F-1 visa status, you must do the following when you arrive for your new degree program:

CSU Bachelor’s or Master’s students Changing degree level

  • You don’t need to do IDR or International Student Orientation again (neither in-person nor online)
  • Make sure you enroll in a full course load.
  • If you have an on-campus job, make sure to show them your new I-20 /DS-2019 and related required documents for I-9 updates.
  • Likewise, please contact the CSU foreign tax office to let them know you have a new academic program immigration document and to see if they need to help you update your Glacier profile.

Traveling on Your New I-20

If you are traveling between levels you will need to make sure you have your new I-20 to reenter the U.S. We encourage students to wait until they have their new I-20 before departing the U.S, if possible. If that is not an option, please make sure you have provided our office with accurate travel dates and the address you need your I-20 shipped to. When you setup your travel plans, make sure you give yourself enough time to have your I-20 delivered to you before your returning flight.

Please note: Some students traveling with a Change of Level I-20 have had a difficult time getting back into the U.S. because Customs and Border Protection was not able to see the new program in their database.

  • When you make your travel arrangements, give yourself sufficient time at the airport in case you are delayed going through customs, and carry the contact information of ISSS with you.

Other Considerations

  • You will not need to apply for a new F-1 visa when requesting a change of level unless your visa has already expired and you plan to travel outside of the U.S. Your current F-1 visa will remain valid until its expiration date.
  • You will not need to pay the SEVIS fee again.