This information is being sent to all GAs on an F-1 or J-1 visa. If you are not graduating this spring, this information will not apply to you but it is still important to understand for the future.
Dear International Huskies,
Federal government regulations allow graduate students on F-1 and J-1 visas to hold on-campus employment while they are pursuing their degree. If you will be a Spring 2025 graduate, you will no longer be pursuing your degree after May 11, 2025 and can no longer work on campus beyond that date.
If you hold an Academic Year 2024/2025 or Spring 2025 GA appointment at Storrs or a regional campus (excepting UConn Health), the final date of your appointment is May 22, 2025. If your degree is conferred in May and you hold an F-1 or J-1 visa and your assistantship appointment is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Graduate Employee Union (GEU), the time from May 11, 2025, through May 22, 2025, should be treated as time off. Please work with your supervisor to ensure you finish the duties associated with your assistantship before May 11, 2025. You will still receive your full Spring 2025 GA stipend.
In addition, ISSS will be updating your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date to May 11, 2025, if you are graduating in May and hold a GAship this term. This means your grace period to depart the U.S., or your first eligible date to begin post-completion practical training will begin May 12, 2025. Please plan for this accordingly. ISSS will adjust your I-20 or DS-2019 end date automatically based on notification that you have applied for graduation, or at the time you apply for post-completion OPT (F-1 students) or Academic Training (J-1 students), whichever comes first. ISSS will notify you when your adjusted I-20 or DS-2019 is ready to download from your ISSS portal account later in May.
If you will be offered a summer GA appointment and will complete your degree during Summer 2025, please be aware that the summer term will be considered your final semester, and you may be employed for no more than 20 hours per week. The date you submit all final degree requirements to Degree Audit will be your degree completion date and the last date you may be employed under a graduate payroll title. Your form I-20 will be shortened to this date.
Please reach out to ISSS at international@uconn.edu if you have any questions about this change as it relates to your visa status, I-20, grace period, or practical training timeline.
Leslie M. Shor
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School
Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student and Scholar Services
