Spring and Summer 2026: Last day of work for GAs holding F-1 and J-1 visas
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 2026 graduate, you will no longer be pursuing your degree after May 10, 2026 and can no longer work on campus beyond that date.
If you hold an academic year or spring GA appointment at Storrs or a regional campus (excepting UConn Health), the final date of your appointment is May 22, 2026. 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 between the degree conferral date and the appointment end date should be treated as time off. Please work with your supervisor to ensure you finish the duties associated with your assistantship before your degree conferral date. You will still receive your full spring GA stipend.
In addition, ISSS will be updating your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date to May 10, 2026, 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 11, 2026. 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 2026, 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
Graduation Reminders from Degree Audit
Are you graduating for Spring 2026? Did you know you must apply for graduation online via your Student Administration account?
You can visit Steps to a Successful Graduation for guidance or the Master’s Degrees page, the Certificate programs page, the Doctoral Degrees page for instructions and information about:
- applying for graduation
- submitting required paperwork
- uploading your thesis or dissertation
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
I didn’t know the deadline to apply for graduation was the end of the 4th week of the semester. What if I missed the deadline?
If you missed the deadline, please apply ASAP in order to not delay the conferral of your degree.
I plan on graduating in the Summer. What is that deadline to apply to graduate?
Summer candidates are asked to apply no later than April 1st to ensure their information makes the Commencement publication. Applications received after April 1st will not be included in the commencement program
Do I submit a plan of study via Student Administration?
No, graduate students submit plans of study via email to degreeaudit@uconn.edu. These forms can be found on the Master’s Degree page, the Certificate programs page, the Doctoral Degrees page, or the Forms Section of the Office of the Registrar’s website.
I have external advisor(s) on my advisory committee; how do I ensure they are approved?
An external advisor is someone not affiliated with UConn or UConn Health. Students can use the External Advisor Request form to officially add an external advisor to their committee.
Master’s Degree and Certificate Students must receive approval to include an external advisor prior to submitting their Final Plan of Study (POS). The final plan of study is submitted when applying for graduation.
Doctoral Students must request approval for an external advisor prior to submitting their Plan of Study (by the time 18 credits are completed) or when the external committee member is invited to join the committee.
Is there a deadline to submit my master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation in the Thesis and Dissertation Portal to qualify for a Spring 2026 conferral date?
Yes, the deadline is Friday, April 24, 2026. User Guides for the Thesis and Dissertation Portal are available online: Doctoral Dissertation User Guide and Master’s Thesis User Guide.
Can I change my graduation term from Spring to Summer or Fall if I end up needing more time?
Yes, please email degreeaudit@uconn.edu to request the change.
Do I have to apply to graduate for my Certificate program?
Yes.
Important Note: All students are advised to review their transcript to ensure that it is in agreement with their plan of study. Any missing grades, documents, or discrepancies between a student’s plan of study and transcript can result in a delay of degree conferral or cancellation of degree candidacy. Please refer to the Registrar’s guide, Steps to a Successful Graduation, as you prepare to complete your degree.
COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION
If you wish to attend the Ceremony, you’ll need to RSVP after spring break. Information regarding commencement can be found on the Commencement webpage.
UConn Health graduate students can find commencement information at the following link: UConn Health Commencement.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Can be found on the Academic Calendar.
- Friday, April 24, 2026 is the last day to upload a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation to the Thesis and Dissertation Portal in order to qualify for a Spring 2026 conferral date. User Guides for the Thesis and Dissertation Portal are available online: Doctoral Dissertation User Guide and Master’s Thesis User Guide.
Please reach out to degreeaudit@uconn.edu with questions.
Preparatory Workshops for the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase
Leading up to the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase on Wednesday April 8, 2026, at the Konover Auditorium in The Dodd Center for Human Rights, and as part of the 2026 Graduate Student Appreciation Week (UConnGSAW26), The Graduate School invites graduate students to participate in two preparatory workshops ahead of the competition.
The workshops are open to all applicants of the 3MT® competition and the broader graduate student population and are designed to help participants translate their research or professional experience(s) for a general audience, improve oral presentation skills, and prepare for the April showcase. All applicants are strongly encouraged to register and attend.
Workshop 1
Designing Engaging Presentations: Preparing for UConn’s 3MT® and Graduate Student Showcase
Friday, February 20, 2026 | 3:00–4:30 PM
Location: Online
Instructors:
Melanie Sinche, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Success, The Graduate School, UConn.
Sam Lake, Director of Career & Professional Development, University of Virginia.
Workshop 2
Creating Effective Presentations
Friday, February 27, 2026 | 3:00–4:30 PM
Location: Homer Babbidge Library, Room 1102
Instructor:
Dr. Faye Assanah, Assistant Professor in Residence, UConn College of Engineering.
Who Should Attend
Applicants to the 3MT® and Graduate Student Showcase, the broader graduate student population, and anyone interested in enhancing their presentation skills. Tell a friend or colleague.
Learn more about the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase or explore additional events happening during Graduate Student Appreciation Week (UConnGSAW26), April 6–10, 2026.
For questions or accommodation requests ahead of any of these workshops, please contact Melanie Sinche, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Success at melanie.sinche@uconn.edu or Michael Inkoom Nyarko, Graduate Assistant at rdu25001work@uconn.edu
UConnGSAW26, We See You. We Celebrate You!
