Authorized Early Withdrawal Request

About Authorized Early Withdrawal:

• An Authorized Early Withdrawal allows students to take a break of 5 months or less and return to Concordia using the same SEVIS ID number and I-901 fee.
• Students must depart the US during the Leave of Absence.
• Authorized Early Withdrawal is a Termination to the SEVIS record.
  • As such, students must depart the US within 15 days or the future SEVIS correction to active status will be denied.
  • Students are not authorized to withdraw from classes until the Leave of Absence is processed in SEVIS.
• Students must be maintaining F-1 status (ie. attending classes, in a semester break, or in annual vacation) at the time the Authorized Early Withdrawal is requested. 
  • Students requesting an Authorized Early Withdrawal for the next semester, should place the Authorized Early Withdrawal Request after the last day of classes.
  • Students requesting an Authorized Early Withdrawal during the semester must:
    1. Attend classes
    2. Apply for the Authorized Early Withdrawal and wait until it has been processed in SEVIS 
    3. Continue going to class until you fly out of the U.S.
    4. Depart the US within 15 days of the Authorized Early Withdrawal being processed in SEVIS  
       • If this order is not followed, the correction to active status will be denied. This information will be asked for by SEVP at the time of requesting the record correction to active. 
• ISS recommends students request an Authorized Early Withdrawal whenever possible since this is the only SEVIS termination reason that allows a 15 day grace period to depart the US. All other termination reasons require students to depart the US immediately.

How to Apply for an Authorized Early Withdrawal:
1. Make an appointment with your Academic Advisor to discuss a Leave of Absence.
2. Contact your F-1 advisor at ISS to discuss the Authorized Early Withdrawal in SEVIS. 
3. Click here, login with Campus ID and submit an Authorized Early Withdrawal Request in the Control Center section.
Note: F-1 regulations require students to still be maintaining F-1 status by attending classes at the time the Authorized Early Withdrawal is requested in SEVIS.
4. Check your student account to make sure your balance is fully paid.
5. Make sure your I-20 travel signature will be valid on your return date. Contact ISS for a new travel signature if needed.

How to Come Back to Concordia:
1. Complete the Concordia Application for Readmission online if needed.

• This only applies to students who have been gone two terms or longer. Summer term is included in this count.
• If you have been gone less than two terms, contact your Academic Advisor with your planned return date to begin class registration.

2. Contact your F-1 advisor at ISS about your I-20.

• If you have been outside the US for less than 5 months, your SEVIS record may be reactivated with SEVP approval. Contact ISS at least 30 days before you plan to return to request the reactivation.
  • ​SEVP is in charge of approving the correction back to active status. ISS will place the correction request with SEVP.
  • SEVP needs a copy of your travel itinerary back to the US in order to complete the reactivation to active status. This is to ensure students will not have been outside of the US for more than 5 months.
• If you have been outside the US for more than 5 months, you will need a new initial I-20, new SEVIS I-901 fee, and valid F-1 visa. Contact ISS at least 3 months before you plan to return to request a new initial I-20. F-1 immigration regulations require students to wait one academic year before being eligible for CPT or OPT benefits, so be aware that you will need to wait one academic year for these benefits.

3. Health Insurance

• Students returning from a Leave of Absence who wish to enroll in CSP's health insurance plan must notify ISS by the enrollment deadline.

To initiate a request, click here and login with Campus ID (use your CSP credentials). Requests can be found in the “Control Center” section of the request page.