Villanova Univeristy Athletics

No, the recent litigation between Harvard / Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has resulted in DHS agreeing to fully rescind the United States Immigration and Customs (ICE) Memo, dated July 6th and ICE FAQ dated 7th and all implementing guidance. The requirement for I-20 revisions was rescinded with the above noted agreement.

It is expected that students arrive in time to begin attending classes on Monday August 17, 2020.

Given that U.S. Consulates have been temporarily closed since March 20, 2020, it is very difficult to secure an appointment at many U.S. Consulates. You should plan to start your Villanova academic career in the Spring 2021 semester, i.e. January 11, 2021. Villanova's International Student Office would suggest not attempting to secure an Emergency Appointment, as these are reserved for family emergency situations such as a family member being ill or a death of a family member. If you have secured a visa appointment during the fall semester (before the spring semester), please contact the International Student Office so an updated I-20 can be issued and sent to you.

Yes. You can begin your course of study remotely and then be physically on-campus to undertake classes on January 11, 2021. If you were notified that ou will receive financial aid, the finanacial aid package will be adjusted to exclude room and board expenses for the semester. You may not attempt to enter the United States under the F-1 visa classifications until thirty (30) days before the spring program starts - December 13, 2020.

Yes. Your financial aid package will remain the same as your original offer if you return to campus.

Yes. Students who do not have a university-approved accommodation may still take all courses online depending on the availability of 100% online courses. Before changing courses, students should consult with their advisors to ensure the new course(s) fit into their curriculum. Students may submit a request for an accommodation to study remotely based on a disability or health risk due to Covid-19, or other reasons, to Hubert WhanTong, Office of International Students. Mr. WhanTong will forward information to Learning Support Services or the appropriate college contact for review and approval of academic accommodations. We ask that students submit all requests by July 31st in order to adequately plan for the upcoming semester.

No. Under the president F-1 regulations, you may not take a leave of absence and remain in the United States. If you have a medical condition that is documented and can be filed with the Office of International Students you may be eligible for a reduced course load exemption under F-1 regulations.

On a FAQ issued by ICE on July 15, 2020, the Agency indicated that F-1 students may remain in ACTIVE SEVIS status while studying outside the United States. As such, students who wish to maintain their F-1 status must enroll for a full course load at Villanova University for the fall 2020 semester. Students who begin the fall academic semester online should not plan to return to the United States until the spring 2021 semester. If your were to reside on-campus during the fall 2020 semester, your should contact Residence Life and Dining Services and make them aware you will not be returning for the fall 2020 semester but that you expect to return in the spring 2021 semester - otherwise you may lose your opportunity for on-campus housing in the spring 2021 semester.

Yes. You must file medical documentation in English with the International Student Office before the end of the add/drop period (i.e., August 23, 2020). During the fall semester, you will be placed on a reduced course load within SEVIS due to medical condition.

If you decide to take a semester or more leave of absence, please contact your Dean's Office to file for your leave of absence, and the International Student Office. Once granted, your SEVIS record will be terminated and you should not attempt to re-enter the United States until your SEVIS record has been reactivated. Please contact the International Student Office as soon as you and your family determine when you wish to resume your academic career at Villanova. Reactivation of SEVIS records by SEVP can take upwards of 90 days or longer. If your SEVIS record is terminated for five months or longer, the International Student Office will have to produce a new SEVIS record (i.e. new I-20). You may be responsible to pay the I-901 fee again. You will have to seek a new F-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate that has jurisdiction over your case.

Financial aid packages are awarded each year based on costs and the required documentation submitted to the Office of Financial Assistance for that particular year. Your package may change year to year. Please check the Financial Assistance web site for filing deadlines.

There is some concern among International Students that if they are absent from the United States for five (5) months they must reapply for a new F-1 visa. The five (5) month absence applies when the School (Villanova), which maintains the SEVIS (I-20) record terminates the SEVIS record. If Villanova were to terminate the SEVIS record, the International Student Office would have notified the student and only at the regulatory direction of ICE / SEVP or the student's request (such as a request for taking a leave of absence). In ICE's July 15th FAQ, ICE stated that a student's SEVIS record may be kept as active within SEVIS by a School when the student is outside the United States maintaining his/her F-1 status by enrolling in a full course of study and making normal progress towards attaining completion of the degree program.