Authorized Early Withdrawal
Authorized early withdrawal (AEW) is a temporary absence outside of the U. S. for five months or less that results in termination of the student's SEVIS record. This is an option for students who need to unexpectedly leave the country because of family emergencies, financial issues, or personal reasons.
If your leave is for a documented medical reason, you may be authorized for a reduced course load based on medical conditions, and your SEVIS record will remain active. Please read more about a medical reduced course load before submitting your AEW Request Form.
Requesting AEW
Upon submitting the AEW Request for Authorized Early Withdrawal form, you may withdraw from your courses and a DSO in this office will terminate your SEVIS record within five (5) business days. We will email you with the date of termination and you must leave the U.S. within 15 days of that date; you cannot be in the U.S. with a terminated SEVIS record. Upon termination, all F-1 benefits, such as employment (CPT, on campus job) will cease immediately. Please remember that your student visa may not be used to enter the U.S. until your SEVIS record has been re-activated by a DSO in the Office of Global Engagement.
Re-Activating the Terminated SEVIS Record
You may submit the AEW Request for SEVIS Activation to a DSO in this office 60 days in advance of your return to LaGrange College. This gives SEVP time to review and re-activate your SEVIS record and for you to apply for a new F-1 visa, if necessary, and register for courses. Please attach a copy of your flight itinerary or travel plans to the Re-Activation Request and this office will contact the Registrar for proof of enrollment. The DSO will request SEVP to return your SEVIS record to active status once we have all the documents. When the record has been returned to active status, we will notify you by email and you will be allowed to apply for your visa and/or return to LaGrange College. Remember to have all of your travel documents with you when you enter the U.S.
If you do not return within 5 months, you will be required to get a new I-20, pay the SEVIS fee, and apply for a new F-1 visa (except for Canadian students). You would also need to re-establish the one year of full-time enrollment requirement again to receive benefits such as CPT and OPT.
Your decision to take AEW can affect other areas of campus and academic life. Please be sure to contact the following:
•Academic Adviser: to discuss how this will affect your course sequence, graduation, or GA position.
•Financial Aid: if you have any scholarships
•Housing: to go through the proper check out procedures
•Business Office: refunds and payments must be cleared up before departing
•Human Resources: if you have on-campus employment