Planning for Spring Semester 2021
IU South Bend is preparing for a blend of in-person and online classes for Spring 2021.
Please note that the U.S. government has not issued guidance specifically for Spring 2021. We are providing the information below based on the most recent guidance. We will update you and your academic advisors if the government provides new information.
Current Undergraduate and Graduate Students in F-1 Status
If you were 1) enrolled at IU South Bend in Fall 2020, or 2) transferred to IU South Bend on the same SEVIS record under which you had studied at another school or English language program, or 3) were granted authorization for OPT, you may take all of your classes online in Spring 2021.
You may take this coursework outside the U.S. or within the U.S. Please note that in order to maintain an active record in SEVIS, you must register for a full course load according to whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student. If this is your final semester and you require fewer credits than a full course load, you will need to complete and submit, together with your academic advisor, a Reduced Course Load authorization form before the start of the Spring 2021 Semester, January 19, 2021.
You may opt to take a leave of absence if you plan to remain outside the country and want to take no classes or fewer classes than required. This option means that we must terminate your SEVIS record. For more information, please contact the OISS.
Newly Admitted Undergraduate and Graduate Students in F-1 Status
Undergraduate students can select one of three options outlined below for Spring 2021: start your degree program online, travel to Bloomington for in-person classes, or defer your admission to a future semester.
Graduate students will need to work with their academic department to determine their options.
We look forward to welcoming all of our students to a safe campus environment; however, we recognize that you may have challenges in arranging for a visa or air travel to the U.S.
Those who join us on campus in F-1 status will need to enroll in a full course of study, which can be a mix of online and in-person classes.
New, initial status F-1 students will need to enroll in at least one in-person class (coded as P, HY, IN, or IS on your class schedule). Whenever possible, the in-person class should be 3 credit hours, but a 1-credit-hour class is also permissible as long as you are enrolled in a full course of study and making normal degree progress.
If you are transferring your SEVIS record to IU for Spring 2021 and were actively enrolled at the previous school on March 9, 2020, you are not required to enroll in any in-person courses. However, we encourage all new students to participate in as many IU South Bend activities as time allows in order to build relationships and get to know faculty, staff and classmates in settings outside the classroom.
Preparing for arrival
If you plan to travel to South Bend for Spring 2021, please keep the following in mind:
- You should plan to arrive no later than January 4, 2021 in order to settle into the community. At the very latest, you should be in place by the start of classes on January 19, 2021.
- If you are unable to arrive by January 19:
- Undergraduate students: you need to arrive no later than January 22. If you are unable to arrive by January 22, you need to either begin your degree online or defer your admission to Fall 2021.
- Graduate students: you will work with your academic department to determine how late you can arrive.
- Make sure you review the <https://ois.iu.edu/visas/travel-restrictions/coronavirus-restrictions.html> entry restrictions. You will not be able to enter the U.S. if you are traveling from, or have traveled through, certain countries in the 14 days before your attempted entry to the U.S.
- Some U.S. embassies and consulates have resumed visa interviews. Consular services are available at the discretion of respective consular posts. Be sure to check with the U.S. Consulate or Embassy before you purchase air tickets or make other arrangements.
- Some embassies or airlines may ask for a letter stating that IU is open. We can prepare a letter of support for you at your request.
We understand it may be difficult to arrange for travel to the U.S. at this time. If you choose to start online, know that we will do all we can to help you succeed academically and lay the foundation for continued study once you arrive in the U.S. Graduate students, you will need to work with your academic department to determine how an online start option will be implemented for your degree.
Immigration and visa considerations
You may enroll in a part-time or full-time course of study from outside the U.S. You will not need an I-20 for this, but we will work with you to provide an immigration document once you are ready to travel to the U.S.
If you are interested in Curricular Practical Training (work authorization typically used for internships), be aware that you have to be inside the U.S. for a full academic year before you are eligible for CPT.
Undergraduate students, if you choose not to enroll for Spring 2021, you have the option of deferring to Fall 2021 or Spring 2022. You will keep any scholarship awards you have been offered.
Graduate students, work with your academic department to determine what deferral options are available.