I-20 Deferment

Process

Deferring your I-20 is an important process if you are an F-1 student who cannot start your program as originally planned. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

1. Determine the Need for Deferral

Assess your situation to confirm that you need to defer your program start date. Common reasons include delays in visa processing, personal or family emergencies, financial issues, or academic considerations. 

2. Academic Deferral

Graduate Students: 

  • Contact the Graduate College at gcprocessing@txstate.edu to request a deferral.  
  • Copy in your email gcscholarships@txstate.edu if you are receiving graduate scholarships. 
  • Questions concerning funding provided from your academic department such as assistantships should be directed directly to your department. 

Undergraduate Students: 

  • You will need to reapply through Apply Texas and re-pay the application fee.  

3. I-20 Deferral

Request your I-20 deferral no later than 30 days after the program start date of your current TXST I-20. 

Once you have completed the academic deferral, you will need to request your deferral I-20 by completing the Deferral I-20 Request Form

You will need to submit proof of deferred admissions such as the new admissions letter or email notification.  

4. Receive the Updated I-20

Once your deferral I-20 request is approved, ISSS will issue a new I-20 with the updated program start date. Ensure all information on the new I-20 is accurate, including your personal details, program details, and financial information. 

5. Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee Again (If Applicable)

If your SEVIS record has been terminated because your deferral I-20 was submitted after the deadline, or you are issued a new SEVIS number, you may need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again. ISSS will let you know if you will need to pay the fee again.

Starting Your Program Online

Deferring your I-20, but starting your program online in your home country?

Students that cannot start their program physically at Texas State and have decided to enroll for online courses taken outside the U.S. are not considered F-1 international students. You should consider the following and take the necessary steps. 

Your F-1 status time start when you begin your academic program in the U.S. physically present. This means that you might not qualify for certain F-1 benefits such as: 

  1. You cannot hold a graduate assistantship working from outside the U.S.
  2. Participating in Curricular Practical Training (internships) requires 1 academic year in the F-1 status. 

Next Steps: 

  1. If you have decided to start your academic program online outside the U.S., you should follow the deferral process outlined in the above section. Skip #2 Academic Deferral. 
  2. When filing out the Deferral I-20 Request Form select the third option in the Deferral I-20 Request Form “I am requesting an I-20 deferral because:”

I-20 Deferral Request