Current Students

Congratulations on your acceptance to Houston Christian University! There are several next steps that you need to take in order to move forward with your enrollment at HCU:

1. Pay your deposit (undergraduate students)
2. Make sure that all of your immigration documents have been submitted so that you can receive your I-20 (F-1 students)
3. Make sure that HCU has your correct mailing address to send the I-20 and admission letter
4. Complete your meningitis vaccination (students under 22 years old)
5. Have your F-1 SEVIS record transferred from your current school to HCU (F-1 students currently inside the U.S.)
6. Schedule your visa interview (F-1 students currently outside the U.S.)
   • U.S. Embassies
   • Visa Application form
   • Take all the required documents with you to the visa interview.
   • Travel to the U.S. with your passport and I-20 in your carry-on luggage.
7. Pay the SEVIS fee if necessary (first time F-1 students)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. F-1 students may apply to receive up to a total of 12 months of practical training either before (pre-) and/or after (post-) completion of studies. Please refer to the following information and forms regarding OPT:

• OPT General Information and Checklist for F-1 Students
• OPT Request Form
• Final Semester Form (PDF)
• I-765, Application for Employment
• Update OPT Information

Current students may seek a reduced course load for one of the following reasons: Academic Difficulties, Medical Conditions, or Completion of Course Study. A student who drops below a full course of study without the prior approval of the DSO will be considered out of status.

• Request for Reduced Course Load (RCL) Authorization

Certain international students may seek to extend or change their status to another non-immigrant status, or an F-1 student may need to apply for reinstatement. If you are seeking to change your immigration status in the U.S. or need reinstatement to legal F-1 status, please contact the International Office for more information and to make an appointment: goglobal@HBU.edu.

Current F-1 students may seek an off campus internship experience for which they will receive academic credit. Students must make an appointment with the International Office and use the following forms:

• CPT General Information Sheet and Checklist
• CPT Department Form