Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW)

F-1 students physically present in the U.S. may be granted a temporary withdrawal from Austin Community College due to a family emergency, personal matter, or another circumstance that requires the student to leave the U.S. prior to the I-20 end date and before the completing the academic program. This can occur while the semester is in session or during the vacation period before the next semester begins.

If approved, the student’s SEVIS record will be terminated, and the student may request the DSO reactivate the SEVIS record as long as the student plans to return to the U.S. and resume enrollment at ACC within 5 months or the next available semester, whichever is sooner.

F-1 students must contact the International Student Office (ISO) before withdrawing from ACC and before departing the U.S. Withdrawing from classes and departing the U.S. without DSO authorization is a violation of the F-1 status and the student’s SEVIS record will be updated to reflect “Terminated for Unauthorized Early Withdrawal.”

Requesting AEW

To request an Authorized Early Withdrawal, submit the following documents to the ISO by email ([email protected]): 

• A completed Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW) Request Form
• Proof of Departure:
  • If departing the U.S. by air, attached a copy of the departure flight itinerary or airline ticket in the email.
  • If departing the U.S. by car, include the date of departure in the email.

Students who have withdrawn from classes or departed the U.S. will not be approved AEW.

AEW Approval and Departing the U.S.

If the AEW request is approved:

• Enrolled students may withdraw from classes after receiving notification from the International Student Office that the AEW has been approved. Review withdraw deadlines.
• The student’s SEVIS record will be updated to reflect “Terminated for Authorized Early Withdrawal.”
• AEW approved students are granted a 15-day grace period to depart the U.S. after the termination date.
• The student may not remain in the U.S. after the 15-day grace period. If the student does not leave the U.S. within 15 days, the student will be in the U.S. without authorization and in violation of the F-1 status. This may have negative implications on the student’s ability to reenter the U.S. and apply for another visa.
• Once the SEVIS record is terminated the student is ineligible to resume any on or off-campus employment.
• F-2 dependent SEVIS records will also be terminated and all F-2 dependents must depart the U.S.

Returning After Authorized Early Withdrawal

The student must return to the U.S. and begin classes within 5 months (or the next available semester, whichever is sooner) to keep the F-1 status active. The student may not use the F-1 visa to enter the U.S. before receiving instructions and a new Form I-20 from the International Student Office.

Steps before returning:

• Contact the ISO by email ([email protected]) at least 60 days before returning to the U.S. A DSO will submit a request to SEVP to reactivate the SEVIS record. Reactivation is not guaranteed.
  • If returning to the U.S. by air, attached a copy of the arrival flight itinerary or airline ticket in the email.
  • If returning to the U.S. by car, include the date of return in the email.
• If approved, the DSO will provide the student with a new Form I-20 with a new program start date.
• The student may return to the U.S. up to 30 days prior to I-20 program start date.

If the student is absent from the U.S. for more than five months, the student must request a new initial I-20, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, and if the F-1 visa is expired, apply for a new F-1 visa before re-entering the U.S.