An assurance from a Department of Education‑recognized regional or national organization that a school’s education meets an acceptable level of quality.

The process that SEVP uses to decide the outcome for schools petitioning for certification, submitting their recertification package or making updates to the Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Students.”

The period of time, the equivalent of one academic term, which an F student is eligible to take off from school. F students become eligible after completing one academic year and may then take one term of vacation each following year.

A degree typically offered at community or junior colleges that usually takes at least two but less than four years of full-time college work to complete.

A designated school official-authorized temporary absence for F-1 students. Students with records placed in Terminated status for authorized early withdrawal have 15 days to depart the United States.

A degree offered in undergraduate programs at four-year colleges or universities.

An application, petition, motion, appeal, or other request relating to an immigration benefit, whether such request is filed on a paper form or submitted in an electronic format, provided such request is submitted in a manner prescribed by DHS for such purpose. Examples include working, driving or obtaining a Social Security number.

The cap is the limit on the number of individuals who can receive H-1B status every fiscal year. The gap is the period of time between the end of an individual’s F-1 status and the beginning of the individual’s H-1B status.

The process of petitioning the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to enroll F and M nonimmigrant students. Approved schools can issue these students Forms I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”

The date on which a school’s Student and Exchange Visitor certification expires.