Changes to Program of Study | International Student and Scholar Services

Any change to the information contained on the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 must be updated in the SEVIS system. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 reflects accurate information regarding the program of study.

Students should not assume that any changes made in the University system are automatically updated in SEVIS. Students should meet with an advisor at the ISSS office to discuss any changes to the program of study, since some changes may require additional documentation.

Change of Major

When an undergraduate international student changes their primary or secondary major at UNC-CH, the ISSS office will get an alert of this change.

ISSS will make updates in the SEVIS record and issue a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

Changes to the minor will be updated in SEVIS, but a new form will not be issued.

Students will receive a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 through email within three (3) weeks once the change of major is effective in ConnectCarolina. If students have not been notified within this time, they should contact an academic advisor to make sure the change in major has been updated in Connect Carolina, and then notify ISSS.

Change of Degree Level

Students pursuing a change in level to another degree program must submit Students admitted to another degree program at UNC-CH must submit a request for an updated Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 by completing the Admitted/New Student Checklist under Admitted/New Student Services menu in the ISSS Portal.

Students will be asked to upload new financial documents covering the cost of attendance for their new degree program. Once the request is processed, students will be issued a Form I-20 or DS-2019 for the change of level. Students will then be required to complete the ISSS Student Check-In to activate the new record.

Students will maintain the same SEVIS ID number on the new forms (Students in J-1 status can only matriculate to a higher level of study). Requests for a change in level must be submitted to ISSS prior to the end of the previous academic program. Failure to comply with reporting deadlines will result in loss of the student’s immigration status.

Change in Program

International graduate students requesting a change in their program of study should first be admitted by the new academic program and have this information updated by the department in the Connect Carolina system. Once the program information is updated, ISSS will update the SEVIS record and issue a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 which will be emailed to the student.