Annual Vacation Overview & Preparation

​​​​​Annual Vacation Overview

F-1 students are eligible to take an annual vacation after completing their academic year requirement at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. During the approved Annual Vacation, F-1 student' s SEVIS record is in an ACTIVE status unless otherwise are notified, and students can participate in CPT, and travel internationally. This form must be completed prior to taking any vacations. 

Annual Vacation Process Overview

Step 1 : Students review their Annual Vacation eligibility listed below.

Step 2 :  Students complete and submit the Annual Vacation Request Form.

  • Please be sure you are logged into your Westcliff University email account when accessing the form. Only Westcliff University accounts are given permission to access the digital form. 
  • Annual Vacation Form usually is open one month prior to the semester start date, please subscribe to the MailChimp here to receive notification.
  • All forms and documents are accessible via Westcliff Email Account. As soon as you complete the form, you will be in the queue for processing.

Step 3:  Students receive the decision email (review time can be up to 2-3 weeks)

Step 4:  Students receive the Vacation I-20 (first 3 weeks of the vacation semester).

Step 5:  Registrar team will remove courses for the approved annual vacation semester.

Step 6:  Student accounts team will adjust the invoices for the approved annual vacation semester.

Step 7:  Students on CPT will attend CPT course.

Step 8:  Students resume class for the next semester.


Annual Vacation Basic Information

  • SEVIS Status: During a university-approved annual vacation, F-1 students' SEVIS I-20 records will remain in 'Active' F-1 status. Students travel internationally, travel within the U.S., and/or do Curricular Practical Training (CPT) (provided they are enrolled in the internship course).
  • Processing time: Due to annual vacation requests being reviewed by several departments, the processing time can be up to 2-3 weeks. 
  • Courses/Invoices on Student First portal: Your courses enrollment and invoices for approved annual vacation will be removed or adjusted after the 3rd week of the approved annual vacation semester.
  • If determined eligible, students may be approved for vacation for one full semester (two sessions) only and can only be granted an annual vacation once per year. 
  • Disclaimer: Upon returning from vacation, if the student cannot be scheduled for program courses or concentration courses, then the student will still need to maintain status by enrolling in another 3 credit courses. 

F-1 Annual Vacation Eligibility


To be approved for Annual Vacation, F-1 students must meet the following requirements before applying:

  • Clearing Outstanding Tuition Balances - Please note that if you have an outstanding balance of any previous semester(s) that may cause a hold on your account, we will not be able to process a vacation request until this is resolved with our Student Accounts Department and your hold is lifted.
  • Meet the Academic Requirements
    • Undergraduate Level
      • Undergraduate students must have been enrolled in a full course of study for at least one academic year (24 credits) before requesting for an annual vacation for the Spring semester or Fall semester.
    • Graduate Level
      • All Semesters: Graduate students must have been enrolled in a full course of study for at least one academic year (18 credits) before requesting for an annual vacation.
    • All Levels
      • According to university policy, and to ensure the necessary classes are available for students to graduate on time, students entering their last semester of study are not eligible for vacation.
      • If students have taken a previous vacation, they must complete an additional academic year after the most recent vacation to be eligible for another one.
      • Students who have changed their program must have been enrolled in the new program for a full course of study for at least one academic year before requesting for an annual vacation.
      • Find your earned Credits: log in your Student First portal > Academics 
  • Earned Credits
    • Find your earned credits on your Student First portal. Log in you Student First Portal - Home - Academics.
    • Please note that all credits must be accumulated at Westcliff University in order to be eligible for an annual vacation. Transfer credits and internship course credits do not count toward the vacation eligibility requirements. Credits counting towards vacation must be earned in the current program of study. 


Continuing CPT During the Vacation Period


All F-1 students who wish to do CPT during their vacation period must still enroll and continue to participate in a corresponding internship course. For students choosing this option, an internship course will be the only course the student takes during the vacation period. To apply or renew CPT during your annual vacation semester, please submit the CPT application form separately on the university forms here. 

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