Can Prospective International Students Still Begin Under the Previous F-1 Regulations for Fall 2026?

Yes. Prospective international students who begin eligible Fall 2026 programs at Midwestern Career College before the new F-1 regulations take effect on September 15, 2026, may initially begin their studies under the previous regulations, provided they complete the required enrollment steps and attend classes beginning on the first day of the term.

What Is Changing Under the New F-1 Regulations?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule that changes how long F-1 academic students may remain in the United States. The rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.

Under the new regulations, F-1 students will generally be admitted for a fixed period of stay rather than for Duration of Status, commonly shown as D/S on Form I-94. The authorized period of stay will instead be reflected as an Admit Until Date.

In most cases, the Admit Until Date will correspond with the program end date listed on the student’s Form I-20, up to a maximum of four years, followed by a 30-day grace period. Students who need additional time may be required to file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before their authorized stay expires.

Can New Fall 2026 Students Begin Under the Previous Regulations?

Prospective international students beginning an eligible Midwestern Career College program before September 15, 2026, may initially begin under the previous F-1 regulations.

To do so, prospective students must complete the required steps for the Fall 2026 term:

1. Pay tuition before the program start date.
2. Enroll in classes as scheduled.
3. Attend classes beginning on the first day of the term.

Because Midwestern Career College’s Fall 2026 business and ESL programs begin before the September 15 effective date, prospective students who timely complete these steps will initially be subject to the regulations in effect when their programs begin.

Which Fall 2026 Programs Begin Before September 15?

Business & IT Degree Programs

Midwestern Career College’s Fall 2026 business degree programs begin on August 24, 2026.

Prospective international students who are admitted, complete registration, pay tuition, enroll in classes, and attend beginning on August 24 may initially begin under the previous F-1 regulations.

• AAS in Business Administration
• AAS in Accounting
• AAS in Marketing
• AAS in Information Technology

English as a Second Language Programs

Midwestern Career College’s Fall 2026 English as a Second Language programs begin on September 14, 2026, one day before the new rule takes effect.

Prospective F-1 students must complete all required enrollment steps and attend classes beginning on the first day of the term. Prospective students should not assume that applying before September 15, by itself, is sufficient.

• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Professional English
• English for Academic Purposes
• English for Healthcare

What Else Should Prospective F-1 Students Know?

The new rule includes several other changes that may affect international students after September 15, 2026.

• F-1 students will generally receive a fixed authorized period of stay.
• The post-program grace period will generally be reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
• Students who need additional time may be required to apply for an Extension of Stay with USCIS.
• Undergraduate students may face limitations on changing their educational objective or transferring schools during their first academic year.
• After completing a program, students may face restrictions on beginning another program at the same or a lower educational level while remaining in F-1 status.
• English language training may be subject to a lifetime maximum of 24 months.

These changes may affect students differently depending on their program, immigration history, arrival date, Form I-20, and individual circumstances.

How to Begin the Fall 2026 Admission Process

Prospective international students interested in beginning a business or ESL program before the new regulations take effect should begin the admissions process as soon as possible.

Completing an application or receiving a Form I-20 does not, by itself, establish that a prospective student has begun a program under the previous regulations. Students must also complete registration requirements, pay tuition, enroll in classes, and attend beginning on the first day of the term.

Learn More About International Student Admission

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a prospective international student still begin under the previous F-1 regulations?

Yes. A prospective international student who begins an eligible Fall 2026 program at Midwestern Career College before September 15, 2026, and timely completes the required enrollment steps may initially begin under the previous regulations.

When do the new F-1 regulations take effect?

The new DHS final rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.

Which Midwestern Career College programs begin before the new rule takes effect?

Fall 2026 business degree programs begin on August 24, 2026. Fall 2026 ESL programs begin on September 14, 2026.

Is applying before September 15 enough?

No. Prospective students must also pay tuition before the program start date, enroll in classes as scheduled, and attend classes beginning on the first day of the term.

Do prospective students need to begin attending classes before September 15?

Yes. The relevant Fall 2026 programs begin before the effective date. Business degree classes begin August 24, and ESL classes begin September 14. Prospective students must attend beginning on the first scheduled day of the term.

Does this article provide legal advice?

No. Midwestern Career College provides general immigration-related information for prospective and current international students but does not provide legal advice. Individuals with questions about their specific immigration circumstances should consult a qualified immigration attorney.

Midwestern Career College will continue monitoring guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Information may be updated as additional official guidance becomes available.