Please help me guys,
My H1b is going to start from October 1 this year. My Opt got over in May and now I am going to school to maintain my stutus until my H1b starts, Octover 1st. My tuition fee is too high. I have paid just 2500 so far out of 7000$ a semester. I don't want to pay the rest of the money. Can I drop my classes after my H1b start i.e october 1st. The reason i want to drop my classes is i don't want to pay extra 3500$ for rest of the semester. Please advise if it effects my status.

Doesn't your work have tuition reimbursement benefits? I know a lot of companies pay upto $5000 annually. One of the criteria to be eligible might be that you have to take classes that'll help you in your job. You should look into that.

any idea

I think your F1 changes to H1 automatically after Oct 1 if your H1 approval notice came with attached I-94 card (which means that your Change of Status or COS petition was also approved along with H1). Just to make sure, you can go to your school after Oct 1 and ask them to terminate your F1.

But from what you've written, I doubt that your COS was approved. I think you had already filed for H1 in April and got your new I-20 only in May after your OPT expired. If that's the case, I think your I-94 card didn't come with your H1 approval. If so, you have two options;

a) Ask your company to file COS ammendment petition with your new I-20. USCIS will process your COS from your current F1 to H1 and send you I-94 card. Advantage is you won't have to leave US for H1 stamping. Disadvantage is you don't know how long will it take and you can't work until it is approved.

b) Go out of US (Nepal, Canada, Mexico) and get the H1 stamping by Oct 10. I'm not sure about this 10 day regulation but had read somewhere that you need to get the stamp within 10 days of the start date.

If you can wait, I suggest trying to change status from F1 to H1 from within the US to avoid unnecessary visa complications outside US. First time visa stamping can be a little difficult in countries other than your home country. Hope this helps.

Good Luck!

thanks PallaGhareAntare.
MY COS is also already approved. And, I do have new I-94. My question is...Do I have to continue classes that I have taken right now (9 credits) to maintain my status. I just wanted to drop those classes after my H1b starting date to avoid the additional $4500 that i have to pay for the rest of the semester. I will really appreicate your suggestion.

please suggesst

i need you guys suggestion please

From what I've heard you can drop the classes, but don't count me on that. The rules and regulation are slightly messed up in this country.

I'd say talk to your company lawyer or the international student advisor in your school. They will know for sure.

can you guys shed some idea in this issue

Of course you can drop your classes on/after the date your H1B is approved for. You don’t need to worry about your F1 status after that date. But it is good to check with your school’s business office if you are still responsible for the remaining balance. I know most schools have a deadline to drop and get full refund. It all depends on your school’s refund policy.

i have same situation like yours i just ttok my approval letter to the counsler and she told me i don;t have to take any more classes so i didn't had to register she just terminate my I20 and change my status to H1. but you already paid half of your tution i don't know they will give your money back or not but once your I20 is yerminate and change your status to H1 you don't have to go to school as per my knowledge. make sure that whenever you take your approval letter they change your status and they will give you one copy saying you I20 ahs been terminated and the reason is "h1 approval".

can anyone please shed some idea in this issue

If you are still enrolled in a school as an F-1 then you can drop classes afer your H-1B kicks in since you are not required to take classes on H-1B status.