CCA Transition FAQs for F-1 Nonimmigrants
Frequently Asked Questions for currently enrolled F-1 students
Q. What happens to my F-1 SEVIS record with news of this change for CCA?
A. CCA continues to have approval to host F-1 international students. There is no impact on your SEVIS record or ability to maintain F-1 status while CCA is open.
Q. I am a currently enrolled F-1 international student who wants to transfer from CCA to another SEVIS approved school in the US. What should I do?
A. You must request that International Student Services (ISS) release your SEVIS record to your new school. More information can be found on the SEVIS Transfer Information page on CCA Portal: Transferring F-1 SEVIS record out of CCA
The timeline to transfer with an active SEVIS record is something students should discuss with ISS, so please schedule an appointment to review all information.
Q. I am a currently enrolled F-1 international student wishing to withdraw from CCA classes and depart the United States (not transferring to a US based school). What should I do?
A. F-1 students must be enrolled full-time each academic semester to maintain nonimmigrant status. If you are deciding to withdraw from CCA classes and leave the US once the semester has started, withdrawing from classes means that you cannot maintain your F-1 status in the United States since you aren't enrolled full-time. ISS will need to terminate your F-1 SEVIS record within 15 days of the withdrawal from CCA classes. You should make plans to depart the US before the end of that 15 day period to avoid any undue hardship with future immigration requests.
Please schedule an appointment to discuss more about your situation.
Q: I am a current F-1 student that will complete all of my degree requirements by June 2027. Can I still apply for OPT?
A : ISS is actively working on options and information for students planning to apply for OPT in light of the school’s planned closure, and we will share updates as soon as they are available. At this time, information about status continuation after closure is still being finalized, and we will let you know what your options are as soon as we can. Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 graduates should plan to apply accordingly and to apply as early as possible.
Q : Why can’t F-1 students change their major to the new BA in Art and Design?
A : CCA was recently approved to offer this new BA degree program by our primary accreditor, WASC, to provide students with an alternative pathway to complete their degrees. However, before enrolling F-1 students, all new degree programs require approval by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Unfortunately, the current timeline for SEVP review of a new degree program is 18 to 24 months. So, this new program cannot be approved to enroll our F-1 students before CCA closes after the 2026 - 2027 academic year.
Frequently Asked Questions for F-1 alums on active OPT / STEM OPT
Q. I am a CCA alum on OPT/ STEM OPT. What happens to my SEVIS record and current employment authorization?
A. If your OPT / STEM OPT period ends before June 2027, there will be no impact on your work authorization.
For alums whose OPT / STEM OPT period ends after June 2027, please know that International Student Services is actively working with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to explore all options to best support our alumni. More information will be provided via email to alumni directly impacted, and information updates will be provided on the following portal pages as soon as they are available: