Extension of your Fulbright non-cash benefits is not automatic. In order to receive an extension you must justify your request in terms of progress toward the objective for which you were awarded your Fulbright grant. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete information about your academic program.

The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board has set limits on a grantee's stay to a maximum of three years for a Master's candidate and five years for a Ph.D. candidate, including time spent in academic training. Individual Fulbright Commissions and Foundations abroad have established maximum time limitations for their grantees. These range from 10 months to a maximum of five years. If you have questions about your length of stay, you should consult with your IIE Regional Center.

IIE will send a copy of the Request for Extension form to the Fulbright Commission/Foundation or the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in your home country to report your progress and future plans.

Required Documents to Apply for an Extension of your Fulbright Sponsorship

Before you submit this request for extension, please make sure you have the following:

Instructions for Fulbright Extension Requests

Outline your Spring 2006 and current Fall 2006 activities. If you are a non-degree student or visiting researcher and you were not required to take courses during 2006, clearly outline your academic activities for the past year.

Transcripts
IIE cannot review your Request for Extension without a current, official copy of your academic transcript (web-based or photocopies are not acceptable.) If you have not done so already, please request that the Registrar on your campus send a copy directly to your IIE representative.

If you are a Visiting Researcher, you are required to submit a Visiting Researcher Report Form in lieu of a transcript.

International Travel
If you plan to travel abroad, indicate whether you need to renew your J-1 visa while you are abroad. For important information regarding international travel and required immigration documentation, review theTravel Update.

Employment
During approved academic breaks (including summer, spring and winter breaks) you are eligible to apply for full-time work authorization as long as you are returning to your studies in the following academic semester/term. If you plan to work during the summer to support yourself until your academic program begins in the fall, you should provide the available details regarding your employer in Section 2 under 'Other.' Contact your IIE Regional Center for more details regarding the required documentation for J-1 employment authorization. No restrictions apply to the type of employment that you may accept during approved academic breaks.

Anticipated Full-Time Courses for Spring 2007 and Fall 2007
List all courses/credits for which you will enroll during Spring 2007 and Fall 2007 academic year. If the available courses have not yet been published, list the total number of credits you anticipate completing in the coming academic year.

**NOTE: It is a J-1 visa regulation that students must maintain full-time student status throughout their Exchange Visitor program. Exception: if you are in your last academic semester/term and have less than a full-time course load to complete your program requirements.

If you are planning to take a leave of absence from your academic institution in order to pursue research abroad, please contact your IIE Regional Center for further information.

Expected Date of Degree or Non-Degree Program Completion
If your expected date of completion has changed since your arrival or last extension, explain the reason for the change.

Leave of Absence from Home Employer
If you are on leave from a position in your home country and your leave of absence expires during your requested extension period, you must contact your home employer and request an extension of your leave of absence. A copy of the letter from your employer must be mailed to IIE.

Endorsement of Academic Advisor
Your Academic Advisor must sign your form to verify that (1) you are progressing successfully in your course work and (2) your outlined objectives for Spring 2007 and Fall 2007 are realistic.

Estimated Expenses
List your estimated expenses for Spring 2007 and Fall 2007. Check your university website for the tuition and fees for the next year. Your Foreign Student Advisor may also be a resource to assist you in estimating your anticipated living expenses for the requested extension period.

Source of Financial Support
Outline clearly your financial support for Spring 2007 and Fall 2007 and the sources from which your support will come.

NOTE: You must provide support documents such as a bank statement, copies of university awards and/or scholarship letters verifying the funding you have listed above.

J-2 Dependents
If you have J-2 Dependents with you in the US, you must complete the J-2 Dependent Data Sheet and return it to your IIE Regional Center contact along with the Request for Extension form and required financial support documents.

Student Signature
By signing your form, you are verifying that all the information related to your academic program and funding is correct.

Endorsement of Foreign Student Advisor
Your Foreign Student Advisor (in the International Students Office on campus) must sign your form to verify that you are currently enrolled full-time and that your anticipated expenses for Spring 2007 and Fall 2007 are correct.

NOTE: IIE cannot review your Request for Extension until both your Academic Advisor and Foreign Student Advisor have signed your completed form.

Go To Request for Mid Academic Year Extension.