Shortening DS-2019 for Defense

The semester you defend is your final semester. ISSO will shorten your DS-2019 to the last day of the semester you defend. For example, if you defend on March 15, ISSO will shorten your DS-2019 to May 7 (the last day of the Spring Semester). 

Interim Defense and DS-2019 End Date

If you defend after one semester ends and another semester begins, your DS-2019 and ISU work authorization will be shortened to the end date of the previous semester. 

Interim Defense Example:

Spring semester end date: May 7
Summer semester start date: May 17
Defense date: May 14
New DS-2019 end date: May 7

Defense on Day 1 of Semester

Scenario 1: If you defend on the first day of the semester and will not register for that semester, ISSO will shorten your DS-2019 and ISU work authorization to the last day of the previous semester that you were registered for.

Scenario 2: If you defend on the first day of the semester and are registered for that semester, ISSO will shorten your DS-2019 and ISU work authorization to the last day of the semester that you are registered for. 

Employment End Date

On-Campus Employment End Date

All on-campus employment must end on your DS-2019 end date. If you defend in the Spring Semester and your DS-2019 was shortened to May 7, you must stop all on-campus employment on or before May 7. 

Letter of Intent (LOI) End Date

When ISSO shortens your DS-2019, we will also shorten your ISU work authorization. All on-campus employment must end on your DS-2019 end date.

Academic Training (AT) Authorization End Date

If your Academic Training authorization ends after the semester end date, your DS-2019 will be shortened to your Academic Training end date. 

University Graduation

Iowa State University's policies and deadlines around graduation are administrative and do not impact your J-1 status. For J-1 students, the semester you defend is your final semester. Review this Graduate College exam date resource and Graduate College Defense Date Policies that outlines graduation deadlines, enrollment requirements, and impact on assistantship. Graduate College policies can be found in the Graduate College Handbook.

What Comes Next

Options After DS-2019 Ends

Before your DS-2019 ends, you are eligible to apply for Academic Training. Academic Training must be approved before your DS-2019 ends and the employment start date must be no later than 30 days after the semester ends. 

After your DS-2019 ends, you have a 30 day grace period. During your 30-day grace period you can: 

Cancelling Defense

If you have cancelled your defense and need additional time to complete your program requirements, you must apply for a Program Extension in Cystart to request to have your DS-2019 extended.