Jemi

I'm a student here in the US on j1 visa and on full kenya 4yr government
schorlaship pursuing undergrad studies in education 2002-205 . the two
home residency applies to me. My problem is my sponsor paid my fee and
personal funds for one year and the situation as it is it is like he is
pulling out sighting sponsorship award irregularities though i have not
been communicated to officially. I have not paid tuition for the last
semester. My dillema is do i find other means to support myself and pay
by myself? do i change my visa to f1? how is it going to impact on my
status especially if i apply for a waiver? considering my family is
here? spouse and kids? Pls advice

Sylvia Ottemoeller

"jemi" <> wrote in message
news:...

    > I'm a student here in the US on j1 visa and on full kenya 4yr government
    > schorlaship pursuing undergrad studies in education 2002-205 . the two
    > home residency applies to me. My problem is my sponsor paid my fee and
    > personal funds for one year and the situation as it is it is like he is
    > pulling out sighting sponsorship award irregularities though i have not
    > been communicated to officially. I have not paid tuition for the last
    > semester. My dillema is do i find other means to support myself and pay
    > by myself?

I suggest that you meet with your J-1 counselor in the international office
of your school and have a long serious talk. If you can support yourself
legally (for example, with legal on-campus employment), then yes, you can do
so. You can have a new DS 2019 issued which indicates the changed
circumstances of your funding. You can continue to hold J-1 status until
you graduate, and then you are eligible for 18 months of J-1 academic
training.

do i change my visa to f1?

This could be difficult. You are not eligible to change status within the
U.S. because you are obligated to the 2 year home residence requirement.
You could get yourself and your family into F-1 and F-2 status, but that
would require your leaving the U.S., probably going to Kenya, applying for F
visa stamps, and re-entering the U.S. This would probably be risky.

As a J-2 status holder, your spouse can get work authorization. As a F-2
holder, she or he cannot. Also, as an F-1 holder you are eligible for only
12 months of optional practical training after graduation, compared with the
18 months of academic training available for the J-1 holder.

how is it going to impact on my
    > status especially if i apply for a waiver? considering my family is
    > here? spouse and kids? Pls advice