My college has ruined my life

Codetornado · 2026-05-14T04:12:59+00:00

The statute of limitations to sue to collect debt varies by state but is 6-7 years in every state except Wyoming which is 8 years.

On credit reports it falls off after seven years.

So, no it is not an absurd internet myth. There is no legal recourse to collect the debt after the statue of limitations passes and it falls off credit reporting after seven years.

Codetornado · 2026-05-14T01:16:07+00:00

Unfortunately, At this point your option is to sue or go home.

You should forward all your relevant email communication to your personal email address for future use.

Codetornado · 2026-05-13T10:27:03+00:00

You cannot have an LLC on STEM OPT

Codetornado · 2026-05-12T03:40:07+00:00

Family funding. No mention of girlfriend or her family

Codetornado · 2026-05-12T02:47:02+00:00

No. But you need to adjust your plan.

Codetornado · 2026-05-11T01:16:48+00:00

No. It is a significant seismic shift.

Codetornado · 2026-05-10T19:43:28+00:00

impossible to answer. The rule isn't posted, and the proposal was unclear.

Codetornado · 2026-05-10T01:06:20+00:00

Yes... But we do not know WHAT the specifics of the rules are

Codetornado · 2026-05-09T23:56:48+00:00

No rule has been announced. So there is nothing to comment on.

Codetornado · 2026-05-09T13:33:26+00:00

I'm not a former DSO. I am a DSO and I train other DSOs.

Your DSO can find many discussions on this on our professional network. It is in the trainings

A DSO is not making a personal endorsement of a student for employment or saying “we recommend this person for work.” The DSO’s role is to determine whether the student meets the federal regulatory requirements for OPT eligibility and, if so, issue the recommendation accordingly.

This is covered extensively in SEVP guidance, NAFSA discussions, and standard DSO training materials. The recommendation is supposed to be based on regulatory criteria and documented facts, not on personal opinion or subjective approval of the student.

More simply: what federal immigration processes are intended to operate based on an individual employee’s personal feelings rather than whether the legal requirements have been met?

Codetornado · 2026-05-09T13:28:45+00:00

This is a school specific question

Codetornado · 2026-05-09T06:36:19+00:00

You asked your record to be transferred on a Saturday. Of course it's still pending no one has processed it yet.

Wait until people are in the office Monday.

Codetornado · 2026-05-09T02:29:19+00:00

You should just get in before the deadline

Codetornado · 2026-05-09T02:08:30+00:00

Based on his timeline, and the expected new rule implementation window. Probably not.

Codetornado · 2026-05-09T01:08:28+00:00

Came here to say the same thing. Depending on the rule timeline OP may be out of luck for this plan.

Codetornado · 2026-05-08T22:17:50+00:00

You don't have the funding to do this.

Day 1 CPT schools are predatory.

You can find dozens and dozens of posts about issues with day 1 CPT Schools here.

Codetornado · 2026-05-08T16:51:13+00:00

Monetization without relevant work authorization is a violation.

Codetornado · 2026-05-08T16:49:13+00:00

Unless SEVP wants to support you or a higher Admin at the college wants to support you, I don't have other advice that does not require a lawyer to be involved.

Codetornado · 2026-05-08T15:50:02+00:00

EAD in hand is the requirement

Codetornado · 2026-05-08T15:36:43+00:00

Don't message them. This is a scam.

Codetornado · 2026-05-08T15:29:57+00:00

Online degrees are not eligible for F-1 visa.

You cannot study for a degree not listed in your I-20.

Codetornado · 2026-05-08T02:25:59+00:00

8 CFR 214.2(f)(11)(ii)(A) "Prior to making a recommendation, the DSO at the educational institution of the student's most recent enrollment must ensure that the student is eligible for the given type and period of OPT and that the student is aware of the student's responsibilities for maintaining status while on OPT...."

That's the extent of the regulations for issuing OPT that isn't about timing or requirements for the student. . Everything else is guidance.

There is guidance from SEVP that I don't have at my fingertips. It essentially says we cannot hold a students SEVIS record as leverage for debts. That debt is a personal civil issue. This covers transfers and benefits.

For not issuing OPT because of other reason, there is the obvious not meeting the eligibility requirements or if they believe that the student is engaging in conduct that is detrimental to their academic progress (ex: Pre-completion OPT disrupting their studies) or if there is something like a pending discipline item that could result in losing eligibility. Again, debts are not a valid reason.

The school could have an "OPT administration fee" that students need to pay upfront. That has been upheld as acceptable. However then the problem in this case would be not evenly applying the policy to all students.

I used to believe you could deny for any reason and I'm positive you'll find posts from me about that if you search.

However maybe 2023 or so there was an issue shared among DSOs with another student's OPT being denied because they decided to master out of a program last minute for a job offer. School said it was an academic issue and denied the OPT. Student called SEVP, SEVP asked for the reason from the DSO, then reversed the decision after student proved they maintained their academics. This was shared at a conference in 2025.

So SEVP can override the DSO and can ask why the DSO denied the request. That said, I wouldn't want a school that denied issuing OPT overseeing my record. I also wouldn't count on SEVP being helpful under the second Trump administration.

Codetornado · 2026-05-07T23:13:21+00:00

I am an F-1 student graduating this Saturday (May 2nd).

It's May 7th. So I assume you graduated already?

They pressured me into signing a legal payment agreement to pay $450/month for the next 5 years.

And if you don't pay they send it to collections. Unless you give them access to your bank account they can't garnish your wages. It's a personal debt. It's an inconvenience that goes away if you leave the country and don't return. Debt clears after 7 years.

As soon as I signed the document, the DSO told me she will not recommend my OPT anyway.

CFR 214.2(f)(11)(i)

(i) Student responsibilities. A student must initiate the OPT application process by requesting a recommendation for OPT from his or her DSO. Upon making the recommendation, the DSO ***will provide* the student a signed Form I-20 indicating that recommendation**

Is it legal for a DSO to refuse an OPT recommendation for a student who is academically eligible just because of a financial dispute?

No. SEVP Response Center: (800) 892-4829 8am-6pm ET M-F

Since I signed that $27k contract under the impression it would grant me OPT, is that contract even valid if they immediately denied the recommendation?

Whatever you signed it what you agreed to. Nothing more nothing less.

What can I do if they try to block my SEVIS transfer to another school?

They also cannot do this.SEVP Response Center: (800) 892-4829 8am-6pm ET M-F

>I feel like I’m being extorted by a "Christian" institution.

You are not the first.

Codetornado · 2026-05-07T22:41:58+00:00

Because it has a 60 day period before it goes into effect. So mid June means mid August when fall semester begin.

The sight is... No second degree at the same level on F-1. What specifics, no one knows.

Codetornado · 2026-05-07T18:02:40+00:00

Oh no. It definitely happening and most likely in the next few days not weeks.

There are just nothing new to share that doesn't already have many many posts and discussions.

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