OPT applied too early, PhD stipend stopped

[SA1]

I applied for OPT two months before my final PhD graduation. I was misadvised and now I have to deal with not getting paid my PhD stipend. They terminated my student status. Is there any way around it? My school forgot to mention this one "little" details when they were guiding me through the process. They said I can start getting paid once I get my EAD card. Also, they can't reimburse me legally for the time lost? Anyone in the same boat? Any advice?

[rituraj]

I applied for OPT two months before my final PhD graduation. I was misadvised and now I have to deal with not getting paid my PhD stipend. They terminated my student status. Is there any way around it? My school forgot to mention this one "little" details when they were guiding me through the process. They said I can start getting paid once I get my EAD card. Also, they can't reimburse me legally for the time lost? Anyone in the same boat? Any advice?

you should not be penalised for applying for OPT in advance. Since you have NOT graduated, your student status cannot be terminated. If you are applying for post graduation OPT, the international office trims your I20 to be valid until the day of your graduation.

As a PhD student, you can report your thesis submission day or the official graduation day as the day on the I20. If you chose the earlier, and by misjudment you could not finish your PhD defense by then, you cannot be paid, since your I20 got terminated.

I dont know, but ask them since you havent graduated, can they extend your I20 upto the day you offiically graduate. Good luck

[kabkaba]

If you apply for post-completition OPT with immediate start date, that means you are no longer studying. But there is a way out, your school's DSO can request a SEVIS data fix and change your status to student again. But, that will mean the OPT will be converted to pre-completion OPT while you are studying and back to post-completition after you complete.