COS from H4 to F1; Q's!

[shailu91]

Hi,

I came to US in 2008 on H4 visa. I applied to a Masters program and got admission for Fall 2010.

I want to change my H4 status to F1. My questions are:

1) If I do not change to F1 status will I be eligible to fee waiver and assistantship?

2) IF I apply for COS asap, will I be considered F1 immediately after my COS has been filed?

3) People say in order to apply for COS you need fee waiver on your I20 and some others say, to get a fee waiver you need COS from H4 to F1? I'm confused!

The department in the University I have applied said there wouldn't be any problem for fee waiver and assistant ship. But, I need to get my visa issues straightened!

Please advise, Thanks a bunch in advance!

Cheers
Shailu

[DMX17]

1) No. You cannot work on H4 status.
2) No. You will be considered on H4 status when your Change of Status petition is under processing. Your status only changes when the COS is approved. You will remain on H4 status until them assuming your H4 I-94 remain valid.
3) This does not sound right. One can apply for COS to F1 even if one does not have a fee vaiwer. All that is needed is an I-20.

[shailu91]

Thank you

Regarding my last question, would my Husband (H1) need to show financial documents to support my studies on F1?

[shailu91]

Seniors plz reply.....

Is it a good idea to apply for F1 visa from India, since USCIS takes lot of time. I have a valid H4 visa, I20 from the school for Fall 2010, so can travel to India, get F1 visa and come back?


Please advise...