Graduation

Commencement 2025 & livestream information

Mitchell Brooks Wolfe — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 18:43:34 +0000

Commencement 2025 & livestream information Mitchell Brook… Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:43

You are invited to participate in the university commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 8, at Folsom Field.

Colleges, schools, departments and programs will also hold recognition ceremonies May 8–10, so be sure to review the schedule and plan to attend.

Review the pre-graduation checklist to ensure you are prepared to graduate.

If you are in need of a visa letter for family and friends traveling internationally, submit a visa letter request form.

Commencement Livestream

For family and friends who aren't able to attend the ceremony in person, a livestream option will be available on the day of commencement on the commencement website.

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ISSS spring 2025 graduation reception: Friday, May 9, 2025

Carolyn Salter — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 15:32:11 +0000

ISSS spring 2025 graduation reception: Friday, May 9, 2025 Carolyn Salter Mon, 02/24/2025 - 08:32

The spring 2025 reception for graduating international students and their guests will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025. ISSS will provide light refreshments, photo opportunities, and a relaxing atmosphere to mingle with other international graduates. There is no required dress code, no RSVP is required.

When: Friday, May 9, 2025 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- This is a ‘drop-in’ event, meaning you can visit any time between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Where: Tent on University Club Lawn (across from the CASE building) NEW LOCATION!

We look forward to hosting a lovely afternoon reception for our Spring 2025 graduates!

Gold Cords for International Graduates

If you will graduate in spring 2025, you may pick up a gold cord to wear at commencement. The gold cord represents the international student population at the 91��.

Cords are available for pick-up between April 1 and May 7 at the ISSS front desk. You must bring your Buff One card. Only one cord will be given per person.

A cord denotes achievement or involvement within the university, be it academic, sports, professional organization, or being a member of a particular campus group. The cord is worn over the shoulders (see image). Students wear their cords at graduation events and official commencement ceremonies.

Questions

If you have any questions about the reception on May 9 or about the cords, email isss@colorado.edu and write Spring Reception in the subject line.

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Are you an international student in F-1 status completing your academic program spring 2025? Here are some important reminders

Carolyn Salter — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:29:38 +0000

Are you an international student in F-1 status completing your academic program spring 2025? Here are some important reminders Carolyn Salter Tue, 01/14/2025 - 08:29

Notify ISSS

If you are completing your degree requirements in spring 2025:
- Complete the ISSS Confirmation of Final Semester e-form available in the MyISSS portal.
If you plan to defend your dissertation or thesis prior to the start of the summer 2025 term:
- Email ISSS as soon as possible to discuss important information regarding your F-1 status.

Your I-20 End Date will be Shortened

Your F-1 status is based on continued required enrollment or post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)

If you complete your studies in spring 2025, including defending your thesis or dissertation before the start of the summer 2025 term, the academic program end date on your I-20 will be shortened to May 7, 2025.

Students who meet all degree requirements cannot continue to be enrolled for administrative purposes.

Successfully defending your thesis or dissertation means you do not need to enroll in subsequent terms. Continued enrollment for administrative purposes is not allowed.
If you complete all degree requirements but continue enrolling in courses for other purposes, such as preparing for graduate school or completing a certificate, this is considered enrollment for administrative purposes only.
Enrollment for administrative purposes does not maintain your F-1 status.

Consult ISSS for Post-Graduation Options

Discuss your options for staying in the U.S. after defending your thesis or completing your degree.

60-Day Grace Period

If you complete your degree requirements in spring 2025 or defend your master's thesis or Ph.D. dissertation before the start of the summer 2025 term, your grace period to legally remain in the U.S. in F-1 status ends on July 6, 2025, 60-days after your I-20 end date.

Work Authorization On and Off-Campus

Your ability to work in the U.S. is based on your continued enrollment or OPT authorization.

All employment authorization ends on the last day of the spring 2025 semester, May 7, 2025. This applies to on-campus employment (including teaching and research assistantships) and off-campus work authorization (e.g., curricular practical training, pre-completion OPT).
To work after May 7, 2025, you must:
- Apply for post-completion OPT before the end of your 60-day grace period.
- Receive your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card.
- Be within the work authorization period indicated on your EAD card.

Applying for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)

If you are graduating or defending your thesis/dissertation and are interested in applying for post-completion OPT, you must apply before the end of your 60-day grace period. USCIS must receive your application no later than July 6, 2025.

For spring 2025 graduates, the 60-day grace period ends on July 6, 2025, 60 days after the semester end date of May 7, 2025.

Before filing your OPT application with USCIS, you must receive an I-20 recommending OPT from ISSS.

ISSS recommends applying for post-completion OPT as close to 90 days prior to your F-1 program completion date as possible to increase your chances of receiving your OPT EAD card in a timely manner.
For spring 2025 graduates, the earliest ISSS can make the required OPT recommendation in SEVIS is February 6, 2025.

Visit our OPT webpage and attend a Post-Completion OPT Workshop to learn about the application process.

Congratulations and best of luck to our graduates!

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