USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) has proposed a change in immigration policy for determining whether an F-1 or J-1 student has overstayed their visa in the United States.
This policy change will affect F-1 and J-1 students and their dependents who have violated their status.Examples of a status violation are as follows: not studying full-time in fall/spring semester, working without authorization, staying in the U.S. beyond the grace period (60 days for F visa holders, 30 days for J visa holders).
This policy change has not yet gone into effect. This policy is set to go in effect on August 9, 2018.
You can read the USCIS Policy Memo and the response from NAFSA (Association of International Educators) here: http://www.nafsa.org/Content.aspx?id=58700
F-1 and J-1 students and their dependents who have maintained their nonimmigrant status still earn their grace period and take advantage of the benefits available to them.
International Student Services will provide further information when it is available.