If you're engaging in a new activity for new for a new period of time in the U.S., you'll need to complete the following steps to officially change your status.
A change of status is an authorization from USCIS to be in the United States for a new reason to engage in a new activity for new period of time. This authorization comes in the form of a new I-94.
THIS IS NOT A VISA. Even if you do a change of status application with USCIS and it is approved, you still need to get the appropriate VISA for your status!
In general, unless there are circumstances which would make travel dangerous and unwise, OISS strongly advises international students and exchange visitors wanting to change their status to obtain the appropriate Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) and to travel back to their home country to apply and obtain their F-1 – getting the appropriate visa is always preferable to doing a change of status application in the United States.
Having said this, any non-U.S. citizen thinking of changing status within the U.S. should schedule an appointment with the Director, OISS to discuss their particular circumstances.
You may decide to file an I-539 online instead of doing a paper application. Please go to this link for more details.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You will not be given an I-20 Form until after Step Four in this process.