H4 to F1 status

[bharat]

Hi

My wife's H4 visa and I94 expires on September 5th 2015. She will be filing for a change of status to F1 using an I20 with a course start date of September 9 2015.
Questions
1. What will be the effective date of the new F1 status. Can it be before course start date?
2 If it has to be the course start date, is it ok if there is a gap of 5 days between that and H4/I94 expiration

Thanks

Bharat

[bharat]

ANother question

3. How long before the start date on i20 can one apply for COS to F1.
In this case the start date is September 9th

[shahpeerally]

Yes in case it was pending during the H4 valid. Since the application for COS is pending she is an authorized period of stay. However, I am a little concerned about other possible issues. Feel free to call us at 510 742 5887 for a consultation.

[bharat]

Thanks. I will do that. What about the question regarding how soon can you apply got COS. If I20 says date in September, can she apply now or there is a limit on number of days you have to apply before