Re-entry on F1 visa between two I-20 dates

[Anushreya 0]

Hello everyone.
I am a current student on F1 here in USA. I finish my MS in May and my I-20 has been changed to show the last date as May 16, 2019.
I will be coming back to the same school for PhD in Fall and the new I-20 starts from 3rd September, 2019.
I want to travel to my home country over the summer and want to return in July which is a time that is not covered by either of my I-20s. My school says since I am a continuing student I will be allowed in the country without a signature on my PhD I-20.
Has anyone here have any experience with this? Will I be allowed to come back in the US mid-July?
Thanks for all the help.

[nastra30 2,285]

As long as your F1 Visa hasn't expired.

[jan22 3,054]

23 hours ago, nastra30 said:

As long as your F1 Visa hasn't expired.

You also need a valid I-20.  You can enter 30 days prior to the start date on the I-20.  July is too early, unless the school is willing to sign off to extend the first I-20 or change the start date on the new I-20.  You might get lucky and get an immigration officer who doesn't focus on the date -- but it's a risk.

[Anushreya 0]

1 minute ago, jan22 said:

You also need a valid I-20.  You can enter 30 days prior to the start date on the I-20.  July is too early, unless the school is willing to sign off to extend the first I-20 or change the start date on the new I-20.  You might get lucky and get an immigration officer who doesn't focus on the date -- but it's a risk.

The DSO at my school says since I'm a continuing student, it won't matter. She mentioned the "enter 30 days before I20 date" holds only for students coming for the first time. Will a letter from my school be sufficient to prove I'm a continuing student?

[jan22 3,054]

11 hours ago, Anushreya said:

The DSO at my school says since I'm a continuing student, it won't matter. She mentioned the "enter 30 days before I20 date" holds only for students coming for the first time. Will a letter from my school be sufficient to prove I'm a continuing student?

That's what the  I-20 is for.