Changing Status
What happens if your plans change radically and you no longer wish to be a full-time student? Under US law, you cannot remain in the US on a student visa unless you are a student! Before you quit school, learn everything you can about changing to another immigration status; inform yourself about what is and is not possible. If you violate your current status, you will not be allowed to change to any other status. As a first step, get the advice of your international-student advisor. If the advisor does not have the expert information you need, he or she may refer you to an immigration attorney. Whatever you do, do not rush things. Changing to another immigration status usually takes many months. To initiate the process, you must file a petition with the USCIS, and you may not receive a response for several months or over a year. If you are seeking to change to a status in which employment is permitted, you must not begin employment until you receive an approval notice from the USCIS.
If you change your status while in the US and then leave the country, you will have to obtain a new entry visa under the new status before returning to the US. Do not re-enter using your F-1 visa unless you plan to be a full-time student again.