HELP!! International Student Status

Hi, I am International student who is attending university at virginia w/ valid f1 visa status.
anyway due to personal problems, i think i have to spring semester off but was wondering if I could stay in US till I start going back to school this fall.
I want kinda save flight money and do some extra study by myself since US has much better atmosphere to study compared to my home country.
anyway is there anyway i can stay here w/o breaking any laws?
i heard if i can register to community college and get new i-20 i would be okay. is this true? also do you guys know cheap out of state tuition community college i can attend?

Please help me on this

thanx

 

You probably will be in-status if you get new I-20 from a CC. Make sure a CC will not drop you - on new rules, they have to report to SEVIS databace and you will be "terminated". Remember that in order to stay in F1 status, you have to be registered "full time", with at most one distance class contributing to full time load.

The best advice would be to consult with your university's "international office" or "center" or, if you can afford it, consult an attorney.