@NE_Patriots - where is the DHS announcement you mentioned in your post? The link you provided implies that students won't be able to use the 17 extension after Feb 2016 ONLY IF the DHS doesn't publish a notice, allow public to comment, and then re-issue the extension rule by then. Did the DHS announce that they don't intend to do so? I find this highly unlikely since recently (in May 2015) the DHS briefed the Senate Judiciary Committee that they are proposing that the initial 12 month OPT be extended to up to two 24-month periods. Given that President Obama announced in 2014 that he would expand and extend the OPT program, I think it is highly unlikely that the DHS won't re-issue the extension by Feb 2016. Having said that, if for some reason, Hillary thinks that this will hurt her chances and pressures Obama (and DHS) to not do anything then what will happen is anyone's guess (but I don't see why Hillary wouldn't want the extension).