Go-better, You have to be in status. But you can surely do distance learning if the college issuing I-20 allowes you to do so because for Bachelor's, out of minimum 12 credit hours, you have to take at least 6 credit hours lecture attending class and the remaining six you can take online. For Masters, I'm not sure what the deal is, but I'm sure that you have to take some credit hours, out of 9 hours, in class. Check with International Office of any college for more information. Good Luck to you.