Enrollment Requirements on an F or J Visa
International students must enroll in and complete the minimum required number of credits to maintain legal student visa status.
F-1 and J-1
Federal regulations require full-time enrollment for students on an F-1 and J-1 visa. Enrollment requirements apply to spring and fall semesters as well as summer if that is the first or last term of a program. All other summer terms are considered vacation terms. The visa status of students on an F-1 or J-1 visa will end if they are not present and enrolled full-time at the start of each semester or if they drop below full-time at at any point during the semester.
Undergraduate Students
In the fall and spring semesters, full-time study for undergraduate students is defined as a minimum of 12 credit hours with at least 9 of those hours being traditional face-to-face classes.
If it is the first or last term of the program, students must meet full-time enrollment requirements in the summer. In the summer, full-time study is defined as a minimum of 6 credit hours with at least 3 of those hours being traditional face-to-face classes. Enrollment is optional in all other summer terms.
Graduate Students
Fall and Spring
Full-time study for graduate students is defined as a minimum of 9 credit hours with at least 6 of those hours being traditional face-to-face classes. There are a few specific circumstances that allow for enrollment in fewer hours and the approval must be entered into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students must be enrolled in and complete at least 9 credit hours; at least 6 credit hours must be traditional face-to-face classes.
Students participating in assistantships or working on a thesis or dissertation must submit a Graduate Student Full-Time Enrollment Verification form if they are not registered for a minimum of 9 credit hours with 6 of those hours being traditional face-to-face classes. This form must be submitted to International Student and Scholar Services in the Center for Global Engagement within the first week of each semester in order to be considered a full-time graduate student.
If it is the first or last term of the program, students must meet full-time enrollment requirements in the summer. In the summer, full-time study is defined as a minimum of 6 credit hours with at least 3 of those hours being traditional face-to-face classes. Enrollment is optional in all other summer terms.
Exceptions
There are a few specific circumstances that allow for enrollment in fewer hours and the approval must be entered into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Final semester, academic difficulties, and mefidal.
Student is experiencing academic difficulty because: Student is in first year of study and is having initial difficulty with the English language. Student is in first year of study and is having initial difficulty with reading requirements. Student is in first year of study and is unfamiliar with American teaching methods. Student has been advised to drop a course because of improper course level placement. Student is in the final semester and will complete the course of study in the current semester.
(This option may be used only ONCE per degree level. Undergraduate students must still register for a minimum of 6 credit hours. Graduate students please seek confirmation of semester hours with the Center for Global Engagement.)