F-1 and J-1 students are required to maintain full-time enrollment each fall and spring semester in order to maintain nonimmigrant visa status.
A full course of study is defined as:
- Undergraduate students: At least 12 credit hours
- Graduate students : At least 5 graduate credit hours or a combination of 8 credit hours of graduate and undergraduate-level courses
- This may change depending on your graduate student registration status and level of course enrollment. Graduate School rules for full-time status apply.
- Ask your academic department to determine your status and how to define full-time enrollment based on that status.
Online/ Distance Education Restriction
For both undergraduate and graduate students, only 3 credits of online or distance education courses can count towards the full-time requirement. For example, if you are an undergraduate student, you can take a 3-credit class online, but you must have at least 9 additional on-campus credits that are for in-person classes that take place in a classroom. Also, classes must be taken for a grade or pass/fail in order to count toward the full-time requirement. Classes taken for no-credit will not count toward the full-time enrollment requirement.
On-Campus Physical Presence Requirement
On-campus presence is required every fall and spring semester. It is also required in the summer if the summer term is your first or last semester. If you plan to graduate in the summer, you must maintain some level of on-campus presence by enrolling in on-campus credits. There is no exception to this rule.
Incomplete Withdrawal (IW), Incomplete Pass (IP), or Incomplete Fail (IF) Grades
Getting a grade of IW, IP, or IF counts toward full-time minimum requirement for enrollment purposes (not for work authorization purposes) as long as the course is an on-campus course, thesis hour, independent study, or dissertation hour. Students who are considering taking an incomplete in a course through Continuing Education should come speak with an ISSS advisor BEFORE taking an incomplete.
Exceptions to the Full-Time Enrollment Requirement
- Less than a Full-Time Course Load Remaining: If it is your final semester and less than a full-time course load is required to complete your degree, you must submit a Confirmation of Final Semester form to ISSS.
- Authorized Reduced Course Load: If you have a qualifying Academic or Medical reason, you may be eligible for an authorized reduced course load.
Please consult ISSS if you have questions regarding eligibility requirements and do not drop courses without ISSS authorization.