Immigration regulations require students in F-1 and J-1 status to be enrolled in a full-time course load each fall and spring semester in order to maintain nonimmigrant visa status. Full-time enrollment is only required in the summer if it is your first or last semester of enrollment.
ISSS Drop Advising Hold
Each fall and spring semester a hold is placed on the student records of all students in F-1 and J-1 status to prevent them from dropping a class without prior permission from ISSS and unintentionally falling below full-time enrollment, a violation of status. This hold does not affect a student's ability to add a class or drop classes related to future semester enrollment.
- The Spring 2021 hold is placed on the student records of all students in F-1 and J-1 status on February 2, 2021. It is viewable in the Buff Portal.
If students in F-1 or J-1 status wish to drop a class, they must contact an ISSS advisor to request permission to drop the class(es). If dropping the class(es) will not result in under-enrollment, then the ISSS drop hold will be removed for 48 hours in order to allow students to drop the approved class(es).
- Students can meet with an ISSS advisor during advising hours or email ISSS to have the hold removed temporarily.
ISSS will place the hold back on students’ records to prevent the dropping of additional courses.
Exceptions to the Full-Time Enrollment Requirement
ISSS can only authorize a drop below full-time enrollment if the required documentation is submitted to ISSS and a student is eligible for an academic reduced course load, medical reduced course load, or it is the student's final semester and less than full-time enrollment is required to complete the degree.
Please contact ISSS with any questions regarding the drop advising hold and full-time enrollment requirement.