Regulations and Enrollment Requirements

Full Course of Study

International students must be registered for a full course of study during fall and spring semesters:

• Undergraduate students - 12 credits
• Master's graduate students - 9 credits

Online Courses

Only 3 credits or one online course per semester is applicable to full-time enrollment total.

Audit Courses

Audit course credits are not applicable to the full-time enrollment total.

I-20

International students must be aware of the expiration date on their I-20. If students cannot complete their degree by the expiration date on their I-20, students must request a program extension before the expiration date on the I-20. Students who do not file a program extension in a timely manner will be considered out of status.

Passport

Students should keep their passport valid at all times. If the passport will expire soon, student must renew it through the embassy or consulate of their home country.

Change of Local Address

Students who change their local address must report the change to the OIP within 10 days of moving.

Grace Periods

F-1 students who complete an academic program or OPT have a 60-day grace period and J-1 students who complete an academic program or AT have a 30-day grace period. F-1 students who have received prior authorization to withdraw from classes have 15 days to depart the U.S. after the withdrawal date. Students who withdraw from classes without prior authorization are not eligible for a grace period.

Academic Difficulty RCL

Students may request an RCL due to academic difficulty only once per degree level. Academic difficulty could be due to the following reasons:

• Difficulty with English language or reading requirements
• Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods or
• Improper course placement

Students who receive an academic difficulty RCL must resume a full course of study in the next available semester in order to maintain status.

Medical RCL

The OIP may authorize a medical RCL due to a temporary medical condition with an appropriate doctor's letter recommending the RCL for medical reasons. Students must receive prior approval from the CIP for the medical RCL. To submit a medical RCL, F-1 and J-1 students must meet with the PDSO/DSO from the OIP.

Requirements of Medical RCL

• Letter from licensed physician, medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist that recommends student to take less than the minimum units required for full time enrollment
• Receive prior approval from the CIP and academic department before dropping classes
• No more than 12 months (3 semesters) total of Medical RCL is permitted per degree level. The 12 month aggregate total includes semesters in which a student has taken a Leave of Absence (LOA) for medical reasons and remained in the U.S. to receive treatment
• Must take a minimum of:
  • 6 credits for undergraduate students
  • 3 credits for Master's students

If a doctor believes that a student is unable to meet this minimum unit enrollment, then the student should consider a Medical Leave of Absence.

Final Semester-RCL

The OIP may authorize a final semester RCL for students who are in their final semester of study and only have a few units remaining to meet academic program requirements. Students may request an RCL due to final semester only once per degree program.

Permission to Attend another Institution

Students who intend to transfer to another college or university must receive permission from the OIP prior to doing so by completing the TRANSFER OUT form. The SEVIS record must be transferred to the new institution that you designate so they will be able to issue a new Form I-20. Please provide a copy of the admissions letter with the TRANSFER OUT form.

Program Extension

Program Extension Requirements

1.The expiration date of the I-20/DS-2019 has not yet passed.

2.Continuously maintained the F-1/J-1 student status

3.The delay in completion of program must be due to one of the following reasons

• Compelling academic reason (change of major, change in research topic, unexpected research problems, etc.)
• Compelling medical reason (documentation is required from Student Health Center or U.S. licensed medical physician)

4.Must have sufficient funds to cover the additional time needed to complete program requirements, which includes tuition and living expenses of $1200 per month

NOTE: Delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for a program extension.

1. Obtain the Program Extension form for F-1 students
2. Receive approval and signature from academic advisor
3. Obtain proof of funding: Tuition plus $1200 per month for living expenses through a funding letter or bank statement
4. Submit the Program Extension form along with the proof of funding to the OIP at least three weeks before the expiration date of the I-20