Greetings from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)! We are excited to welcome you back to campus. We also want to make sure you understand your enrollment requirements for the upcoming semester, so you can properly maintain your F-1 or J-1 student visa status.
Restrictions on Online Enrollment
COVID-19 enrollment flexibilities have officially ended. F-1 and J-1 students must now follow regulatory limits on online enrollment. F-1 and J-1 students can count a maximum of one online course/three online credits towards their full course load requirement.
Graduate students must enroll in a minimum of nine credits every fall and spring semester. At least six of those nine credits must be in-person courses.
Undergraduate students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits every fall and spring semester. At least nine of those 12 credits must be in-person courses.
A full explanation of F-1 and J-1 enrollment requirements can be found on our website.
NOTE: For J-1 students only, according to U.S. Department of State guidance, only courses listed as “face to face” are considered in-person courses.
Graduating this fall?
If you are graduating this fall and need fewer than nine (graduate) or 12 (undergraduate) credits to graduate, you will need to submit a request for an F-1/J-1 Final Semester Reduced Course Load through myIO no later than August 21. As part of this request, your department will confirm how many credits you must complete to graduate. You must take all of these credits in person, with the exception of a maximum of one online class or three online credits. You are not permitted to take a fully online course load.
More Tips for Maintaining Status
We are committed to helping you maintain your valid immigration status so that you preserve your eligibility for U.S. immigration benefits now and in the future. We encourage you to take a moment to read the Maintaining Your Student Status page to familiarize yourself with the rules you are responsible for understanding and following.
We at ISSS wish you a happy and successful fall semester. Hook ’em!