Maintaining F-1 Student Status

To maintain F-1 visa status, you typically must enroll in full-time course of study each semester:

• Undergraduate students: At least 12 credit hours with no fewer than 9 face-to-face credit hours
• Graduate students: At least 10 credit hours with no fewer than 7 face-to-face credit hours

All new and continuing students are expected to be enrolled in courses by the first day of class. Failure to be enrolled full-time or have an approved reduced course load request on file by the start of the third week of class may result in the termination of your SEVIS record.

Changing your course schedule

If dropping a course would not place you at less than full-time enrollment, you can do so by simply completing a form in the International Student and Scholar Services office, Bryan Hall room 206.

Be sure your classes count

Audited courses

Classes that you audit (i.e., that are not graded for credit) do not count toward the full course of study.

Online courses

Only 3 online course credits may be counted toward your full-time enrollment requirement. If you are an undergraduate student and want to take 6 credits online, you must still take an additional 9 credits in the classroom. Graduate students must take at least 7 credits in the classroom.

Concurrent enrollment

You may take classes at other schools while taking classes at WSU. However, at least 50% of your classes must be taken at WSU. Classes you take at another school will count toward your full-time enrollment requirement at WSU if you submit a Concurrent Enrollment Request in myPassport.

Reduced Course Load (RCL)

Overview

F-1 and J-1 international students are required to maintain full-time enrollment during the school year. If you cannot or will not meet this requirement, you must request a reduced course load. Federal immigration regulations severely limit a student’s ability to be less than full time, but it may be allowed in some circumstances as explained below.

A student who wishes to drop below full time must obtain approval from a Designated School Official (DSO) in advance, regardless of what the reason might be. A student who drops below a full course of study without prior approval of a DSO will be considered out of status. Please be advised the following are not considered valid reasons for a reduced course load:

• Lack of financial support
• Concerns about GPA
• Need or want to “take a break”

If approved for reduced course load, you are still eligible for on-campus employment benefits.

Types of Reduced Course Loads

Academic Difficulties

The regulations state:

The DSO may authorize a reduced course load on account of a student’s initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements, unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods, or improper course level placement.

WSU defines the approved academic RCL reasons as the following:

• Initial difficulty with the English language: the student struggles in the classroom due to challenges with listening and speaking English
• Initial difficulty with reading requirements: the student struggles with English language reading requirements
• Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods: Due to cultural reasons, the student is unprepared to succeed in an American classroom
• Improper course level placement: The student is otherwise academically unprepared to succeed in their initial term

A student may apply for a reduced course load due to academic difficulties in their initial term if their academic advisor verifies their challenges. WSU ISSS (International and Student Scholar Services) defines “initial term” as:

• A student’s first semester for direct entry bridge, undergraduate or graduate students
• A student’s first semester for students who are progressing from a lower degree level to a higher degree level, either as transfer in students or progressing WSU students

A student transferring into WSU who studied previously at the same academic level is not eligible for an Academic Difficulties RCL. A reduced course load for academic difficulties must still enroll in at least 6 credit hours for undergraduate students and at least 5 credit hours for graduate students.

Illness or Medical Condition

A student who requests to be approved for a medical reduced course load must provide medical documentation from a US licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist to substantiate the illness or medical condition (letters from nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or homeopathic practitioners are not acceptable). The letter does not need to provide a detailed description of a student’s medical condition but should confirm the student has a medical condition and a reduced course load is recommended. The letter should also state whether part-time enrollment or no enrollment is recommended.

A medical RCL is authorized for one semester at a time and each authorization requires a new application submission.

A medical RCL can be approved for a period not to exceed 12 months while the student is pursuing a course of study at a particular program level. Given WSU’s semester system, this translates to two semesters per academic level.

A student who wishes to take more than two semesters off to receive medical care in their home country should speak with an international student advisor about taking a leave of absence from WSU.

To Complete Course of Study in the Current Term

A student may apply for RCL in their final term if fewer courses (i.e., less than full time) are needed to complete the course of study.

Final semester RCLs require confirmation from the student’s academic advisor.

 Academic reinstatement

If you need to seek reinstatement after insufficient academic progress:

• Undergraduate students: Learn about academic deficiency and reinstatement
• Graduate students: Contact the Graduate School

If you are academically deficient or if your reinstatement was denied, contact an International Student and Scholar Services advisor immediately to discuss your options.

Summer session enrollment

Summer enrollment is optional for continuing full-time students. If you were enrolled at WSU for spring semester and plan to continue the following fall semester, you are not required to enroll during the summer semester. If you plan to enroll in summer, there are no minimum or maximum amount of credits and format (face-to-face or online) also does not matter. You can take any course you wish in any delivery format.

Summer semester is your first at WSU

If you are beginning studies in the summer and a summer start date is on your I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students), then you must enroll for credits during the summer semester.

As a new graduate student, you must register for 3 credits during the summer. As a new undergraduate student, you must enroll in 6 credits during the summer.

Summer semester is your last at WSU

If you are completing your studies in the summer, then you must be fully enrolled (Undergrads 6 credits/Grads 3 credits) or have an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL) on file. Also, F-1 students are required to be enrolled in at least one face to face course in their final semester, even in the summer. Failure to be enrolled in at least one face to face course in your final semester is a status violation and you will not be eligible for an OPT I-20.

Graduate students defending in the summer

If you will be defending your dissertation or thesis in the summer, you are required to enroll in at least 2 research credits (700/702/800). Refer to the Graduate School for more information.

Change in program

Your Form I-20 must accurately reflect your current status as a student. You are responsible for keeping it up to date.

If you need to change your student status in any way, check the information below to be sure you are following proper procedure and meeting U.S. government requirements.

Changing your program of study

Your Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status) must accurately reflect the program of study that you currently pursue at WSU. You are responsible for updating your I-20 once your change of program becomes official in the WSU system.

Change of major

If you change your major, you must obtain a new I-20. Submit a new I-20 Request Form with supporting financial documentation.

Change of level

If you complete 1 educational level and plan to continue to another at WSU (e.g., continuing from a bachelor’s to a master’s program), you must obtain a new I-20 within 60 days to reflect the change. The new I-20 notifies the Department of Homeland Security that you are changing educational levels.

Extending your F-1 immigration status

If you cannot finish your program of study before the completion date listed on your I-20, fill out a form on myPassport or contact an International Student and Scholar Services advisor before your I-20 expires to request a program extension.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a program extension, your academic advisor must provide a compelling academic reason for the delay in your program completion, such as a documented illness or a change in major. In addition, you must be making normal progress toward your degree. Students with a history of poor academic performance (including I, W, and X grades on their transcripts) will receive extra scrutiny and may have their extension request denied due to a failure to make normal progress. An I-20 extension is never guaranteed.

Change of address

If you move to a new local residence, you must update your address within 10 days of your move. Your new address will be sent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security automatically via the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Graduation

If you plan to graduate in the current term, notify an advisor in International Student and Scholar Services or complete our departure form.

Canceling enrollment

Canceling your enrollment affects your immigration status. Once you have submitted your cancellation request to the WSU Registrar and it has been approved, you have 15 calendar days to depart from the United States.

Follow the appropriate procedures for departing from WSU.

Departing the United States

If your visa status no longer authorizes you to remain in the United States, you must leave the country. If you are on an F-1 visa, departing the United States will be required within:

• 60 days of your degree completion date
• 15 days of your withdrawal date if you terminate your program early
• 60 days after your Optional Practical Training (OPT) expires

Be sure to follow the appropriate procedures for departure.