SEVIS Registration Reporting
At the beginning of each term, the DSO (international advisor) is required by law to verify class registration electronically to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through SEVIS to confirm that all international students are maintaining a full course load and following the online course enrollment policy.
COVID-19 Temporary Enrollment Guidance
On April 18, 2022, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued a broadcast message that international students in F-1 visa status may continue to follow the March 2020 guidance that will remain in effect for the 2022-2023 academic year (through the summer 2023 semester).
All students are still required to maintain a full course of study unless a Reduced Course Load has been authorized by their DSO.
Returning and Continuing Students within the United States
- can temporarily engage in courses that are all online or a combination of online and hybrid/face-to-face
Summer and Fall 2022 In-country Transfer Students (previously enrolled at another U.S. institution)
- may take all online classes or blended/hybrid courses as long as they were on an active F-1 visa within the U.S. in March 2020
Initial “New” Students arriving in the United States for the first time in Summer or Fall 2022
- must enroll in at least one face-to-face/hybrid course within their full course of study during their first semester in the United States. After their first semester enrolled in classes in the United States, they will be able to enroll in all online courses while the COVID-19 regulations are in effect.
Normal Course Load Requirements
International students in F-1 and J-1 status must register for and complete a full course load each semester (not including summer). Students who drop below a full course-load without immigration advisor approval will be reported to SEVIS. If this occurs, your SEVIS record will be terminated and you will lose your F-1 or J-1 status, including employment eligibility and benefits. For immigration purposes, full-time enrollment (during fall and spring semester) is defined as:
- Undergraduate students: 12 credit hours (4 courses)
- Graduate students: 9 credit hours (3 courses)
- Graduate students with a graduate assistantship: 6 credit hours (2 courses)
Summer enrollment is optional unless it is your first or last semester. Full-time summer enrollment is 3 credit hours and it cannot be an online course if it's your first or last semester.
UNIV 500
In order to maintain your immigration status, you cannot be enrolled only in UNIV 500 to meet full course of study, as this enrollment is only used for administrative purposes and is not given for credit. If you have applied for OPT, and choose to enroll in UNIV 500 you will incur a Health Service charge as well as the administrative fee for each semester you are only enrolled in UNIV 500. Please see additional information regarding UNIV 500 here.
There are limited circumstances in which a reduced course load is okay. Visit Reducing Your Course Load for information.
