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 May 31, 2022, The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)reissued its guidance for the 2022-23 academic year and has clarified the following:
- International students who were actively enrolled at a U.S. school prior to March 9, 2020 and have continuously complied with the terms of their nonimmigrant status can temporarily engage in courses that are all online or a combination of online and hybrid/face-to-face to complete their full course of study during the 2022-23 academic year.
- International Students admitted and enrolled after March 9, 2020 (beginning the summer 2020 semester), can only enroll in ONE online class toward their full course of study each semester during the spring and fall semester. If a student needs only one course to complete the program of study, the course cannot be online.
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(GA, RA, TA): 6 credit hours (2 courses)
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.
