Dear International Students:
As you are returning to campus for fall term, I want to remind you of the full-time enrollment requirements for international students in the U.S. Remember all F-1 and J-1 visa international students must study on a full time basis every semester.
Full time means you are taking a minimum of:
Bachelor’s - 12 credits/semester
Master’s/PhD, with graduate assistantship - 6 credits/semester
Master’s/PhD, no graduate assistantship - 9 credits/per semester
Exchange and non-degree students: 12 credits (1000-4000 level courses) or 9 credits (5000- 6000 level courses)/semester
JD students - 12 credits/semester
UCAELI – Full time IEP (22 hours/week)
Some international students may be allowed to take less than a full time course load, but you need ISSS approval to do so.
You might be able to enroll on a part-time basis for the following reasons:
REASON: LAST SEMESTER IN PROGRAM
Deadline to submit request: Monday, September 11
If you will complete your program in fall semester and you do not require full time enrollment to complete your program, you may register for only those credits you need.
How to apply: Please complete the Reduced Course Load form with your academic advisor and submit to ISSS before the 10th day of Fall semester. If you will finalize your schedule during add/drop week, please wait until your schedule is final before you submit the form to ISSS. After we process your application, you will receive a new Form I-20/DS-2019 with updated program end date, if it differs from your current I-20/DS-2019 program end date.
This option is only for students enrolled in degree programs- it is not available for exchange, non-degree or UCAELI students.
REASON: ACADEMIC DIFFICULTY
Earliest date to request: Tuesday, September 5
All students who are not in their final semester must enroll and attend classes full time from the start of each semester. If you find that you are having difficulties keeping up with a full time course load, you may speak to an ISSS advisor about the possibility to enroll on a part-time basis. You may enroll on a part-time basis one time per degree level, if you are experiencing academic difficulties for one of the following reasons: 1) Initial difficulties with English language 2) Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods 3) Reading requirements 4) Improper course level placement.
How to apply: Visit ISSS during drop-in advising hours to discuss your situation with an ISSS advisor, and find out if you qualify to enroll part-time for academic difficulties. Generally, only students in the first year of their program will qualify for a Reduced Course Load for academic difficulties. If you drop below full time before getting ISSS approval, this is a violation of your student visa, and your SEVIS record will be terminated.
REASON: MEDICAL CONDITION/ILLNESS – PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH
If you are seeing a doctor for physical or mental health issues, and you are unable to manage a full course of study, you might be able to reduce your course load or withdraw from courses for a temporary period. To qualify, you must have medical documentation confirming your condition from a licensed medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathy (DO), or licensed clinical psychologist (including PhD or Psy.D).
How to apply: Make an appointment with your ISSS advisor if you may need to take a reduced course load for medical reasons. When medically possible, you must obtain Reduced Course Load authorization from ISSS before you stop attending or withdraw from classes – otherwise this is a violation of your student visa, and your SEVIS record will be terminated. In cases where students are hospitalized/medically incapable of submitting an advance request, this requirement is waived.
CANCEL ENROLLMENT/LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
If you will take a leave of absence (LOA) for the Fall 23 semester, you must contact your international advisor at ISSS as soon as possible to discuss the impact on your student visa. Additionally undergraduate students need to notify the university by contacting the Dean of Students office. Graduate students who will cancel their enrollment need to submit the Voluntary Separation Notice to The Graduate School.
STUDY / RESEARCH ABROAD:
All F-1 and J-1 international students who will study abroad or pursue full-time research outside of the U.S. during Fall term must contact their international advisor at ISSS as soon as possible to discuss the impact on your F-1/J-1 visa.
Visit the ISSS webpage for more information on study requirements and reduced course load eligibility. Please contact ISSS if you have any questions at international@uconn.edu.
The above requirements do not apply to international visiting scholars who are here for research/teaching on J-1 visas.
Best regards,
___________
Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
For more information, contact: ISSS at international@uconn.edu