Maintaining Your Status

Full Course of Study

Undergraduate Students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours (only 3 credit hours can be online) while Graduate Students must be enrolled in at least 9 credit hours (only 3 credit hours can be online).

  • If an Undergraduate is taking 15 hours or more, 9 hours must be in-person and 6 hours or more can be online.  The 9 credit hours (out of 12 minimum) must always be in-person!
  • If an Graduate is taking 12 hours or more, 6 hours must be in-person and 6 hours or more can be online. The 6 credit hours (out of 9 minimum) must always be in-person!

Students must be enrolled in the majority of their classes at the USF campus listed on their SEVIS I-20.

Summer Enrollment

Summer is considered the “annual vacation” for F-1 students who are continuing their same degree program in Fall.  

  • If the F-1 is continuing their same degree program in fall, enrollment for summer is not required and they may take all online courses.
  • If the F-1 is graduating in summer,  they must enroll in at least one credit of face-to-face course work. For graduate students this is sometimes a 2 credit hour course.
  • If it is the F-1’s FIRST semester at USF or FIRST semester of a new degree program, then they are limited to one online course (3 credit hours) per full-time enrollment. 
    • Summer A/C Graduate students – 6 hours is full time
    • Summer A/C Undergraduate transfer students – 9 hours is full time
    • Summer B undergraduate first time in college and athletics – 6 hours is full time

Reduced Course Load 

Reduced Course Load (RCL) E-Form

International students on F-1 and J-1 visas are required by US immigration regulations to remain enrolled full-time during Fall and Spring semesters.

Students who do not intend to take a full course load must get prior approval from IS before registering for less than full-time hours or dropping below full-time. Students who qualify for a reduced course load should complete the Reduced Course Load Request Form.

Acceptable reasons for a reduced course load:

  • Completion of Program Final Semester of study
  • Unfamiliarity with US teaching methods in the first semester of study in the USA
  • Difficulty with English language in the first semester of study in the USA
  • Improper course level placement due to Department/Advisor ERROR
  • Medical condition that restricts eligibility to attend classes and pursue full-time coursework
  • Cross Enrollment/Dual Enrollment 

Guidelines

Even with the reduced course load approval, students are required to take a minimum of 6 credits at USF (except for a medical condition/ or taking final semester).

Requests must be submitted by the first week of classes for the requested semester.

F-1 and J-1 students are advised to read all directions on the Reduced Course Load Request Form and provide the required documentation.

Students who engage in full-time curricular practical training (CPT) or full-time optional practical training (OPT) are not required to be registered full-time and do not need to complete the form.

Graduate students who have completed all course work and are registered for ONLY thesis or dissertation hours are considered full-time and do not need to complete the form.

In general, students authorized for a reduced course load are not eligible for on-campus employment unless the reduced course load is for completion of the degree in the final semester or the student is cross enrolled.