International Senior Students: Part-Time Study Options

Senior international students are usually required to enroll in a full-time course load to maintain their F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant status. However, there are exceptions where students can be authorized to reduce their course load. This typically requires prior approval from the relevant office, such as the International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) or the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), and may be granted for academic, medical, or other reasons. Students should be mindful of the specific requirements and procedures at their institution, as well as the potential impact on their immigration status and academic progress.

Permission from ISSS/OISS

To maintain lawful non-immigrant status, international students are typically required to enroll full-time. However, senior international students can request permission from the International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) or the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) to enroll less than full-time. This process may vary depending on the university, but it generally involves submitting a request and relevant documentation for approval.

At Drexel University, international students must receive permission from ISSS to enroll less than full-time. Students should submit all required documents and wait for ISSS approval before dropping below a full-time course load. The ISSS will review the submitted documents and email the student with the decision to approve or reject the request.

At the University of Memphis, international students can submit a request to the International Student Services (ISS) to drop below full-time hours if they meet certain circumstances. Students who drop below full-time status without prior approval will be considered out of status.

At Yale University, F-1 students are required to maintain full-time enrollment but can seek special permission from OISS to reduce their course load in specific circumstances. OISS may authorize a less-than-full-time course load for academic difficulties, initial English language difficulties, or reading requirements, but this authorization is typically valid for only one semester, and students must resume full-time study in the following semester.

Additionally, F-1 and J-1 students at Drexel University and Yale University may be eligible for a reduced course load due to medical reasons. To apply, students must submit a letter from their medical provider on official letterhead, signed by a licensed healthcare professional. The letter should state that the student is unable to attend classes during a specific term or is unable to attend full-time due to their medical condition.

Academic difficulties

International students can face a variety of academic difficulties, which may lead to them seeking to reduce their course load. These difficulties can include language barriers, unfamiliarity with the education system and teaching methods, and pressure to achieve.

Firstly, language barriers can pose a significant challenge for international students. While many international students have studied English in their native countries, they may encounter difficulties with slang, fast-paced conversations, and the use of prepositions in compound verbs. This can impact their ability to understand and participate in conversations, which are a key component of the US education system.

Secondly, international students may struggle with the transition to the US education system and its teaching methods. They may be unfamiliar with the expectations of research and academic writing, as well as the format of assignments. In many countries, education emphasizes the memorization of facts rather than the personalized interpretation of material favored by US institutions. Additionally, classroom discussions and debates with professors may be considered disrespectful in some cultures, which can hinder their participation and adjustment to the US academic environment.

Furthermore, international students often experience pressure to achieve academically due to the high costs of tuition and living expenses. They may feel obligated to pursue majors that are considered practical or lucrative, rather than exploring a diverse range of career options. This pressure, combined with social, cultural, and financial stressors, can lead to emotional difficulties and mental health concerns such as homesickness, anxiety, and depression.

To address these academic difficulties, international students can seek support from their academic advisors and apply for a reduced course load. This process typically involves submitting a letter from their academic advisor, explaining the reasons for the request and recommending a reduced load for a specific term. It is important to note that approval for a reduced course load due to academic difficulties may only be granted once during a particular program level.

Medical reasons

Senior international students can be authorized to reduce their course load for medical reasons. Students with documented medical reasons that prevent them from enrolling full-time may be eligible for a less-than-full-time authorization. To apply for a reduced course load, students must submit a letter from their medical provider, along with any other required documents, such as a doctor's note. This letter must be on official letterhead and recommend the student for less-than-full-time for a specified term. The student must also have sufficient funds to cover the additional time needed to complete the program requirements.

The Designated School Official (DSO) authorizes a reduced course load (RCL) by completing an action in SEVIS called "Authorize to Drop Below Full Course." The DSO may approve the RCL for one term and extend it to the following term if needed and if the student is still eligible. Students must receive prior approval from the DSO for the medical RCL. The DSO will enter the RCL reason and start and end dates in the "Authorize to Drop Below Full Course" option on the student's SEVIS record. Once the DSO submits the information to SEVIS, the RCL is approved, and the student may drop the requested courses. Students who fail to obtain LTFT authorization from the DSO before dropping below full-time enrollment are considered out of immigration status.

For illness or medical cases, a DSO may excuse a student from all classes for up to 12 months for an F-1 student or five months for an M-1 student. During this time, they can maintain their F-1 or M-1 status. No more than 12 months of Medical RCL is permitted per degree level. Students who will be outside the U.S. for longer than five months for a leave of absence must obtain a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number to re-enter the country.

At Saint Louis University, international students are required to enroll in a full course load during the academic year, except in certain circumstances. The Office of International Services can authorize a reduced course load for medical reasons, provided the student submits current medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist. Students at Saint Louis University can be authorized to be less-than-full-time for medical reasons for no more than an aggregate of 12 months in any degree program.

Final semester

International students in F-1 status are required to be enrolled full-time during the regular semesters (Fall and Spring). Summer and Winter session enrollment is optional unless you plan to complete your academic program during a summer term, in which case you must follow all full-time enrollment rules. Graduate students are required to enroll in a minimum of 9 credits per semester, while undergraduate students are required to enroll in a minimum of 12 credits per semester.

If you are an international student in your final semester, you are allowed to be enrolled part-time if you do not need full-time enrollment to complete your academic program requirements. However, you are still limited to applying no more than 3 credits of online/distance learning toward the required credits to graduate. For example, an undergraduate student requires 6 credits to graduate. 3 credits must be from an in-person class, and the other 3 credits can be online or in-person.

If you are an F-1 student, you can be excused from the rule of enrolling full-time each term if you are having specified initial academic difficulties, a temporary illness or medical condition, or need fewer courses than a full course load in your last term to complete the program of study. In such cases, a DSO (Designated School Official) may authorize a reduced course load (RCL). An M-1 student may only receive RCL approval for illness or a medical condition.

If you are concerned about course enrollment during your last semester, it is recommended to speak with an OGS advisor before your course registration is complete. You should also contact your academic department to learn about the factors to consider before registering for anything less than full-time.

Work eligibility

International students in the US are required to obtain a student visa, with the two nonimmigrant visa categories being the F and M visas. F-1 visas are for academic students, while M-1 visas are for vocational students.

F-1 students must demonstrate an ability to afford school and living expenses before entering the US and should not plan to work off-campus. However, off-campus employment may be authorized in cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters, wars, or financial crises. To apply for off-campus employment in such cases, students must explain their situation and receive approval from their Designated School Official (DSO). The DSO will then recommend the student and provide an updated Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status." Following this, students must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 30 days. If approved, the USCIS will send a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), stating the dates the student may work off-campus.

F-1 students may accept on-campus employment, subject to certain conditions and restrictions, during their first academic year. After the first year, they may engage in three types of off-campus employment:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT Extension

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. Eligible students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before or after completing their academic studies. Pre-completion OPT allows students to work 20 hours or less per week during the school session and full-time when school is not in session. If a student has already received one year of full-time pre-completion OPT, they will not be entitled to any period of post-completion OPT employment authorization.

Students with degrees in STEM fields may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization if they meet certain criteria. Additionally, F-1 students may work over 20 hours per week during breaks and annual vacations if they are authorized for on-campus employment.

Frequently asked questions