Janice Lozano
International students are subject to specific regulations regarding their academic studies and enrollment. For instance, F-1 students cannot take a semester off and remain in the US; they must be enrolled full-time or have prior approval for a reduced course load. Students who take a leave of absence must depart within 15 days of the semester's start and may need a new I-20 form to re-enter the US if they are outside the country for longer than 5 months. Summer and winter sessions are optional for enrollment unless completing a program during the summer, in which case, full-time enrollment rules apply. Students can take a reduced course load for medical or academic reasons, but this must be approved in advance, and there are limitations on the number of semesters this can be applied.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| F-1 and J-1 international students | May not take a semester off and remain in the US |
| F-1 international students | Must be enrolled for a full course load or pre-approved reduced course load with appropriate documentation for allowable reasons (medical or academic) |
| Reduced Course Load (RCL) | Must be approved in advance by the Office of International Student Services and academic department |
| Medical RCL | Available for one semester only during a degree program; requires a letter from a licensed physician, medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist |
| Academic difficulty RCL | Must resume a full course of study in the next available semester to maintain status |
| Final semester RCL | May be authorized by the International Student Advisor for students in their final semester of study with only a few units remaining |
| Leave of Absence (LOA) | Must be authorized by the International Student Advisor; student must be in good academic standing and outside the US during the LOA |
| Undergraduate students | Must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits per semester |
| Graduate students | Must enroll in a minimum of 9 credits per semester |
| Enrollment in summer and winter sessions | Optional unless completing an academic program during a summer term, in which case full-time enrollment rules apply |
| Enrollment in online courses | Allowed in summer and winter sessions; only one fully-online course permitted during summer or winter sessions if completing an academic program |
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What You'll Learn
- International students must depart within 15 days of the semester start if taking a break
- Students must maintain full-time enrollment during summer terms if completing an academic program
- Students can request a leave letter from their academic advising office
- Students must meet with an International Advisor to discuss their leave of absence
- Students can only take a maximum of 12 months of leave per degree level
International students must depart within 15 days of the semester start if taking a break
International students on an F-1 visa are not permitted to take a semester off and remain in the US. They must be enrolled full-time or have prior approval for a reduced course load for medical or academic reasons. If an international student wishes to take a semester off, they must depart within 15 days of the start of the semester. Students must also apply for an official Leave of Absence from their university and submit an Immigration Leave of Absence Form to the CIS office at least two weeks before leaving.
International students who are not enrolled in full-time studies are also not eligible to work in the US during the academic term or scheduled breaks. Students who take a leave of absence should be aware that they may not be allowed to return to the university without an appeal approved by the Academic Standards Committee. Students who take a leave of absence for medical reasons may only do so for a total of 12 months per degree level.
Students who take a leave of absence for fewer than five months may return to the US without obtaining a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number. However, they are not allowed to enter the US more than 30 days before classes begin, even if their visa is still valid. If students will be outside the US for longer than five months, they must obtain a new I-20 and apply for a new F-1 visa.
International students who plan to take a semester off should carefully review the requirements and consult with their academic advisor and International Student Advisor before making any decisions.
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Students must maintain full-time enrollment during summer terms if completing an academic program
For international students on an F-1 visa, maintaining full-time enrollment is a crucial aspect of complying with visa requirements and making satisfactory academic progress. While summer enrollment is typically optional, specific circumstances may necessitate full-time enrollment during the summer term.
Firstly, students who intend to complete their academic program during the summer term must adhere to the rules of full-time enrollment. This requirement ensures that they fulfill the necessary credit requirements to graduate. It is important to note that online courses may have limitations for full-time enrollment during the summer, with only one fully online course permitted.
Secondly, students transferring between schools should pay close attention to their enrollment status. If a student is transferring from School A to School B in the fall and wishes to take a summer term at a third SEVP-certified school (School C), they have two options: transfer-only or concurrent enrollment. The "transfer-only" option allows the student to transfer from School A to School C for the summer and then to School B for the fall. On the other hand, concurrent enrollment treats the student's studies at School C as contributing to their program of study at School A. In this case, the student would be enrolled at both School A and School C during the summer.
Additionally, students who have remained enrolled full-time during the regular academic year can take a recreational summer break. However, any credits earned during this time must be from an SEVP-certified school to count toward full-time enrollment. It is recommended to update the student's record and issue an updated Form I-20 to reflect this change.
Lastly, it is important to be mindful of the specific requirements of your academic program. For example, graduate students are typically required to enroll in a minimum of 9 credits per semester, while undergraduate students need a minimum of 12 credits. These requirements may vary depending on the department and the student's specific circumstances.
In conclusion, while summer enrollment is generally optional, there are specific circumstances where international students must maintain full-time enrollment during the summer term to comply with visa regulations and academic progress requirements. These circumstances include completing an academic program, transferring between schools, and maintaining satisfactory academic progress. It is essential to coordinate all plans with the designated school officials and adhere to the specific requirements of the student's academic program.
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Students can request a leave letter from their academic advising office
In general, when requesting a leave of absence, it is important to submit a clear, polite, and formal application. The application should include key details such as the reason for the request, the desired start and end dates of the leave, and any arrangements made to ensure minimal disruption during the absence. Students should also be mindful of any deadlines and requirements imposed by their institution, such as maintaining communication through an official email address or meeting with relevant offices to discuss their situation.
In the case of medical or mental health concerns, students may be urged to consult with their academic advising office and/or the relevant wellness office to discuss taking a medical leave of absence. This may involve providing written confirmation from a medical or mental health professional that a leave is warranted. It is important to note that students on a leave of absence are typically not permitted to earn credits toward their degree or complete work for outstanding grades.
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Students must meet with an International Advisor to discuss their leave of absence
International students have specific requirements and restrictions when it comes to taking a leave of absence, and it is important that they meet with an International Advisor to discuss their options and ensure they follow the correct procedures.
Firstly, it is crucial to understand that international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa cannot take a semester off and remain in the US. They must be enrolled full-time or have prior approval for a reduced course load for medical or academic reasons. If an international student wishes to take a semester off, they must depart within 15 days of the beginning of the semester. This means that if a student withdraws from classes, they should do so early in the semester to receive a full refund.
Students who plan to take a leave of absence must meet with an International Advisor to initiate the process. This advisor will help the student understand their options and ensure they meet the necessary requirements. For example, the student must be in good academic standing and must be outside the US during their leave of absence. The student is responsible for confirming their eligibility to return to their academic program after the leave.
If a student is considering a leave of absence due to medical reasons, they must meet with the International Advisor and provide appropriate documentation, such as a letter from a licensed physician recommending a reduced course load. There is a one-year limit for using a Medical RCL throughout the entire degree program. Students with serious medical conditions that will impact their studies for longer than a year should consider alternative options, such as relocating outside the US for their care.
Additionally, students who have completed an academic program or OPT have a 60-day grace period, and those who have received prior authorization to withdraw from classes have 15 days to depart the US. It is important to note that students who withdraw from classes without prior authorization are not eligible for a grace period.
In conclusion, international students considering a leave of absence must meet with an International Advisor to discuss their specific situation and ensure they follow the correct procedures. This meeting will help students understand their options, requirements, and any restrictions they may face during their leave of absence.
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Students can only take a maximum of 12 months of leave per degree level
International students on F-1 visas who wish to take a semester off during the academic year (fall and spring semesters) must receive authorization for a Leave of Absence (LOA) from the International Student Advisor. Students considering an LOA must be in good academic standing and should review the following requirements:
Firstly, students must be outside the U.S. during the LOA. Secondly, students are responsible for meeting with their international advisor and completing the LOA process, as well as confirming their eligibility to return to their academic program afterward. Students must also carefully read the information on their university website and complete the Immigration Leave of Absence Form, submitting it to the CIS office at least two weeks before they plan to leave. They will also need to apply for an official Leave of Absence from the University, which can usually be done online.
It is important to note that F-1 students may not take a semester off and remain in the US. They must be enrolled for a full course load or pre-approved reduced course load with appropriate documentation for allowable reasons (medical or academic). Students considering an LOA due to medical reasons must meet with the International Student Advisor, and those who will be outside the U.S. for longer than 5 months for an LOA must obtain a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number to re-enter.
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Frequently asked questions
International students on an F-1 visa may NOT take a semester off and remain in the US. If you take a semester off, you must depart within 15 days of the beginning of the semester and you will not be eligible for a grace period. If you are outside the US for longer than 5 months, you must obtain a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number in order to re-enter the US.
Discuss your plans with your academic advisor before deciding to take a semester off. You must make an appointment with the International Student Advisor and apply for an official Leave of Absence from the University. You will also need to submit an Immigration Leave of Absence Form to the CIS office at least two weeks before you plan to leave.
You will not be eligible to work in the US during the academic term or scheduled breaks. Additionally, taking time off from studies may impact your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility. You will also need to pay off any outstanding loans before you can enroll again.
