Savanna Hoffman
International students on an F-1 visa are required to study full-time, which is defined as a minimum of 12 credits each quarter for undergraduate students and 9 credits for graduate students. Students considering withdrawing from a class should first consult with International Student Services as dropping a class without authorization can result in the termination of their I-20. Additionally, withdrawing from a class that puts an international student below the 12-credit minimum may result in the loss of financial aid for that semester.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of credits required for undergraduate students | 12 credits |
| Number of credits required for graduate students | 9 credits |
| Number of online courses that can be counted toward enrollment requirement | 1 |
| Consequences of dropping below full-time status | Loss of benefits such as employment authorization and jeopardizing stay in and future travel to the U.S. |
| Requirements for withdrawal | Submission of a part-time authorization e-form in iHawk with comments from academic advisor |
| Retroactive withdrawal | Not permissible under any circumstances since May 2014 |
| Time period for withdrawal | Before the end of the existing semester or the start of the next semester |
| Requirements for re-entry to the U.S. after withdrawal | Obtain a new, initial I-20 by submitting the I-20 Request Form |
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What You'll Learn
Loss of financial aid
International students on an F-1 visa are required to study full-time, which is defined as at least 12 credits each quarter for undergraduate students and 9 credits for graduate students. If an international student drops below full-time status, they may lose their financial aid for that semester. This is because financial aid is typically contingent on maintaining full-time status and meeting adequate yearly progress (AYP) requirements. For example, federal aid AYP requires the completion of at least 67% of cumulative attempted credits.
Withdrawing from a class can impact an international student's financial aid status. If a student withdraws from a class and drops below 12 credits, they may no longer be considered a full-time student, which could result in the loss of financial aid. However, it is important to note that withdrawing from a class is different from dropping a class. Withdrawing from a class typically does not change full-time status for that semester if the student is still enrolled in 12 or more credits after the drop period.
The specific impact on financial aid can vary depending on the type of aid received. For example, some state aid programs define AYP as earning a minimum of 24 credits over the fall and spring semesters to retain financial aid for the next year. In this case, a student who earns only 9 credits in the fall would need to earn at least 15 credits in the spring to meet the 24-credit minimum and maintain their financial aid eligibility.
It is important for international students to carefully consider the potential consequences before withdrawing from a class, as it may result in the loss of financial aid and affect their immigration status. Students should review their university's policies on full-time enrollment, withdrawal procedures, and financial aid requirements to make informed decisions. Additionally, consulting with an academic advisor or international student services office can provide clarity on the specific implications for their financial aid and academic progress.
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Full-time status requirements
International students in the US are required to study full-time, which is defined as at least 12 credits each quarter for undergraduate students and 9 credits for graduate students. This is a requirement of their F-1/J-1 visa status, and dropping below full-time status can result in the termination of their I-20 form and SEVIS record.
Students on an F-1 visa can only count one online course toward their full-time enrollment requirements each semester, with the remaining courses needing to be in-person. J-1 students can also only count one online course toward their full-time enrollment requirements.
If an international student wishes to drop a class, they must first consult with International Student Services (ISS). They may be able to change to an S/NS grading option or replace the course with an online course so that they are still full-time. If dropping the class will put them below the minimum number of credits, they must submit a part-time authorization e-form, and their academic advisor must enter comments before the drop can be approved. Only certain qualifying reasons can be used to request part-time authorization.
Withdrawing from a class does not change a student's full-time status for that semester if they had enough credits beforehand. However, it is important to note that withdrawing from a class can have implications for financial aid, which usually requires students to meet adequate yearly progress (AYP) in addition to having full-time status each semester. For example, federal aid AYP requires completion of at least 67% of cumulative attempted credits.
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Visa and immigration status
International students on an F-1 visa are required to study full-time, which is defined as at least 12 credits each quarter for undergraduate students and 9 credits for graduate students. This is a requirement for maintaining their visa and immigration status.
Withdrawing from a class or dropping below the full-time credit minimum can have serious consequences for international students' visa and immigration status. Firstly, it is important to note that withdrawing from a class can impact their full-time status, and dropping below full-time status can result in ineligibility for benefits like employment authorization and can jeopardize their stay in the country.
Additionally, withdrawing from a class without proper authorization can result in the termination of their I-20 form, which is a critical document for maintaining their student visa status. The Department of Homeland Security has also stated that retroactive withdrawal, or withdrawing from a previous semester, is not permissible under any circumstances for international students. Therefore, any withdrawal request must be approved by the International Student Services (ISS) and occur before the end of the existing semester or the start of the next semester.
If an international student needs to withdraw from a class or reduce their course load below the full-time minimum, they should first consult with ISS to understand the implications for their visa and immigration status. There are specific circumstances, such as medical conditions or initial difficulties with the English language, that may allow for part-time authorization. However, these requests must be approved by ISS and follow certain procedures to avoid status violations.
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Withdrawal process and deadlines
International students on an F-1 or J-1 visa must be enrolled full-time, which is defined as a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. Students on an F-1 visa must request an Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW) if they need to withdraw from classes and leave the US due to an emergency. This request must be made before dropping classes, otherwise, it is considered a violation of F-1 status.
The withdrawal process and deadlines for international students can vary depending on the university and their specific circumstances. Here is a general overview of the withdrawal process and deadlines for international students:
Withdrawal Process:
- Check Full-Time Enrollment Requirements: International students should review their university's full-time enrollment requirements before considering withdrawal. Most universities require international students to maintain full-time status, which is typically defined as a minimum of 12 credits or credit hours per semester for undergraduate students.
- Consult Academic Advisor: Students should meet with their academic advisor to discuss the potential impact of withdrawing from a course on their academic record, scholarship, and future enrollment.
- Initiate Course Drop: If the student decides to proceed with the withdrawal, they should initiate the course drop process through their university's system, such as MyUI at the University of Iowa.
- Obtain Necessary Approvals: Some universities require approval from the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) or a similar office for international students to drop a course. The student's academic advisor must also approve the drop.
- Finalize Course Drop: Once all necessary approvals are obtained, students need to log back into their university's system to finalize the course drop.
Withdrawal Deadlines:
- Regular Withdrawal Deadline: Each semester has a withdrawal deadline, typically before the final four weeks of classes. This deadline is published on the university's Registrar website.
- Late Withdrawal: In some cases, students may withdraw after the regular deadline with special permission from their academic college. However, late withdrawal can carry risks for international students, including potential issues with their immigration status and visa renewal. It is strongly advised that international students do not use late withdrawal to escape anticipated poor grades.
It is important for international students to carefully review their university's specific withdrawal policies and procedures, as well as seek guidance from the relevant offices, such as the academic department, registrar's office, and international student services, to ensure they understand the full implications of withdrawing from a course.
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Academic and personal consequences
International students must be registered full-time, which is defined as at least 12 credits each quarter for undergraduate students and 9 credits for graduate students. Withdrawing from a class can have several academic and personal consequences:
Academic Consequences
- Loss of full-time status: Withdrawing from a class that puts an international student below 12 credits will result in a loss of full-time status, which is a requirement for international students.
- Financial aid implications: Financial aid often requires students to maintain full-time status and meet adequate yearly progress (AYP). Withdrawing from a class may affect an international student's ability to retain financial aid.
- Ineligibility for benefits: A status violation, such as dropping below full-time without authorization, can make international students ineligible for benefits like employment authorization.
- Difficulty with graduation requirements: Withdrawing from a class may delay an international student's progress toward graduation, especially if they need to retake the class in a future semester.
- Impact on future academic opportunities: A status violation may also jeopardize an international student's ability to pursue future academic opportunities in the United States, including transferring to another school or enrolling in a graduate program.
Personal Consequences
- Visa complications: International students on an F-1 visa are required to study full-time. Withdrawing from a class without proper authorization can result in the termination of their I-20 visa status and SEVIS record, impacting their ability to remain in the United States.
- Travel restrictions: A status violation can also affect an international student's ability to travel to the United States in the future, as it may indicate a lack of compliance with visa requirements.
- Financial burden: Without financial aid and with potential complications regarding their visa status, international students may face a significant financial burden, including the cost of additional semesters or the loss of income from employment.
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Frequently asked questions
If you withdraw from a class and it puts you under the minimum credit requirement for full-time status, you will no longer be considered a full-time student. This can have implications for your financial aid, as well as your eligibility for benefits like employment authorization and your visa status.
Undergraduate students are generally required to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits each semester to be considered full-time students. Graduate students may require a minimum of 9 credits.
Yes, as long as you have enough credits beforehand, withdrawing from one class will not change your full-time status for that semester. However, you will not earn any credits for the withdrawn course, and it will be noted on your transcript.
Yes, you may consider changing to an S/NS grading option or replacing the course with an online course so that you remain above the 12-credit minimum.
Dropping below the minimum credit requirement without prior authorization can result in serious consequences. It may be considered a violation of your F-1 status and could lead to the termination of your I-20 or SEVIS record. It is important to consult with International Student Services before making any decisions.
