Enrollment

Why attending coursework in-person is a MUST to maintain your status!

Carolyn Salter — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:49:32 +0000

Why attending coursework in-person is a MUST to maintain your status! Carolyn Salter Mon, 02/24/2025 - 06:49

On-campus presence is required each fall and spring semester for international students to maintain their F-1 status. This means you must enroll in and attend in-person courses that require physical attendance for classes, exams, and other essential aspects of the class.

For both undergraduate and graduate students in F-1 status, only 3 credits of online/remote/distance education coursework can count towards the full-time enrollment requirement.

Undergraduate Students: You can take a 3-credit class online, but you must have at least 9 additional on-campus credits that are for in-person classes that take place on the 91�� campus.
Master’s Students: You can take a 3-credit class online, but you must have additional on-campus credits that are for in-person classes that take place on the 91�� campus. How many in-person credits you need depends on your graduate status and whether or not you are also taking undergraduate level credits. Contact ISSS if you have any questions.
Ph.D. Students: Meet with an ISSS advisor to discuss your on-campus presence requirements.

Note: Some academic departments offer two sections of the same course, an online section and an in-person section. If the course is being taken to contribute towards an international student’s in-person enrollment requirements set by their F-1 status, students must enroll in the in-person section AND attend the in-person section.

Even if professors allow their students the flexibility of attending the online section while enrolled in an in-person section, international students must forego this flexibility and continue to attend the in-person section when counting the course towards their on-campus presence requirements.

Hybrid Coursework Considerations

Hybrid In Person and Online and/or Remote (HY) courses may count towards a student’s in-person enrollment requirements IF the student attends all available in-person components of the course.
- ISSS recommends students keep careful records of their attendance at the in-person components associated with the course.
Hybrid Remote/Online (HR) courses do not count towards a student’s in-person enrollment requirements.

Failure to comply with the on-campus presence requirement set by the F-1 regulations may result in the denial of future immigration benefits including Optional Practical Training (OPT) or readmission to the U.S. after traveling abroad.

If you are unsure whether your enrollment meets the on-campus presence requirement, contact ISSS.

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Why attending coursework in-person is a MUST to maintain your status!

Carolyn Salter — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:49:32 +0000

Why attending coursework in-person is a MUST to maintain your status! Carolyn Salter Mon, 02/24/2025 - 06:49

For both undergraduate and graduate students in F-1 status, only 3 credits of online/remote/distance education coursework can count towards the full-time enrollment requirement.

Undergraduate Students: You can take a 3-credit class online, but you must have at least 9 additional on-campus credits that are for in-person classes that take place on the 91�� campus.
Master’s Students: You can take a 3-credit class online, but you must have additional on-campus credits that are for in-person classes that take place on the 91�� campus. How many in-person credits you need depends on your graduate status and whether or not you are also taking undergraduate level credits. Contact ISSS if you have any questions.
Ph.D. Students: Meet with an ISSS advisor to discuss your on-campus presence requirements.

Even if professors allow their students the flexibility of attending the online section while enrolled in an in-person section, international students must forego this flexibility and continue to attend the in-person section when counting the course towards their on-campus presence requirements.

Hybrid Coursework Considerations

Hybrid In Person and Online and/or Remote (HY) courses may count towards a student’s in-person enrollment requirements IF the student attends all available in-person components of the course.
- ISSS recommends students keep careful records of their attendance at the in-person components associated with the course.
Hybrid Remote/Online (HR) courses do not count towards a student’s in-person enrollment requirements.

If you are unsure whether your enrollment meets the on-campus presence requirement, contact ISSS.

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Drop Advising Required Hold (spring 2025)

Carolyn Salter — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:29:52 +0000

Drop Advising Required Hold (spring 2025) Carolyn Salter Wed, 12/18/2024 - 06:29

Immigration regulations require students in F-1 and J-1 status to be enrolled in a full-time course load each fall and spring semester to maintain nonimmigrant visa status. Full-time enrollment is only required in the summer if it is your first or last semester of enrollment.

Drop Advising Required Hold

Each fall and spring semester a hold is placed on the student records of all students in F-1 and J-1 status to prevent them from dropping a class without prior permission from ISSS and unintentionally falling below full-time enrollment, a violation of status. This hold does not affect a student's ability to add a class or drop classes related to future semester enrollment.

The hold will be placed on the student records of all students in F-1 and J-1 status on January 30, 2025. It will be viewable in the Buff Portal.

If students in F-1 or J-1 status wish to drop a class after the hold is placed on their record, they must contact an ISSS advisor to request permission to drop the class(es). If dropping the class(es) will not result in under-enrollment, then the Drop Advising Required Hold will be removed for 48 hours in order to allow students to drop the approved class(es).

Students can meet with an ISSS advisor during advising hours or email ISSS to have the hold removed temporarily.

ISSS will place the hold back on students’ records to prevent the dropping of additional courses.

Exceptions to the Full-Time Enrollment Requirement

ISSS can only authorize a drop below full-time enrollment if the required documentation is submitted to ISSS and a student is eligible for an academic reduced course load, medical reduced course load, or it is the student's final semester and less than full-time enrollment is required to complete the degree (see the Confirmation of Final Semester e-form (available in MyISSS portal).

Contact ISSS with any questions regarding the drop advising required hold and full-time enrollment requirement.

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Extending your F-1 program end date

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Sep 2024 17:39:25 +0000

Extending your F-1 program end date Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 09/28/2024 - 11:39

Is your F-1 program/I-20 end date approaching and you still have academic requirements left to complete your degree?

If you will not complete your current degree requirements by the end date indicated on your I-20 and you wish to remain in the United States in F-1 status while completing your degree requirements, then you must apply for an F-1 program/I-20 extensionprior to your F-1 program end date.
- Extensions cannot be granted after your F-1 program end date has passed.

Initial I-20 Extension Requests

Eligibility requirements for an initial I-20 program extension:

Continuous maintenance of F-1 status and demonstration of measurable academic progress towards academic degree requirements; and
Program completion delay was caused by compelling academic or medical reasons.
- Acceptable academic reasons for an extension include but are not limited to change of major, change in research topics, unexpected research problems, loss of credits upon school transfer, retaking coursework, and enrollment in coursework that might not count toward major requirements.
- If there is an academic suspension on the CU academic record in the past, a student must have made measurable academic progress, based on their cumulative GPA since the academic suspension, in order to be eligible for an I-20 program extension.

Extension for Academic Reason

Important considerations to keep in mind if you are requesting an extension based on an academic reason:

An I-20 program extension can only be issued for up to 12 months based on remaining required coursework for the current degree.
An academic agreement will be generated as part of the extension request process.
An F-1 program extension is not guaranteed. ISSS will only approve an F-1 program extension if all the F-1 regulatory requirements are met.

Extension for Medical Reason

Important considerations to keep in mind if you are requesting an extension based on a compelling medical reason:

An F-1 program/I-20 extension will only be issued for up to a maximum of 12 months total per degree level.
Students need to provide supplemental medical documentation to confirm a compelling medical reason.
- F-1 Extension- Confirmation of Compelling Medical Reason or comparable documentation signed by a medical professional authorized by the F-1 regulations.
  - U.S.-licensed Medical Doctor (MD); U.S.-licensed Doctor of Osteopathy (DO); U.S.- licensed Psychiatrist; U.S.-licensed Clinical Psychologist (CP); or U.S.-licensed Psychologist

Additional I-20 Extension Requests

If you are applying for a second or subsequent extension of your F-1 program, you must have demonstrated measurable academic progress by showing an improved cumulative GPA and successful completion of required coursework over the semesters since your first approved F-1 program extension. For dissertation and thesis students, proof of academic progress is supported by an approved Graduate School petition for an extension.

Students petitioning for a second F-1 program extension based on ‘compelling medical reasons’ must submit new documentation attesting to the “extreme extenuating circumstances” contributing to the need for an additional F-1 program extension that is signed by a medical professional authorized by the F-1 regulations.
- U.S.-licensed Medical Doctor (MD); U.S.-licensed Doctor of Osteopathy (DO); U.S.- licensed Psychiatrist; U.S.-licensed Clinical Psychologist (CP); or U.S.-licensed Psychologist
A third extension request will in most cases be denied due to the F-1 regulatory requirement that a student in F-1 status make normal academic progress toward completing a course of study. Students needing additional time to complete their degree requirements after a second extension request are advised to consult ISSS for alternative options.

Requesting an I-20 Extension

If you need to apply for an I-20 program extension, submit your request and required documentation to ISSS at least two weeks prior to your I-20 program end date.

Extension of I-20/F-1 Status e-form (available in the MyISSS portal)
Proof of funding for extension period
- e.g., bank statement, affidavit of support; TA/RA appointment letter
If pursuing an initial I-20 extension due to a "compelling medical reason"
- Completed F-1 Extension- Confirmation of Compelling Medical Reasonor comparable documentation signed by a medical professional authorized by the F-1 regulations
  - U.S.-licensed Medical Doctor (MD); U.S.-licensed Doctor of Osteopathy (DO); U.S.- licensed Psychiatrist; U.S.-licensed Clinical Psychologist (CP); or U.S.-licensed Psychologist
If pursuing an additional I-20 extension due to a "compelling medical reason"
- New documentation attesting to the “extreme extenuating circumstances” contributing to the need for an additional F-1 program extension that is signed by a medical professional authorized by the F-1 regulations
  - U.S.-licensed Medical Doctor (MD); U.S.-licensed Doctor of Osteopathy (DO); U.S.- licensed Psychiatrist; U.S.-licensed Clinical Psychologist (CP); or U.S.-licensed Psychologist

If the ISSS advising team determines you are eligible for an F-1 program/I-20 extension, ISSS will update your SEVIS record and issue a new I-20 with the extended program end date.

If you have any questions about initiating an extension, contact ISSS.

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Summer 2024 enrollment requirements for graduating students

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 22:43:48 +0000

Summer 2024 enrollment requirements for graduating students Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 02/23/2024 - 15:43

If you will complete your degree this summer, full-time enrollment (or an authorized equivalent) that includes a physical presence on campus is required to maintain your F-1 status.

Reporting Summer 2024 as Your Final Semester

To report summer 2024 as your final semester, you must complete the Confirmation of Final Semester e-form, available in the MyISSS portal under “Immigration & Academic-Related Forms.” All summer graduates are required to complete the Confirmation of Final Semester e-form, regardless of full-time/part-time enrollment status.

On-campus presence is required in your final semester, even if you submit a Confirmation of Final Term e-form.

International students in F-1 status who hold undergraduate senior class standing as well as graduate students pursuing a master's degree are required to complete the ISSS Summer Registration Hold Release e-form (available in the MyISSS portal under “Immigration & Academic-Related Forms") prior to being able to register for courses in the summer.

Full-Time Enrollment Requirements for Summer

To be considered full-time in the summer: 

Undergraduate Student: Minimum of 6 credit hours of undergraduate course work 
Graduate Student: Usually, a minimum of 3 credit hours but will depend on your graduate status and level of course enrollment. Graduate School rules for full-time status apply 
Students with less than a full-time course load remaining must:
- Enroll in the credits required to complete your degree.
- ISSS will authorize an academic reduced course load after we review your Confirmation of Final Semester e-form.

On-Campus Presence Requirement for Summer Graduates

On-campus presence in the summer is required to maintain status if you are completing your course of study in the summer. Students must register for course work that requires their physical attendance on the 91�� campus (in-person instruction) in their final semester in order to maintain their F-1 or J-1 status. While students can count up to 3 credits of online/remote/distance education courses towards the credits needed to complete their academic program requirements in their final semester, they must still meet the on-campus presence requirement. If a student needs only 3 credits to complete their program, then at least 1 credit must be in-person.

You must enroll in at least one in-person course if your final semester/term is during the summer. Courses and labs with a required in-person credit-bearing element count as in-person courses

F-1 Program End Dates for Students Graduating in Summer

Usually, students graduating in the summer term who will not be applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) will have their I-20 program end date shortened to August 22, 2024.

If you plan to apply for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training, your last day of summer enrollment determines the end date of your F-1 program. This date impacts your on-campus employment authorization end date, when you can apply for OPT, and when your grace period starts. Each summer graduate applying for OPT or pursuing a master's with a thesis option may have a different F-1 program end date depending on their circumstances. Contact ISSS to determine when your 60-day grace period begins.

If you have any questions, contact ISSS.   

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Are you an international student in F-1 status completing your academic program spring 2024? Here are some important reminders

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 18:37:18 +0000

Are you an international student in F-1 status completing your academic program spring 2024? Here are some important reminders Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 11/09/2023 - 11:37

Let ISSS know!

If you are graduating this semester:
- Complete the ISSS Confirmation of Final Semester e-form (available in the MyISSS portal).
If you plan to defend your dissertation or thesis prior to the start of the summer 2024 term:
- Email ISSS as soon as possible so ISSS can provide important information regarding your F-1 status.

Your I-20 end date will be shortened

Did you know that your F-1 status is based on continuing enrollment or post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)?

If you are completing your studies in spring 2024, including defending your thesis or dissertation before the start of the Summer 2024 term, then the academic program end date on your I-20 will be shortened to 5/8/2024.

Students who satisfy all requirements for the completion of their program cannot continue to be enrolled for administrative purposes.

Students who successfully defend their thesis or dissertation do not need to enroll in subsequent terms. Future enrollment is considered enrollment for administrative purposes.
Students who complete all requirements for their degree and continue to enroll in courses to prepare for graduate school or the completion of a certificate, are considered enrolled for administrative purposes.
Enrollment for administrative purposes does not allow a student to maintain their F-1 status.

Consult ISSS to discuss your options for staying in the U.S. after defending your thesis or completing your degree.

Work authorization on and off-campus

Your ability to work in the U.S. is based on your continued enrollment or on OPT authorization.

All employment authorization ends on the last day of the spring 2024 semester, 5/8/2024. This applies to on-campus employment (including teaching and research assistantships) and off-campus work authorization (e.g., curricular practical training, pre-completion OPT).
You are not able to work in the U.S. after 5/8/2024 unless you meet all the following criteria:
- applied for post-completion OPT;
- received your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD card); and
- it is within the work authorization period indicated on the card.

Applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

If you are graduating or defending and are interested in applying for post-completion OPT, you must apply for OPT before the end of your 60-day grace period. To ensure your application is receipted in time by USCIS, you must apply no later than 7/7/2024.

For spring 2024 graduates, the 60-day grace period ends on 07/7/2024, 60 days after the semester end date of 5/8/2024.

Before filing your OPT application with USCIS, you must receive an I-20 recommending OPT from ISSS. ISSS recommends you apply for post-completion OPT as close to 90 days prior to your F-1 program completion date to increase your chances of receiving your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card in a timely manner.

For spring 2024 graduates, ISSS can make the required OPT recommendation in SEVIS as early as 2/8/2024.

Visit our OPT webpage and attend a Post-Completion OPT Workshop to learn about the application process.

Congratulations and good luck to our spring graduates!

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Drop advising required hold- Spring 2024

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 18:26:37 +0000

Drop advising required hold- Spring 2024 Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 11/09/2023 - 11:26

Immigration regulations require students in F-1 and J-1 status to be enrolled in a full-time course load each fall and spring semester to maintain nonimmigrant visa status.

Full-time enrollment is only required in the summer if it is your first or last semester of enrollment.

Drop advising required hold

The hold will be placed on the student records of all students in F-1 and J-1 status on February 1,2024. It will be viewable in the Buff Portal on this date.

If students in F-1 or J-1 status wish to drop a class after the Drop Advising Required Hold goes on their record, they must contact an ISSS advisor to request permission to drop the class(es). If dropping the class(es) will not result in under-enrollment, then the Drop Advising Required Hold will be removed for 48 hours in order to allow students to drop the approved class(es).

Students can meet with an ISSS advisor during advising hours or email ISSS to have the hold temporarily removed.

ISSS will place the hold back on students’ records to prevent the dropping of additional courses.

Exceptions to the Full-Time Enrollment Requirement

Contact ISSS with any questions regarding the drop advising required hold and full-time enrollment requirement.

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The Importance of Attending In-Person Classes

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 21:44:42 +0000

The Importance of Attending In-Person Classes Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 10/30/2023 - 15:44

The 91�� offers several instruction modes for courses. You can learn more about the different instruction modes on this Office of the Registrar webpage. The different instruction modes offer students helpful flexibility when it comes to creating a schedule that works well for them.

For international students who hold F-1 or J-1 student visa status, keep in mind the legal requirement for on-campus presence when choosing which instruction mode works best for your schedule. On-campus presence refers to the legal requirement for international students in the United States in F-1 or J-1 status to enroll in courses that “require the student's physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to completion of the class.” Students must register for a certain number of credit hours that are taught using an instruction mode that requires in-person attendance if they wish to remain in the U.S. in valid F-1 or J-1 status.

While ISSS encourages students to take full advantage of the flexibility offered by the different modalities– such as the hybrid and online options, remember that the immigration regulations limit the number of online credits that count toward full-time enrollment.

For both undergraduate and graduate students in F-1 and J-1 status, only 3 credits of online/remote/distance education courses can count towards the full-time enrollment requirement. For example, if you are an undergraduate student, you can take a 3-credit class online, but you must have at least 9 additional on-campus credits that are in-person. The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) clearly states on their Reminders About Online and Distance Learning Courses | Study in the States (dhs.gov) webpage: “Online or distance learning received at a location other than the SEVP-certified school where the F-1 academic or professional student is enrolled is limited to three credits per session toward a full course of study in each academic term.”

Some of the instruction modes at 91�� allow a great deal of flexibility in terms of in-person attendance, particularly the instruction mode titled, “Hybrid In Person and Online and/or Remote (HY)”

The Office of the Registrar explains that these courses are, “Taught using a combination of in-person learning (same meeting patterns for all enrolled students) with online and/or remote coursework.”

If you are an international student in F-1 or J-1 status enrolled in a hybrid course to meet the regulatory on-campus presence requirement, then you must regularly attend the in-person component of the course. You should be able to document the attendance requirement and your fulfillment of that requirement. If, during the semester, the in-person component is no longer required, or stops meeting due to lack of attendance, please inform ISSS right away. ISSS will work with you and the department to ensure that the course continues to meet in-person so that you can maintain your F-1 or J-1 status.

Also, if you sign up for a course that has the option of attending both in-person and remotely, be respectful of the instructor and other students and attend the course in-person regularly. Failure to attend the course in-person presents challenges to the instructor and to the students who signed up for an in-person course experience. It also jeopardizes your immigration status if you fail to meet the in-person attendance requirements.

Similarly, if you are enrolled in a course with in-person instruction mode, you must attend in person, even if the faculty member does not require attendance.

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Are You an International Student in F-1 Status Completing Your Academic Program Fall 2023? Here are some important reminders.

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 20:20:11 +0000

Are You an International Student in F-1 Status Completing Your Academic Program Fall 2023? Here are some important reminders. Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 07/25/2023 - 14:20

Let ISSS Know!

If you are graduating this semester:
- Complete the ISSS Confirmation of Final Semester e-form (available in the MyISSS portal).
If you plan to defend your dissertation or thesis prior to the start of the Spring 2024 term:
- Email ISSS as soon as possible so that ISSS can provide important information regarding your F-1 status.

Your I-20 End Date Will Be Shortened

Did you know that your F-1 status is based on continuing enrollment or post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization?

If you are completing your studies in Fall 2023, including defending your thesis or dissertation before the start of the Spring 2024 term, then the academic program end date on your I-20 will be shortened to 12/20/2023.

Students who satisfy all requirements for the completion of their program cannot continue to be enrolled for administrative purposes.

Students who successfully defend their thesis or dissertation do not need to enroll in subsequent terms. Future enrollment is considered enrollment for administrative purposes.
Students who complete all requirements for their degree and continue to enroll in courses to prepare for graduate school or the completion of a certificate, are considered enrolled for administrative purposes.
Enrollment for administrative purposes does not allow a student to maintain their F-1 status.

Consult ISSS to discuss your options for staying in the U.S. after defending your thesis or completing your degree.

Work Authorization On and Off-Campus

Your ability to work in the U.S. is based on your continued enrollment or OPT authorization.

All employment authorization ends on the last day of the Fall 2023 semester, 12/20/2023. This applies to on-campus employment (including teaching and research assistantships) and off-campus work authorization (e.g., curricular practical training, pre-completion OPT).
You are not able to work in the U.S. after 12/20/2023 unless you meet all the following criteria:
- applied for post-completion OPT;
- received your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD card); and
- it is within the work authorization period indicated on the card.

Applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

If you are graduating or defending and are interested in applying for post-completion OPT, you must apply before the end of your 60-day grace period. To ensure your application is receipted in time by USCIS, you must apply no later than 02/16/2024.

For Fall 2023 graduates, the 60-day grace period ends on 02/18/2024, 60 days after the semester end date of 12/20/2023.

For Fall 2023 graduates, ISSS can make the required OPT recommendation in SEVIS as early as 09/21/2023.

Visit our OPT webpage and attend a Post-Completion OPT Workshop to learn about the application process.

Congratulations and good luck to our Fall 2023 graduates!

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Enrollment for Administrative Purposes

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 13:35:40 +0000

Enrollment for Administrative Purposes Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/24/2023 - 06:35

While international students who hold F-1 visa status have some flexibility regarding the course work they take toward their degree, there are a few important regulatory requirements to keep in mind such as the number of years given to complete their course of study (as reflected on the Form I-20), a limitation on the number of online credits that can count toward full-time enrollment, and enrollment for “administrative purposes.” This last limitation can cause some confusion.

The student visa regulations do not allow students who have satisfied all requirements for the completion of their program or who have successfully defended their master's thesis or Ph.D. dissertation to continue to be enrolled for administrative purposes. For example, students who have successfully defended their thesis or dissertation need not enroll in subsequent terms, therefore future enrollment would be considered enrollment for administrative purposes only. Students who completed all of the required course work for their major and/or minor cannot continue to maintain their F-1 status through enrollment because this would be considered enrollment for administrative purposes.

There are many reasons why a student may wish to continue to enroll after having completed all of their degree requirements:

They wish to prepare for graduate school and additional course work, or improving their GPA, would be helpful.
They wish to expand their knowledge of a particular topic and simply would like to take a few extra classes.
They wish to delay graduation for personal reasons, such as a job search or wanting more time to apply for graduate school.

While ISSS understands these reasons, the visa regulations strictly prohibit enrollment for administrative purposes. If a student has completed the required course work for their degree, or if they have defended their dissertation, then their student visa program will be shortened to the last day of required enrollment. ISSS can advise students on other options to maintain U.S. immigration status such as Optional Practical Training (OPT), change of level, change of status, or transfer to another school.

It’s important to keep this limitation in mind and to plan accordingly. Make sure that there is required course work in the final semester– either for the major or minor. Make sure that the thesis/dissertation defense takes place in timely manner with the understanding that enrollment after the successful defense of the thesis or dissertation is prohibited.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact ISSS for clarification.

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