Full Time Enrollment Registration Requirements

Annual vacation term

Most academic programs consider the summer term as a standard vacation period. For F-1 and J-1 students, full-time enrollment isn’t required during this time, and you may remain in the US or travel abroad.

If you’re scheduled to complete your program during the summer term, this can’t be viewed as a vacation, and enrollment reporting is required. Some students may choose to take a different term off as their vacation but need to coordinate with ISO in advance.

Part-time study, either at the University or another institution, is allowed if you want to take additional courses during a vacation term; some students may be eligible to apply for off-campus work permission.

Online courses and distance education

While international students are permitted to enroll in online courses during their program, they must still meet enrollment requirements each academic term. For F-1 students, only one course or three credits can be counted toward full-time registration each term. Students in J-1 status can’t count online courses toward their full-time enrollment.

Additional distance education classes may be taken once you’ve met the full-time enrollment requirement, or during a vacation term (described above). At the University of Rochester, hybrid classes can count towards your in-person enrollment requirements, as long as your physical attendance is required at some point during the term for completion of the class.

Study or graduate research abroad

If you’re going to continue your University of Rochester enrollment during an academic term overseas in an authorized program of study or research abroad, ISO may be able to maintain your current F-1 or J-1 record, even while you’re gone.

For details and procedures to update your documents, please reference our Study or Graduate Research Abroad page.

Exception: Reduced Course Load (RCL) authorization

In certain situations, an F-1 or J-1 student may apply to take fewer than the required credit hours in a specific academic term. The approved reasons for requesting a reduced course load are limited and determined by regulation, and include:

• Academic difficulties
• A documented medical condition
• Additional enrollment at another school
• Fewer credits needed in the final term

Your RCL authorization must be in place prior to registering for fewer than the required credit hours.

Download the RCL Authorization Form (PDF) to apply.

Registration reporting in SEVIS

Each term, ISO must report to SEVIS that every F-1 and J-1 student is:

1. Actively pursuing their academic program
2. Enrolled full-time or authorized for part-time study

At the start of classes, ISO submits a SEVIS registration event for all international students who are registered for that term. After the allowed add/drop registration period, our office must verify full-time enrollment.

Any student who isn’t registered for the required credits or its equivalent (and wasn’t previously authorized for a reduced course load) must then be reported to SEVIS as failing to enroll for sufficient credits. This causes your SEVIS record to be terminated and puts your immigration status in jeopardy.

To avoid this, be sure to follow procedures for a reduced course load, or research alternative options with your department and ISO in advance.

Extend or shorten your program completion date

When you are first admitted to your program of study, the University of Rochester is required to estimate your completion date for government reporting purposes. This date is listed on your I-20 (under “Program of Study”) or DS-2019 and is tied to the standard period of time allowed for students to complete their studies toward a particular program.

Many students require additional time to complete their studies, while others are able to finish early. In either case, you may need to update your F-1 or J-1 record. Use the Program Completion Date form (PDF).

Failure to request a program extension in a timely manner can result in a violation of immigration status, which can cause significant complications and may impact your eligibility for future F-1 or J-1 benefits.

Reminder: Your permission for on-campus employments (F-1 or J-1) will be tied to your new completion date.