Full Time Enrollment Registration Requirements

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 vacation periods, 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.

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.

F-1 and J-1 students can take online courses while enrolled in their program, but they must still meet enrollment requirements each term. Only one online course or a maximum of three credits can count toward full-time status per term. International students can take extra online classes after the full-time enrollment requirement is met, or during a vacation term.

For F-1 students, hybrid classes count towards in-person enrollment if physical attendance is required at some point during the term, towards the completion of the class. For J-1 students, only hybrid classes that mostly require in-person attendance will count as in-person courses.

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.

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

Students may be approved to take fewer courses if they are having trouble with the English language, reading requirements, U.S. teaching methods, or improper course level placement. This is available only during the first term. A student authorized to drop below a full course of study for academic difficulties may still be authorized for a reduced course load, for another reason.

• A documented medical condition

Students may be authorized for a reduced or no course load for up to 12 months per degree level due to an illness or medical condition. The student must provide medical documentation from a U.S licensed doctor or mental health professional to support the request. A medical reduced course load must be requested by the student and reauthorized by ISO each term (if applicable). A student can only be approved for a period of time not to exceed a total of 12 months while the student is pursuing a course of study at a particular program level. After using 12 months, this option will no longer be available to use at that academic level.

• Additional enrollment at another school

An F-1 student can be enrolled in two different SEVP-certified schools at the same time, as long as their combined courses add up to a full course of study. The school where the student will earn their degree or certification should issue the Form I-20 and manage any relevant updates and reporting to SEVP.

• Fewer credits needed in the final term

Students who are in their final semester of study and only have a few credits remaining to meet academic program requirements are exempt from the full course load requirement in that semester. For example, if you only have one required class remaining in your degree program, you do not have to enroll in additional classes to maintain your immigration status. You will be considered as being in status despite only enrolling in one class. If you only need to be registered in one course to complete your degree program during your final semester, it must be in-person.

Please make sure to contact your academic advisor/department to learn more about what factors to consider before registering for anything less than full-time.

Once you’ve spoken to your academic advisor/department, please complete the ISO’s Reduced Course Load Authorization form and submit to URcompass before the start of the final semester.

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.

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).

Students who have satisfied all degree requirements cannot continue to be enrolled for administrative purposes without taking further action to maintain status. In order to extend your academic program there must be a compelling academic or documented medical reason. The extension must be based on academic requirements and you must continue to make academic progress for the completion of your degree.

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.