To maintain your legal status, you must follow all U. S. laws in addition to the rules below.
- Ensure that the International Programs office has your valid physical address at all times. If you move, you must notify our office of your new address within 10 days of the address change.
- Maintain a full course of study during each semester.
- Undergraduate students on an F-1, or J-1 visa must enroll in at least 12 credit units per semester.
- Graduate students on an F-1 visa must enroll in at least 8 credit units per semester.
- All students can enroll in only one online course per semester, and have it count towards your full-time enrollment.
- Degree seeking students can enroll in less than the full-time course load in their final semester. Note that if you have one class left to graduate, the class must be an in-class course in order for you to maintain your immigration status.
- Make sure that your I-20 or DS-2019 is always up to date. If any changes are needed, then contact the International Programs office as soon as possible to update your document.
- Always maintain medical, repatriation, and medical evacuation insurance. Currently, we only accept health insurance from JCB Insurance Solutions.
- DO not accept unauthorized employment. F-1 degree seeking students can take an on campus job, but all off campus employment is considered unauthorized unless pre-approved by USCIS via OPT or CPT.
- If you work on campus, you may only work 20 hours per week while school is in session. You can work 21 or more hours per week during all academic breaks (summer and winter), if approved by your employer.
- Maintain a valid passport at all times.
- Do not travel outside the United States, even briefly, without a valid travel signature on your I-20, or DS-2019.
- Apply for an extension of your program if you cannot complete the degree requirements by the “end date” listed on your I-20. It is your responsibility to keep track of your end date. Extensions can only be granted if they are requested before the end date.
- Finally, attend all classes regularly and make satisfactory progress toward completion of your degree program.