There are few important rules you must follow to maintain valid F-1 student status. It is your responsibility to follow these rules: Maintain full-time enrollment Enroll in 16-week long classes every Fall and Spring. You may not take only 8-week long classes. Complete a minimum of 12 units during each Fall and Spring. At least 9 of your minimum 12 units must be taught on-campus. Only 3 units of online classes can be counted towards your minimum 12 units. Hybrid classes with a consistent on-campus component count as on campus. You can take classes at another school to complete the 12 unit requirement in a term but the majority of your units must be taken at the school that holds your I-20/SEVIS record.  Online Units You must complete 12 units every Fall and Spring (or 6 units if Summer is your first semester). You must take at least 9 units of in-person instruction courses. Only 3 of the online units can be counted towards the minimum of 12 units for full-time enrollment  Hybrid classes with an on campus component count as on campus units. Beware, some hybrid classes are half online and half in-person. These classes do not have an on campus component and are 100% online. If you are a new student starting in the summer, only 3 units out of 6 may be online. For Example: You may not take 6 online and 6 on campus units.  9 on campus units and 3 online units is acceptable . Maintain Good Academic Standing Maintain a 2.0 GPA or better to avoid academic probation or even dismissal from your institution. You may be placed on academic probation if your overall GPA falls below 2.0. If you have any questions or concerns about your GPA, make an appointment to see an international academic counselor in your institution. Follow All Other Federal and State Laws Working in the U.S. without authorization is PROHIBITED. If you wish, you may volunteer at an established volunteer program such as a Food bank, Homeless shelter, Animal Shelter, hospital etc... File your Tax return every year even if you did not earn income in the USA. For M-1 Status: Maintain Full-Time Enrollment: You must take a full course of study as defined by your school (e.g., at least 12 semester/quarter hours or 12 hours of instruction per week). Keep I-20 Valid/Extensions: If you cannot finish your program by the end date on your Form I-20, you must work with your Designated School Official (DSO) to request an extension before it expires. Limitations on Transfer: M-1 students can only transfer schools within the first six months of their program and cannot change their course of study. Authorized Employment: You cannot work off-campus without authorization. Practical training must be approved by the USCIS, typically after program completion. Address Updates: You must report any change of address to your DSO within 10 days of moving. Grace Period: Upon completion of your studies and any authorized practical training, you have a 30-day grace period to depart the United States. Reinstatement: If you fall out of status, you may be eligible to apply for reinstatement if you have not been out of status for more than 5 months and meet specific requirements. Note: M-1 students are not allowed to take annual vacations.

In very limited situations, you may be permitted to take less than 12 units. Do NOT drop below 12 units until you have met with an F-1 advisor and been authorized for Reduced Course Load (RCL). Final Semester before graduation or transfer If you have less than 12 units to complete in your last semester to meet graduation/transfer requirements, you may be eligible for Last Semester RCL.  NOTE: RCL does NOT authorize you to take an excess of online units, or enroll with an excess of concurrent enrollment at another school. You must still take the majority of your classes at your main institution, and on campus.    Academic Difficulties If this is your first semester attending a U.S. college and you are struggling in classes, you may be eligible for a Reduced Course Load (RCL). Please see an international student advisor to determine if you are eligible. Not all students will be eligible and you must be approved before dropping below 12 units. Medical Authorization If you are ill and being medically treated by a doctor (M.D. or D.O. or a Psychologist) for a medical or mental health condition that prevents you from attending classes or requires that you have less than full time course load, you may be eligible for Medical Reduced Course Load.

If you take a class at another school, you can count these towards the required 12 units total for full-time enrollment.  At least 9 units must be taken at your main institution. At least one class must be a 16-week class in your main institution. Only 3 online units may count towards full-time enrollment. At least 9 units must be taught on-campus Courses taken at another institution may not meet your institution prerequisites, graduation and/or transfer requirements.

​If your I-20 is expiring but you need more time to complete your program, you may be eligible for an I-20 extension.   We recommend that you apply for I-20 extension at least two months before the expiration date. You must complete this process before your I-20 expires, you will not be eligible for an extension and you will be out of status. NOTE: If your I-20 ends this semester and you will transfer out for next semester, you do not need to extend your I-20 first. For example, if your I-20 ends in Fall (December) and you will transfer out for Spring, you do not need to extend your I-20. Graduating students have a 60-day grace period (after expiration) to transfer their I-20.

If you plan to change schools due to relocation, or moving-on to a new academic level of study, you must transfer your SEVIS record to the new institution. Please Note:  If your I-20 ends this semester and you will transfer out for next semester, you do not need to extend your I-20 first. For example, if your I-20 ends in Spring (May) and you will transfer out for Fall, you do not need to extend your I-20. You must complete your last semester at your main institution. Do not drop your classes. Your main institution will transfer your SEVIS record the day after the semester ends. When your institution transfers out your SEVIS record (I-20), the new school will receive it electronically. You should contact them for your new I-20. Your transfer must be completed within the 60-day grace period, counted from the last day you attended classes at your main institution. If you miss the grace period, your institution will be unable to transfer your SEVIS record in active status. U.S. Immigration regulations require that you must attend the next available session at your new school, and it must start no later than 5 months after your last day of attendance (or OPT) at your old institution.  If you plan to travel outside of the U.S. before classes begin at your new school, you will need to use the new school's I-20 to re-enter the U.S.  If you are currently on OPT, your OPT will end when your institution transfers your SEVIS record. Do not drop the current semester's classes. You must finish the current term to transfer out in-status (with an active status I-20).

Please meet with an international student advisor from your institution if you plan to take a temporary leave of absence or completely withdraw from your institution. Some students have to leave due to personal difficulties/emergencies, or simply to return home for personal reasons. Your institution will advise you on the proper steps to take, your I-20, how long you are allowed to stay in the USA, and when to drop your classes. If you leave the U.S. without informing an F-1 advisor, your I-20 may be terminated, which may negatively affect immigration issues or problems traveling to/from the U.S. in the future. If you do not enroll and remain in the U.S., your I-20 will be terminated for 'Failure to Enroll,' which will have serious consequences. Generally, you cannot take a semester off if you stay in the U.S.

Passport Your passport must be valid at all times while you are in the U.S. When you travel, you must have at least 6 months remaining on your passport to re-enter the U.S. Contact your home country embassy in the U.S. for instructions on how to renew your passport. Visa Your F-1 visa must be valid for you to enter the U.S. However, you can remain in the U.S. with an expired F-1 visa as long as you have a valid passport and an I-20 and are maintaining your F-1 student status. For information on renewing your visa, please visit the Visa Information page. I-94 The I-94 form is a record of your legal admission to the U.S. You can download your I-94 online. Make sure that the "class of admission" on your I-94 says F-1.

​All F-1 students must provide their current U.S. address, phone number, and an emergency contact within 10 days of arriving in the U.S. Current F-1 students should report any changes within 10 days. Make sure you use the USA format for your address and a 10-digit phone number.