Full Time Enrollment Requirements

Full-Time Enrollment Requirement

Students on F-1 and J-1 visa status are required to register for, and complete, a full course of study each fall and spring semester.

Undergraduate Students: Full-time for undergraduate students is 12 credits, with a minimum of 9 credits being fully in-person. The remaining 3 credits can be a hybrid/online course.
Graduate students: Full-time for graduate students is 9 credits, with a minimum of 6 credits being fully in-person. The remaining 3 credits can be a hybrid/online course.

*Courses considered "fully in-person" must have no online or hybrid components.

Please note additional credit requirements vary depending on the program to which you were admitted; in some cases, the required credits for your degree program may exceed the number of credits listed as full-time. Dropping below a full-time course load without prior authorization by ISS is considered a violation of your F-1 or J-1 visa status and will result in a negative SEVIS record termination.

At the beginning of each semester, ISS is required to confirm that all international students are maintaining full-time enrollment. Student enrollment continues to be monitored throughout the semester. Students who drop below full-time enrollment without prior authorization from ISS must be reported to the Department of Homeland Security via SEVIS. As a result, the student will lose lawful F-1 or J-1 status including employment eligibility and benefits.

Semester Verification
Federal regulations require FDU to notify the Department of Homeland Security about the physical presence and registration of every F-1 student each academic semester. This is completed on the student’s SEVIS record once they have verified that they have returned to campus and are registered for a full course of study. 

Exceptions
Federal regulations permit exceptions to the full-time enrollment requirement in very limited circumstances. You must request and obtain authorization from ISS prior to dropping below full-time enrollment. ISS cannot retroactively authorize a drop below full-time enrollment; you must contact ISS before you drop or withdraw from classes. Students may be considered for an exception for the following reasons:
 
Reduced Enrollment for Academic Reasons
Acceptable academic reasons for dropping below full-time enrollment include improper course level placement, initial difficulties with the English language and/or reading requirements, or unfamiliarity with American teaching methods.

You must complete a Less Than Full-Time Request and have your academic advisor verify the circumstances with the recommendation that you be allowed to take less than a full-time credit load for the semester.

*Authorization for reduced enrollment due to initial difficulties with the English language and/or reading requirements or unfamiliarity with American teaching methods may only be authorized during the first semester of study.
 
Reduced Enrollment for Final Semester
Degree-seeking students on F-1 or J-1 visa status may be authorized to drop below full-time enrollment in their final semester if they will complete all program requirements by the end of that semester. Students must complete a Less Than Full-Time Request and their academic advisor must electronically verify that the student is in their final semester and the number of credits needed to complete their program.

Reduced Enrollment for Medical Reasons
Students may be authorized to drop below full-time enrollment due to physical or mental health reasons. Students must provide documentation from a medical doctor, recommending a reduced course load due to illness or medical condition. The letter must also specify the time period recommended for the reduced enrollment.

*Authorization for reduced enrollment for medical reasons cannot exceed a cumulative period of 12 months during the student’s degree program. Authorization for reduced enrollment for medical reasons can only be given one semester at a time, therefore continuing health issues may require more than one authorization.

Requesting Authorization for a Reduced Course Load
To request authorization for a reduced course load, you must complete the Less Than Full-Time Request on the International Student Portal. Upon approval, your SEVIS record will be updated to reflect the reduced course load authorization, and you will receive a new Form I-20 documenting the authorization.