Overview
Minimum Credit Requirements
Immigration regulations require F-1 students to be enrolled full time during the fall and spring semesters.
Summer Enrollment Requirements
Summer is considered a vacation period for continuing F-1 students. However, F-1 students are required to enroll full time during the summer if:
- Summer is first semester at ISU (applies to both initial and reentry students)
- Summer is first semester in new academic level
- Summer is final semester in program
Exceptions to Full-Time Enrollment Requirements
A Reduced Course Load (RCL) is requested when a student wishes an exception for the full-time enrollment requirements. Review the Reduced Course Load FAQ on the ISSO website under the students tab for more information on the RCL and eligibility requirements.
Full-Time Enrollment
| Undergraduate | Graduate without Assistantship | Graduate with Assistantship | |
| Fall/Spring | 12 credits | 9 credits | Determined by department |
| Summer (If Summer is first or last semester at ISU) |
6 credits | 4.5 credits | Determined by department |
| Summer (If continuing student) |
Enrollment is not required | Enrollment is not required |
Enrollment is not required by regulations; Check with Graduate College for their policies, if on an assistantship |
Online Course Restrictions
You may not have more than one online class count toward full-time enrollment, and no more than 3 credits of that course may count toward full-time enrollment.
- Undergraduate Scenarios (fall or spring semester):
- 9 credits on campus + one 3-credit online course = full-time enrollment.
- 11 credits on campus + one 1-credit online course = full-time enrollment.
- Graduate Scenarios (fall or spring semester):
- 6 credits on campus + one 3-credit online course = full-time enrollment.
- 8 credits on campus + one 1-credit online course = full-time enrollment.
Other Course Restrictions
The following courses are not included when determining full-time enrollment:
- Audited courses
- Courses dropped after the semester has begun
- Receive a mark of an "X" or "W"
- More than one class (not to exceed 3 credits) taken online or through distance education for determining full-time enrollment
Research Abroad Requirements
Eligibility for Research Abroad in F-1 Status
- Must have completed all coursework for academic program
- Must be enrolled in ISU Health Insurance while doing research abroad
- Must be approved every semester to do research abroad
- Must receive a strong letter of support from Faculty Adviser
Requirements to Maintain F-1 Status During Research Abroad
The following requirements must be met to maintain F-1 status while doing research outside of the U.S.
- Register as a full-time student (or have an RCL approved) at ISU every semester.
- Obtain a travel signature on your I-20 before departing the U.S.
- Continue to check your ISU email while you are outside of the U.S.
Returning to the U.S.
Before returning to the U.S., students must:
- Contact ISSO at least 1 month prior to your return to let us know you are coming back
- Check your passport, F-1 visa, I-20, and travel signature for validity
- Present your immigration documents to ISSO for review upon your return to ISU
Immigration Consequences
Failure to enroll full time may result in the following:
- Violation of F-1 nonimmigrant status
- Must apply for reinstatement or depart U.S. and return on new I-20 to regain F-1 status
- Must immediately stop working on campus
- Any authorized off-campus work will be automatically terminated
- Lose eligibility for all other benefits of F-1 nonimmigrant status
- Lose eligibility to change status, for example from F-1 to F-2, F-1 to H-1B, etc.