International students on an F-1 visa MUST remain enrolled as a fulltime student which is at least 12 credits for undergraduate and 9 credits for graduate students. Students with other types of visas may be able to enroll in fewer credits. Students should check with the International Student & Scholar Services officeEnd of Program60 Day Voluntary DepartureOnce you have completed all requirements for your program, even if USCIS documents/visas are valid, you have only 60 days to either:Apply for Optional Practical Training.Leave the U.S.Begin a new program of study.Change to another visa status. Officially, you have 60 days from the last date of classes or graduation to leave the country. They call it the "60 day voluntary departure date." Number 5 on your SEVIS I-20 states, “The student is expected to report to the school no later than ____ and complete studies not later than ____.” Count your 60 day voluntary departure date from the part that says “complete studies not later than. . . .” If you do none of the above and stay over your 60 day voluntary departure period, you will be in violation of status.Authorized Early WithdrawalSome students may need to withdraw from the college early for extenuating circumstances such as a family emergency, personal matter or another circumstance that requires the student to leave the US prior to the end of the academic program. These students are permitted a 15-day grace period to leave the US. Any stay beyond that is a violation of US immigration policy.Unauthorized Early WithdrawalAny student who withdraws from Wilson College without authorization MUST immediately leave the US. Any stay beyond that is a violation of US immigration policy. Full-time status International students on an F-1 visa must maintain full-time enrollment. Undergraduate students must enroll in at least 12 credits (usually 4 courses) and graduate students must enroll in at least 9 credits. Please check with the International Student & Scholar Services office (ISSS) if you are interested in taking classes for credit/no credit. Under certain circumstances, international students may be authorized to enroll for less than a full course of study and still be considered full-time. If you are in your first or last semester at Wilson, you might be eligible to drop below a full course of study. Students must receive approval from ISSS before reducing their course load. ISSS must review the case with the student to determine if a valid academic or medical reason exists before approving and documenting the request. Failure to speak with ISSS and receive pre-approval may jeopardize the student’s immigration status. International students should speak with ISSS staff when considering dropping a class if they are failing that class. Seniors Second semester seniors are eligible to drop below full-time enrollment with pre-approval of ISSS. This is to account for seniors who have completed most classes for graduation and have few classes left to take. First-semester students If this is your first semester in an American college/university and you struggle with the necessary academic skills/language skills, you might be eligible to drop below full-time status. Discuss this with ISSS before dropping any classes. You must have prior approval. Misplacement If you are incorrectly placed in class which is too difficult, you might be eligible to drop below full-time status. Again, prior permission of ISSS is required. Don't just drop the class. Summers International students are not required to take classes during summer vacation, unless summer is the first semester of enrollment at an American university. Changing Majors Contact ISSS if you are considering changing majors, because your SEVIS record must be updated if you change majors. International Students About the College Admissions Timeline Apply To Wilson International Student Enrollment International Scholar Services (ISS) International Resources Getting Ready for Wilson Visa Information Transfer Students Student Services Relevant links ... International Students About the College Admissions Timeline Apply To Wilson International Student Enrollment International Scholar Services (ISS) International Resources Getting Ready for Wilson Visa Information Transfer Students Student Services
International students on an F-1 visa must maintain full-time enrollment. Undergraduate students must enroll in at least 12 credits (usually 4 courses) and graduate students must enroll in at least 9 credits. Please check with the International Student & Scholar Services office (ISSS) if you are interested in taking classes for credit/no credit. Under certain circumstances, international students may be authorized to enroll for less than a full course of study and still be considered full-time. If you are in your first or last semester at Wilson, you might be eligible to drop below a full course of study. Students must receive approval from ISSS before reducing their course load. ISSS must review the case with the student to determine if a valid academic or medical reason exists before approving and documenting the request. Failure to speak with ISSS and receive pre-approval may jeopardize the student’s immigration status. International students should speak with ISSS staff when considering dropping a class if they are failing that class.
Second semester seniors are eligible to drop below full-time enrollment with pre-approval of ISSS. This is to account for seniors who have completed most classes for graduation and have few classes left to take.
If this is your first semester in an American college/university and you struggle with the necessary academic skills/language skills, you might be eligible to drop below full-time status. Discuss this with ISSS before dropping any classes. You must have prior approval.
If you are incorrectly placed in class which is too difficult, you might be eligible to drop below full-time status. Again, prior permission of ISSS is required. Don't just drop the class.
International students are not required to take classes during summer vacation, unless summer is the first semester of enrollment at an American university.
Contact ISSS if you are considering changing majors, because your SEVIS record must be updated if you change majors.
