Full Time Study
Study F-1 students are required to maintain full-time enrollment status. Full-time study is at least 18 hours of instruction per week for ESL programs, or a minimum of 12 units of study per quarter for academic programs.
Dropping below required hours or units without permission is a violation of your F-1 status, which may lead to academic dismissal and termination of your Form I-20. If your Form I-20 is terminated in SEVIS, you must leave the United States immediately and the termination may negatively affect future visa applications to the U.S.
If you are in the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 visa or other type of visa that does not allow full-time study, you must enroll in less than 18 hours of classes per week for ESL programs or less than 12 units of study per quarter for academic programs.
Attendance Policy
You are expected to attend class during all scheduled class times. Not attending class time will negatively affect your F-1 status, which may lead to academic disqualification and termination of your I-20. If your I-20 is terminated, you must leave the U.S. immediately and the termination may negatively affect future visa applications to the U.S. Please be sure to carefully review your course syllabus and program requirements to fully understand the attendance policy.
Local Address in the U.S.
As an F-1 student, you must regularly report any changes to your Designated School Official (DSO) to ensure that your information is correct in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Federal regulations require that you report your local address and any change to your address to maintain your F-1 status. Your local address must be the physical address where you currently live in the U.S. and cannot be a PO Box. If you move from one home to another during your studies, you must report the new address by updating your DCE online student profile within 10 days of moving.
Reduced Course Load Due to Medical Reasons
If you are unable to attend your program full-time due to a temporary illness or medical condition you may be authorized for a reduced course load. The maximum time allowed for a reduced course load is 12 months. You must provide a letter on official letterhead signed by an appropriate medical official to request a Reduced Course Load for medical reasons for the full quarter (or remainder of the quarter from when the student requests a reduced course load).
The official letter must:
- Include the student’s full name
- Be signed and dated by a licensed Medical Doctor, Psychiatrist, Doctor of Osteopathy, Licensed Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist
- Be on official letterhead and include the doctor’s contact information and the name and address of the medical office, clinic/urgent care, or hospital
- Recommend the student take a reduced course load (or, if necessary, no course load) due to medical reasons
- Must specify the start and end date for the recommended reduced course load (dates must cover the entire quarter or remainder of the quarter from when the student is requesting leave)
Your International Student Advisor may approve an authorized reduced course load if your medical documentation meets the requirements above. An authorized reduced course load allows the student to maintain F-1 status during the approved quarter for a reduced course load. Authorization for a reduced course load does not automatically carry over to the next term. You may be required to submit new medical documentation to continue your reduced course load to the next term. Be sure to check with your International Student Advisor to make sure you know what is required to maintain your F-1 status.
Absences are not removed from your record of attendance. All absences are recorded and cannot be excused, erased, or removed for any reason.
Please contact Immigrationofficials@ce.uci.edu for further assistance.
Please visit International Programs: Payment Policies and Deadlines for important payment policies and deadlines.
Extension of I-20
If you plan to continue your studies and your I-20 will expire on or before the end of your current program, you must email ImmigrationOfficials@ce.uci.edu to extend your I-20 before the I-20 expiration date. The I-20 expiration date is listed on page one of your I-20, under Program End Date.
60-Day Grace Period
Once you successfully complete your program and if you will not continue your studies in the U.S. after your program ends, your 60-day grace period begins the day after your last class. Once you depart the U.S., your 60-day grace period ends and your I-20 from UCI DCE is no longer valid. During your 60-day grace period, you can do the following:
- Travel within the United States and prepare to depart by the end of the grace period
- Apply and be accepted to a new school and start within five months of your current program end date
- Apply to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change of class of admission
You must depart from the U.S. within 60 calendar days after the last day of your classes.
Your I-20 at UCI Division of Continuing Education and 60-day grace period will end the exact day you depart from the United States.