Dear F-1/J-1 International Students:

The Fall 2014 semester will begin soon and this is a reminder that all F-1 and J-1 international students must be registered for a full course load every semester. Full time status is defined as follows:

•              Undergraduate students (including undergraduate study abroad exchange students) - 12 credits per semester

•              Graduate students with graduate assistantship - 6 credits per semester

•              Graduate students without graduate assistantship (including graduate study abroad and Law School exchange students)  - 9 credits per semester

•              JD students - 12 credits

Any student registering less than full-time must submit a “Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request Form”  to ISSS by the below deadline. The RCL Request Form is available online at www.isss.uconn.edu > FORMS AND RESOURCES > FORMS.

If requesting a reduced course load based on FINAL SEMESTER, the deadline for form submission is Monday, August 25, 2014. 

If requesting a reduced course load based on ACADEMIC DIFFICULTY, students may not apply for an RCL until AFTER September 8, 2014. Students must attempt a full-time course load before requesting a reduced course load for academic difficulty.

**Please note that continuing registration courses (a.k.a. 0 credit courses) are not considered full-time enrollment for international students to maintain their full-time study.  These courses are available only for those F-1/J-1 graduate students who are in their last semester.**

Remember all international F-1 and J-1 students must see an International Advisor at ISSS BEFORE dropping below a full course of study.  It is a status violation to drop below full-time study as an international F-1/J-1 student before authorization is granted.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

F-1 and J-1 international students who will be taking a leave of absence (LOA) for the Fall 2014 semester need to contact an international advisor at ISSS as soon as possible to discuss the LOA implications on their F-1/J-1 status and their SEVIS records.

STUDY / RESEARCH ABROAD:

All F-1 and J-1 international students who will be pursuing full-time research outside of the U.S. must contact an international advisor at ISSS  as soon as possible to discuss the requirements to maintain F-1/J-1 status and their SEVIS record while outside of the U.S.

Please contact ISSS if you have any questions.

Have a great semester!

International Student & Scholar Services(ISSS)

Office of Global Affairs

University of Connecticut

2011 Hillside Road, Unit 1083

Storrs, CT 06269-1083

phone-(860) 486-3855

fax-(860)486-5800

ISSS Summer Office Hours (5/12/2014-8/15/2014):

Monday-Friday  9:00am-12:00pm & 1:00-4:00pm EST (12:00-1:00pm EST closed)

* To schedule an appointment with an ISSS advisor please visit www.advapp.uconn.edu and select ISSS (International Student & Scholar Services).