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This email is ONLY for F-1 students and their F-2 dependents. Dear F-1 International Students: Great news! ISSS is happy to announce a recent change to the regulation regarding F-2 dependent’s eligibility to study in the U.S. The following is a summary of the new rule and this is effective immediately. 1. F-2 Post-secondary study at a SEVIS-certified school (e.g. community college, university) a. F-2 spouses are permitted to be engaged in study, degree or non-degree & credit or non-credit, as long as it is part-time (less than a full-time course load). Pursuant to respective regulations, full-time is defined at UConn as: · Study at the undergraduate level = 12 credits per semester · Study at the graduate level = 9 credits per semester · Study at the professional level = varied, confirm with ISSS · UCAELI (ESL study) = 18 hours per week · Study during summer = Varied. Contact an ISSS advisor to learn the full-time definition for a particular summer session in which the F-2 visa holder wishes to enroll If study by the F-2 takes place at a school other than UConn, including UConn Health Center, the F-2 must confirm with a Designated School Official (DSO) at the attending school, in writing, their full-time definition(s) to avoid any status violation. b. F-2 dependents must NOT pursue full-time study at post-secondary institutions. If the F-2 wishes to study on a full-time basis, s/he must change his/her status to F-1 and full-time study can begin only after obtaining F-1 status. If the F-2 is engaged in full-time study, s/he is considered to have violated F-2 status and is subject to SEVIS termination. If the F-2 wishes to change status to F-1 to study at UConn, please contact ISSS for guidance. 2. F-2 children are allowed to study at elementary and secondary study even on a full-time basis (kindergarten through twelfth grade). 3. F-2 dependents are NOT permitted to be engaged in employment, including practical training. If an academic program in which the F-2 enrolls requires internships or practicums for the program, s/he will need to change his/her status to F-1 and comply with all F-1 regulations, including full-time enrollment. Please note that these are brand new rules, which still require further detailed guidance from the government. This means that all advice and information provided by ISSS regarding F-2 study is subject to change upon future guidance releases. Should you have any questions, please contact ISSS. Happy Summer! ISSS UConn Global Affairs International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) McMahon Hall, 2011 Hillside Rd., U-1083 Storrs, CT 06269-1083 Phone: 860-486-3855<tel:860-486-3855> Fax: 860-486-5800<tel:860-486-5800> ISSS Summer Office Hours (5/12/2015-8/21/2015): Monday-Friday 9:00am-12:00pm & 1:00-4:00pm EST (12:00-1:00pm EST closed)