Dear F-1/J-1 International Students:

 

The Fall 2015 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 exchange students) - 12 credits per

                  semester

•              Graduate students with graduate assistantship - 6 credits per semester

•              Graduate students without graduate assistantship - 9 credits per semester

•                  Exchange students: 12 credits (1000-4000 level courses) or 9 credits (5000- 6000 level courses)

•              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 http://isss.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2014/10/ISSS_914_RCL_Authorization_Request.pdf

 

If requesting a reduced course load based on FINAL SEMESTER, the deadline for form submission is Monday, August 31, 2015. You must complete Section A and your academic advisor must complete Section C before submitting the form to ISSS. Students who are not at Storrs campus can email the completed form to [log in to unmask] . You will receive a copy of the form (with ISSS approval) and/or a new Form I-20 within 30 days after submitting your form.

 

If requesting a reduced course load based on ACADEMIC DIFFICULTY, students may not apply for an RCL until AFTER September 10, 2015. Students must attempt a full-time course load before requesting a reduced course load for academic difficulty. After completing Section A, you must come see your ISSS Advisor to complete Section B BEFORE having your academic advisor complete SECTION C.

 

**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, who have Reduced Course Load authorization from ISSS.**

 

Remember all international F-1 and J-1 students must have authorization from an ISSS international advisor 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 take a leave of absence (LOA) for the Fall 2015 semester need to contact an international advisor at ISSS as soon as possible to discuss the implications of Leave of Absence 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 either studying abroad or pursuing full-time research outside of the U.S. must contact their 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 at [log in to unmask] .

 

 

 

                                                   

UConn Global Affairs
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
2011 HILLSIDE ROAD, U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855  |  FAX: 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)