Spring 2017 semester has begun, 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
* UCAELI - attend all classes in the full time program, unless you have an excused absence
Any student registering less than full-time must submit a "Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request Form" to ISSS before dropping below full time. 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 , or can be picked up at the ISSS office in Storrs.
Reason to be less than full time: FINAL SEMESTER
Deadline to submit request: Monday, January 30th
If requesting a reduced course load because you are in your final term, and you need less than full-time registration to complete your degree, the deadline for form submission is Monday, January 30th, or the end of the add/drop period. You must complete Section A and your academic advisor must complete Section C before submitting the form to ISSS. Section B does not need to be completed. Students who are not at Storrs campus can email the completed form to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> . If approved, you will receive a copy of the form (with ISSS approval indicated) and a new Form I-20/DS-2019 with updated program end date (if applicable).
If you will complete your program in the summer, you may not take a Reduced Course Load in Spring (it is not your final term.
This option Is only for students enrolled in degree programs.
Reason to be less than full time: ACADEMIC DIFFICULTY
Earliest date to submit request: Monday, January 23rd
Deadline to submit: See academic calendar course withdrawal deadlines: http://registrar.uconn.edu/academic-calendar/spring-2017/
You must register and attend classes full-time before requesting a reduced course load for academic difficulty, and you may not stop attending class/withdraw from class until you have received approval of your Reduced Course Load form. After completing Section A, you must come see your ISSS Advisor to complete Section B BEFORE asking your academic advisor complete SECTION C.
Reason to be less than full time: MEDICAL
Deadline: Ongoing
If you are seeing a doctor for physical or mental health issues, and you are unable to manage a full course of study, you might be eligible to reduce your course load or withdraw from courses for a temporary period of time. Please contact your ISSS advisor if you need to do this during SP 17 semester. To find out who your international advisor is, see: http://isss.uconn.edu/about/staff-directory/
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 as an international student before authorization is granted. Your SEVIS record will be subject to termination.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE:
If you will take a leave of absence (LOA) for the Spring 2017 semester, you must contact your international advisor at ISSS as soon as possible to discuss the impact on your student visa. To find out who your international advisor is, see: http://isss.uconn.edu/about/staff-directory/
STUDY / RESEARCH ABROAD:
All F-1 and J-1 international students who will study abroad or pursue full-time research outside of the U.S. during SP 17 semester must contact their international advisor at ISSS as soon as possible to discuss the impact on your F-1/J-1 visa, if you have not been counseled on this already. To find out who your international advisor is, see: http://isss.uconn.edu/about/staff-directory/
Please contact ISSS if you have any questions at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> .
Rae Alexander
Director
International Student and Scholar Services
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
GLOBAL AFFAIRS
2011 Hillside Road, U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855 | EMAIL: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
http://isss.uconn.edu<http://isss.uconn.edu/> | www.facebook.com/UConnISSS<http://www.facebook.com/UConnISSS> | ISSS Walk-In Advising:
MON: 1 - 3:30 pm | TUES: 9 - 11:30 am | WED: 9 - 11:30 am | THURS: 9 - 11:30 am | FRI: 1 - 3:30 pm
