Dear International Students:

 

Fall 2017 semester is almost here! Please remember that all F-1 and J-1 visa international students must study on a full time basis every semester. Full time means you are taking a minimum of:

 

•     Bachelor’s degree- 12 credits/semester

•     Master’s/PhD students, with graduate assistantship - 6 credits/semester

•     Master’s/PhD without graduate assistantship - 9 credits/per semester

·         Exchange and non-degree students: 12 credits (1000-4000 level courses) or 9 credits (5000- 6000 level courses)/semester

•     JD students - 12 credits/semester

·         UCAELI – 22 hours/week.

 

Some international students may be eligible to take less than a full time course load, but you need ISSS approval to do so. You might be eligible to enroll on a part-time basis for the following reasons: 

 

REASON: LAST SEMESTER IN PROGRAM

Deadline to submit request: Monday, August 28^th

If you will complete your program in fall semester, and you do not require full time enrollment to complete your program, you may register for only those credits you need. 

 

How to apply: Please complete the Reduced Course Load form with your academic advisor and submit to ISSS before the start of fall semester (August 28).  If you will finalize your schedule during add/drop week, then wait until your schedule is set before you submit the form to ISSS (final deadline to submit, September 11).  Storrs campus students should submit the form in person to ISSS. UConn Stamford campus students should submit the form directly to Lulu Dong in room 301F. All other students may email their forms to [log in to unmask]. After we process your application, you will receive a new Form I-20/DS-2019 with updated program end date (if applicable).

 

This option is only for students enrolled in degree programs- it is not available for exchange, non-degree or UCAELI students.

 

REASON: ACADEMIC DIFFICULTY

Earliest date to request: Tuesday, September 5  

All students who are not in their final semester must enroll and attend classes on a full time basis from the start of each semester. If you find that you are having difficulties keeping up with a full time course load, you may speak to an ISSS advisor about the possibility to enroll on a part-time basis.  You may enroll on a part-time basis one time per degree level, if you are experiencing academic difficulties for one of the following reasons: 1) Initial difficulties with English language 2) Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods 3) Reading requirements 4) Improper course level placement.

 

How to apply:  Visit ISSS during walk-in advising hours to discuss your situation with an advisor, and find out if you qualify to enroll part-time for academic difficulties. Students at the Stamford and Hartford campuses should visit the ISSS Stamford and ISSS Hartford offices during their advising hours. Generally, only students in the first year of their program will qualify for a Reduced Course Load for academic difficulties. If you drop below full time before getting ISSS approval, this is a violation of your student visa, and your SEVIS record will be terminated.

 

REASON: MEDICAL CONDITION/ILLNESS – PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH

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. To qualify, you must have medical documentation confirming your condition from a licensed medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathy (DO), or licensed clinical psychologist (including PhD or Psy.D).

 

How to apply: Make an appointment with your ISSS advisor if you are considering, or need, to take a reduced course load for medical reasons. To find the international advisor for students in your program, visit the ISSS Staff webpage. You can schedule an appointment online by visiting https://sandbox.uconn.edu/. When medically possible, you must obtain Reduced Course Load authorization from ISSS before you stop attending or withdraw from classes – otherwise this is a violation of your student visa, and your SEVIS record will be terminated. In cases where students are hospitalized/medically incapable of submitting an advance request, this requirement is waived.

 

LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

If you will take a leave of absence (LOA) for the Fall 2017 semester, you must contact your international advisor at ISSS as soon as possible to discuss the impact on your student visa. Visit the ISSS Staff webpage to find the designated international advisor for students in your program.

 

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 Fall 17 semester must contact their international advisor at ISSS as soon as possible to discuss the impact on your F-1/J-1 visa.  Visit the ISSS Staff webpage to find the designated international advisor for students in your program. To find out who your international advisor is, see: http://isss.uconn.edu/about/staff-directory/

 

Visit the ISSS webpage for more information on study requirements and reduced course load eligibility.  Please contact ISSS if you have any questions at [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]  
http://isss.uconn.edu  | www.facebook.com/UConnISSS | 
ISSS Walk-In Advising:  MON - FRI: 1:00  - 3:30 pm