In order to maintain F1 status, students must:
Pursue a full course of study
- Minimum Full Time Enrollment Requirements (Fall and Spring)
- Undergraduate Students: 12 credits
- Graduate Students without assistantship: 9 credits
- Graduate Students with assistantship: 6 credits
- Use of Online or Distance Courses
According to U.S. Federal Regulations, a maximum of one online or distance course (3 credits) may be applied toward the full time enrollment requirements each semester.
- Eligibility for a Reduced Course Load
In a few rare cases, reduced enrollment may be authorized one time. You must receive written authorization from the International Student Advisor before you drop below full time. If you fail to do this, you will be out of status and will have to apply for Reinstatement.
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Make normal progress toward completing course of study
- Program End Date
- The program end date listed on line 5 of your form I-20 is the last day you are eligible to pursue your program of study. This date is determined by the university estimate of how long your particular program should take.
- Programs may be extended for legitimate academic or medical reasons. You must file for an extension with the International Student Advisor before the end date listed on your form I-20.
- Minimum Academic Requirements
- You must maintain the minimum grade point average (GPA) as indicated in the UND Academic Catalog:
- Undergraduate Students: 2.0 GPA
- Graduate Students: 3.0 GPA
- Individual programs or departments may have higher requirements for remaining in the program.
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Keep your I-20 valid
- Extending Program
- The program end date listed on line 5 of your form I-20 is the last day you are eligible to pursue your program of study. This date is determined by the university estimate of how long your particular program should take.
- Programs may be extended for legitimate academic or medical reasons. You must file for an extension with the International Student Advisor before the end date listed on your form I-20.
- To apply for an extension, you will need to complete a Request for Extension of Program form with your academic advisor and submit that to the International Student Advisor. You will also need to provide current financial support documentation.
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- Changing Educational Level or Program of Study
- All changes of degree program require a new I-20 for the new program. This includes:
- Moving to a higher degree level (e.g. Bachelor's to Master's)
- Moving to a lower degree level (e.g. PhD to Master's)
- Moving to a new program at the same degree level (e.g. Master's in Engineering to Master's in Computer Science)
- When you move to a new degree program, you will need a new form I-20 for that program. This process must be completed before the first day of your new program.
- In addition to completing all university requirements for applying for admission into the new program, you will also need to submit new financial certification
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- Undergraduate students who change their major will need a new I-20 to show the correct major
- Change your major with the appropriate school or college on campus
- Verify that the change appears correctly in your Campus Connection Record
- Meet with an International Student Advisor to revise your I-20
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- Transferring Schools
- If you will be moving to a new U.S. school, then you will need to arrange to have your SEVIS record transferred to the new school. The new school will not be able to issue you a new I-20 until your SEVIS record is released from UND.
- To arrange to have your SEVIS record released, you should meet with an International Student Advisor at least three weeks before you wish to transfer. Before you come to your appointment, find out if your new school has a SEVIS transfer form that you will need to fill out. If they do, you should bring this form to your appointment with the International Student Advisor.
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- Changes in Financial Situation
- If your source of financial support changes significantly, you should meet with an International Student Advisor to revise the financial information on your I-20.
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Report Address Changes
- If you move, you must report your change of address to the International Student Advisor within 10 days of the change. You may notify the International Student Advisor of address changes by email or by completing the Change of Address Form.
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Keep your passport valid
You are required to keep a valid passport at all times. If your passport will be expiring within the next 6 months, you should contact the nearest embassy or consulate for your country to determine the requirements for renewing your passport. You can find the website for your embassy at http://www.embassy.org.
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Employment Eligibility
- On-Campus Employment
- You may work a maximum of 20 hours a week on campus during the school year.
- During winter and summer vacation periods you may work up to 40 hours per week on campus.
- Off-Campus Employment
- Off campus employment is not allowed except in the following cases:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)-Employment for academic credit or to fulfill a requirement in your degree program
- Optional Practical Training (OPT)-Employment directly related to your program of study. Academic credit is not required.
- Severe Economic Hardship (SEH)-Employment authorization for students who demonstrate significant financial hardship due to circumstances that can be documented as unexpected and beyond the student's control.
- All types of off campus employment require special, advance authorization.
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