Maintaining your status as either an F-1 or J-1 student is the sole responsibility of the student. The United States Department of Homeland Security (F-1) and the U.S. Department of State (J-1) do not consider ignorance of the law a legitimate reason for failing to obey it. The information below is designed to assist you with your awareness of and compliance with the rules that regulate those in F-1/J-1 status.
All International Students (Fall & Spring semesters):
Full-Time Enrollment Requirements
- All Undergraduate and Kent-Law students must be enrolled/registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester.
- All Graduate students must be enrolled/registered for a minimum of 9 credit hours each semester.
- Graduate students with a teaching or research assistantship may register for a minimum of 6 credit hours to maintain their status.
Online Courses
ALL F-1 and J-1 Students are permitted to take ONLY ONE online class counting toward full time eligibility each semester.
Reduced Course Load
If you are registering for less than full time and you meet the requirements for a Reduced Course Load, you must submit a request within the ISSS portal.
Illinois Tech allows graduate students who have permission from their academic department to enroll in the following courses that are considered full-time (do not require an RCL request):
- Graduate students enrolled in research (course numbers 591, 691, 594, 597).
Add/Drop Deadline
There is a deadline for all international students to add or drop a class each semester, and the date is available on the Registrar's Office's website here. It is VERY important that you're enrolled fully by this date. Failure to be enrolled full-time by this deadline may negatively impact your immigration status.
The Office of Global Services is required to report your enrollment information to the Department of Homeland Security each semester, therefore, it is important that you enroll appropriately.