Spring semester has begun, and ISSS would like to remind all enrolled international students that you must study on a full–time basis every semester. Full–time means you are taking a minimum of:
· Bachelor’s – 12 credits/semester
· Master’s/PhD, with graduate assistantship – 6 credits/semester
· Master’s/PhD, no graduate assistantship – 9 credits/per semester, or a 3-credit GRAD course considered full time
· JD students – 12 credits/semester
· UCAELI – Participate full time in your intensive English program, 22 hours/week.
Reduced Course Load for Last Semester
If you will graduate in May, and you need fewer than full–time credits to complete your program, you may request permission from ISSS to take a Reduced Course Load for Last Semester. Please submit this request by February 1. Link to application information and form: https://isss.uconn.edu/part-time-study/#reducedcourseloadforlastsemester
Can my classes be entirely online?
If you were an active student on an F-1/J-1 visa as of March 9, 2020, with the same SEVIS number listed on your current I-20/DS-2019, then you may study entirely online.
If you arrived in the U.S. after March 9, 2020, or were here March 9, departed, and returned with a different SEVIS ID number, then your in-person engagement is required, and you should have at least one class listed as in-person, hybrid, or by arrangement.
You can review your SEVIS ID number on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 (the long number that starts with the letter N). Remember all classes will be online for the first two weeks of the semester – even students who are required to have at least one in-person class can participate remotely the first two weeks.
Check Your I-20/DS-2019 Program End Date
In addition to taking the full–time amount of credits, remember you must also complete all program requirements by the program end date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019 form, and plan your courses accordingly. If your I-20/DS-2019 program end date falls within the Spring 2021 semester and you will not be able to complete this semester, you must request an extension of your program end date. ISSS cannot extend your program end date after it has passed, and you will be out of status if you do not complete, and also do not extend your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date.
Report any address changes
Remember to tell ISSS your new U.S. address, if it changed since you last reported your address, by following these instructions. Remember you must report any address changes within 10 days after you move. International students are also required to report any changes to your home country address within 10 days.
For more information, contact: ISSS at international@uconn.edu