Enrollment
International students in F-1 or J-1 status are required to maintain full-time enrollment throughout their program
and until they have completed their program. Students are also required to maintain good academic standing and make normal academic progress toward
their degree objective. Full-time enrollment at NC State University is normally defined as 12 or more credit hours for undergraduate students and a
minimum of 9 hours per semester for graduate students. One (3 credit) on-line or distance education course may be used for each semester to satisfy full-time enrollment requirements detailed above. Students who will take only one course in a semester are not permitted to take that course through on-line or distance education.
There are certain exceptions to these course-loads and a few circumstances when part-time
enrollment can be authorized in SEVIS. Unauthorized drops in course-load, withdrawals, or part-time enrollment is a reportable violation and OIS is
required by law to terminate the SEVIS record of students who fail to maintain full-time enrollment, so any deviation, question, or problem regarding
full-time enrollment should be discussed beforehand with an OIS advisor.
Students are not required by immigration regulations to enroll in the summer session if they were full-time students in the spring and will continue their enrollment in the fall. Students may choose to study, return home, or work on campus (or off-campus if eligible and if authorized in advance) in the summer. Students authorized for full-time CPT may also be exempted from enrolling in classes without jeopardizing their nonimmigrant status, but should check with their DGP or advisor first.
Exceptions
It MAY be possible, necessary, and appropriate to drop below full-time in the following cases:
a) a medical condition that prevents full-time course enrollment, attendance, and participation;
b) extreme first semester difficulty due to improper advisement or unfamiliarity with the academic system or English language; or
c) final semester when fewer course credits are needed to complete the final semester.
If you are experiencing a medical or psychological condition that requires you to drop below full-time, please complete the Reduced Course Load (RCL) Form and attach your health care provider's memo recommending part-time studies, then submit them to OIS through the OIS HelpDesk system. If you have difficulty arranging this, a friend or academic advisor may help you or you can contact OIS. If you are experiencing first semester difficulties, please complete the RCL form and ask your academic advisor to write a memo indicating improper course placement or advising, insufficient pre-requisites for your program, limited English ability, or unfamiliarity with US academic standards. Final semester students who will without a doubt complete their program with fewer than a full course load maybe eligible for an RCL if their advisor/DGP recommends it.
Students approved for an RCL for any of the above exceptions and who will take only one course in a semester are not permitted to take that course through on-line or distance education.