Maintaining Lawful F-1 or J-1 Status:
International Students in F-1 or J-1 Student Status Must Satisfy These Requirements to Remain in Lawful Status:

F-1 Students

• Have a valid passport and Form I-20 at all times.
• Maintain continuous full-time enrollment during the Fall and Spring Semesters.
• Limit on-campus employment (including teaching and research assistantships) to 20 hours per week while school is in session.
• Purchase and maintain University student medical insurance.
  
  J-1 Students
• Have a valid passport and Form DS-2019 at all times.
• Maintain continuous full-time enrollment during the Fall and Spring Semesters.
• Limit on campus employment (including teaching and research assistantships) to 20 hours per week while school is in session.  Unlike F-1 students, J-1 students must obtain employment authorization in advance and in writing from their Program Sponsor. If North Carolina State University issued the student's DS-2019 then NC State University is the program sponsor.
• Purchase and maintain University student medical health insurance for self and any dependents (if North Carolina State University is the program sponsor).  If other J-1 Program Sponsor, student must purchase and maintain medical health insurance for self and any dependents.  The health insurance policy must meet the J-1 federal requirements for the Exchange Visitor and dependents: $50,000 minimum per accident or illness; $500 maximum deductible per illness, $10,000 provision for medical evacuation; $7,500 maximum repatriation coverage.

 
International students who fail to maintain lawful nonimmigrant status are ineligible for any immigration benefits such as employment or change of status. If you violate the terms of your nonimmigrant status, you are not allowed to work - including assistantships. It may be possible to enroll for less than full-time studies under certain circumstances (e.g. a medical illness that prevents full-time studying or your final semester when all other course requirements have been met). You and/or your adviser should consult with an OIS adviser to discuss any variation of full-time enrollment, employment over 20 hours per week, violation of nonimmigrant status, etc., including possible consequences and plans of action.

Exceptions to Full Course of Study:

•  International students are not required by immigration regulations to be registered during the summer unless a Summer session is your first (or last) semester of enrollment or you are otherwise required to enroll to meet Graduate School policy.

•  Undergraduate students who are in their final semester of study may take less than 12 credit hours if the lesser course credits are all they need in order to graduate at the end of that final semester and still be considered "full-time." http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/pols_regs/REG205.00.8.php

• Graduate students may be eligible to take fewer than 9 credit hours during the semester toward the end of their program and be considered full-time if they meet certain conditions. Students should consult their Director of Graduate Programs or the Graduate School web site for details. The Graduate School and University policy determine full-time enrollment.  http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/admission_grad/REG02.15.5.php

• International graduate students not supported by the Graduate Student Support Plan may be eligible for a reduced course load during their first semester if they are experiencing significant academic difficulty due to improper advising and course placement or English language difficulty. Students must meet with an OIS advisor for SEVIS authorization and obtain permission from their Director of Graduate Programs before dropping below full-time.

• Students who encounter unforeseen medical conditions that prevent them from engaging in full-time studies may be eligible to take a "Reduced Course Load" and maintain their nonimmigrant status although they carry part-time status for the semester. Students with medical conditions must complete and submit a Reduced Course load Form and a health care provider's certification to an OIS advisor BEFORE dropping below full-time so it can be authorized in SEVIS.

• Students who plan to withdraw or take a leave of absence from the University or to be outside the United States for one or more semester(s) must also consult with an OIS adviser as to how these plans will affect their current and future immigration status.

• International students who have been authorized in SEVIS for a full-time Co-op are considered to be enrolled full-time for immigration purposes even though academic credit is not granted for the cooperative education experience.