Full-time enrollment
F-1 and J-1 students at WashU are required to enroll in a full-time course of study. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defines a full‑time course of study for undergraduate students as 12 semester credits.
For graduate students, full‑time course of study is generally 9 or more units/credit hours. However, some graduate or professional programs at WashU defines full‑time status in their own way. For questions, connect with your academic department or school through the Office of the University Registrar.
DHS requires the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) to report the student’s status every semester. This includes if and when a student drops below the required full-time course load.
Online coursework
For both graduate and undergraduate students, only one course or 3 credits of online/remote coursework may count toward the full-time enrollment requirement. The one course limit is for every academic term in which students are expected to be enrolled full-time.
If you enroll in additional credit hours beyond full-time minimum, those additional hours can be online, hybrid, or in-person. See below for examples:
| Undergraduate student enrolled in 12 credit hours | Maximum 3 credits online |
| Undergraduate student enrolled in 15 credit hours | Maximum 6 credits online |
| Graduate student enrolled in 9 credit hours | Maximum 3 credits online |
| Graduate student enrolled in 12 credit hours | Maximum 6 credits online |
Hybrid courses with required on-campus components do not count towards this limitation. Course modality at WashU is determined by the Office of the University Registrar.
If you are approved for a reduced course load (see below), you cannot be enrolled in only online/remote coursework.
Reduced Course Load (RCL)
You must receive approval from OISS before dropping below a full‑time course load. If you fail to receive this permission, you are in status violation. To request an RCL from OISS, submit a Reduced Course Load Authorization request in MyOISS. Submit your request up to two weeks before the start of classes and no later than the add/drop deadline for the semester.
WashU students who take more than 180 days of 0 credit reduced course load in a calendar year have an enrollment status of “withdrawn”. This may impact financial aid or loans.
DHS allows individuals to be less than full‑time in certain situations:
You are considered to be maintaining your immigration status during a vacation period between semesters if you are eligible and intend to enroll for the next semester. For example, you may take a vacation over the summer break (June ‑ August) if you are eligible and intend to enroll in the following fall semester. In this case, you will still be in active status in SEVIS.
If summer is your first or last semester of enrollment, you are expected to enroll full-time or be authorized by for a Reduced Course Load.
OISS must authorize all valid academic reasons for RCL prior to course drops/withdrawal. Reasons include:
- Initial difficulties with the English language (only during first semester)
- Initial difficulties with reading requirements (only during first semester)
- Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods (only during first semester)
- Improper course-level placement
You must provide OISS with approval of part-time enrollment status from your dean, registrar or academic adviser. The Reduced Course Load Authorization request in MyOISS indicates how to find the academic or faculty adviser who will need to approve the request.
F-1 and J-1 students may drop below full‑time or completely withdraw from coursework for medical reasons. You must be able to resume a full‑time course of study upon recovery. You are limited to 12 months of medical RCL per academic level. You must work with WashU Cares (for Danforth students) or Student Health Services (for Med School students) to initiate a recommendation from a licensed medical doctor, licensed psychologist, or a licensed clinical psychologist. Note that a medical RCL for immigration purposes is considered a medical leave of absence by WashU administrative and academic offices if you are enrolled in zero coursework for a given semester.
You will need to initiate the process for a recommendation with WashU Cares or WUSM’s Student Health Services, and submit the Reduced Course Load Authorization request in MyOISS. Upon approval, your SEVIS record will be updated and remain active, and you continue to maintain your status.
Students who are in their final semester and completing all course requirements in the current semester may take less than a full‑time course load if a full-time enrollment is not required to complete the course of study during the current semester. OISS must authorize you for the RCL prior to the end of the add/drop period.
Upon approval and if applicable, OISS will shorten your I-20 to the end of the current semester. At this point, you would no longer be eligible for an extension of your I-20. Note: students who fail a course may be eligible for an extension and a second RCL.
EFFECT ON TUITION, INSURANCE, AND UNIVERSITY BENEFITS
Since policies differ by program, you need to ask your department whether you will have to pay full tuition during your RCL final semester. WashU will enroll you in university health insurance even when you authorized as part-time. However, as a part-time student you might not be eligible for a U-Pass or access to the Athletic Center. Again, it is best to check with your school/program about these benefits.
Leave of absence
You may wish to withdraw from WashU for one semester or more if you are not eligible for an RCL. Your SEVIS record is not active during a leave of absence. Contact your OISS adviser if you wish to discuss a possible leave and the implications for your return to WashU.
To request a leave, you must submit the following:
- Time Away Request through the Office of the University Registrar
- Leave of Absence/Withdrawal (Non-Medical) request in MyOISS
A leave of absence requires you to leave the US within 15 days of your request submission. Your SEVIS record will be terminated for an Authorized Early Withdrawal. Your current I-20 will no longer be valid for entry to the U.S.
Returning to WashU if you requested leave after the start of a semester:
At least 30 days before you intend to return, reach out to your OISS adviser. You should plan for additional time if your F-1 visa has expired. You will be required to provide new financial documentation to request an I-20.
Your previous time in F-1 status will no longer count towards the minimum time required for CPT or Post-Completion OPT. You will need to complete one academic year (2 semesters) to be eligible.
You will receive an initial I-20 with a new SEVIS ID to return to the U.S.
Returning to WashU if you requested leave before the start of a semester:
At least 30 days before you intend to return, reach out to your OISS adviser and ask for “Reactivation” of your SEVIS record. You are only eligible for Reactivation if you:
- are returning within five months
- are returning to the same program of study.
- can provide new financial documentation.
- requested leave at the end of one semester and left the U.S. before the start of the next semester.
- have an itinerary and can prove you will return to the U.S. before the start of your returning semester.
Reactivation of your SEVIS record allows you to use your previous time in F-1 status to count towards CPT or Post-Completion OPT.
You will receive a new I-20 with the same SEVIS ID as your previous I-20 to return to the US.
Study or research abroad
Each semester, you must be on WashU’s campus taking a full course of coursework. However, if you will be outside of the country and continuing your program in the following scenarios, submit a Study or Research Abroad request in MyOISS before the start of the semester:
- studying on an approved WashU program
- conducting research in a lab and/or with a WashU faculty member
- completing your thesis/dissertation
Your academic adviser, faculty adviser, or PI will need to approve your Study or Research Abroad request. OISS will then update your SEVIS record, which will remain active for the approved time you are abroad. Be sure to keep your address and contact information up-to-date.
International students are generally not permitted to be outside the U.S. for more than five months. The five month rule refers to the termination of a student’s record in SEVIS based on the student being away from classes or not in status. It excludes those participating in authorized study or research abroad. This is why you must receive authorization from both your academic department and OISS before studying or conducting research abroad.
It is possible that a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer will scrutinize your entry if you have been away from more than five months, even if approved. To lower your risk upon re-entry, we recommend that you return to the U.S. within the five month period. If you cannot do so, be sure to travel with appropriate documentation that indicates your study or research abroad approval.