If a student wants to withdraw from a class or is being encouraged to by an advisor, the CGE should be notified.  Students must be registered for a full load of courses throughout the entirety of the fall and spring semesters.  If dropping a class results in a student being enrolled less than full-time, they will be out of status and no longer legally in the United States. 

In most cases undergraduates must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits and graduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 8 credits.  International students should be taking the same number of credits that domestic students are required to take per semester.

If a student changes their major, they must notify the CGE within 10 days of the change by submitting will the "Major Change SEVIS Update Form."

There are a limited number of reasons that a student may be eligible to study less than full-time.  In such cases the CGE can approve a student for a reduced courseload in their immigration record for one of the following reasons:  

• To complete course of study in current term:

  • Used in student's final term if they can complete the required courses without taking a full course load. In this case, the student must be enrolled in at least one required class.

• Academic Difficulties during student's first term including: 

  • 1. • Initial difficulty with the English language 

       • Initial Difficulty with Reading requirements

       • Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods

  • Academic difficulties due to an improper course level placement

  • Students can get a reduced course load for academic reasons for a total of 1 semester during their program.

  • The student will still need to be enrolled at least half-time (at least 6 credit hours for undergraduate students).

• Illness or Medical Condition

  • 1. • May excuse a student from some or all classes if they provide a letter form a licensed medical professional in the United States:

       • Documentation must recommend whether or not a student should be taking any classes and how long they need a reduced course load

*IMPORTANT: Being approved for a reduced course load for academic reasons has no effect on a student's ability to get a reduced course load for medical reasons, and vice versa. For example, a student can have a reduced course load for academic reasons during their first semester, and then be eligible for a reduced course for medical reasons another semester.*

Employment Options for F-1 International Students

Working in the U.S. can help F-1 students gain experience, meet people, and earn extra money. However, they must follow specific rules to maintain F-1 status. Here’s a quick guide to their options:

On-Campus Employment

F-1 students can work on campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school year and full-time during breaks (summer or winter holidays). Jobs can include roles in the library, dining spaces, or university and department offices.

• No special authorization is needed, but students must stay enrolled full-time and make academic progress.

• Students require a Social Security Number before beginning work, in order to apply for an SSN they first need an offer letter.

Off-Campus Employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

If a student is considering an off-campus internship or practicum, they need authorization. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) lets students gain work experience in their field of study. Generally, students must be enrolled for at least one academic year before being eligible for CPT (unless they're a grad student whose program requires it right away). CPT must be approved by both an academic advisor and the CGE.

Other Off-Campus Employment Options

Beyond CPT, students have two other options for off-campus work:

• Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT allows students to work in their field either during or after their program. Students can apply for 12 months of OPT for each education level (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.). Using Pre-Completion OPT while still in school will reduce their available time for Post-Completion OPT, which is used after graduation. OPT requires CGE and USCIS approval (by application).

• Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT allows students to work in their field of study after graduation for up to 12 months, students with a major on the STEM list are eligible to extend their OPT for an additional two years.

• Severe Economic Hardship Employment Authorization: In rare cases, if a student faces severe, unexpected financial difficulties, they can apply for this authorization from USCIS. They must be in F-1 status for at least one academic year and prove their need for financial support.

Things to Remember

Working without proper authorization is a serious violation of F-1 status. If a student is unsure whether a job is allowed, always tell them to check with the CGE to avoid problems with their immigration status. To learn more about a specific work authorization, you can contact the CGE at cge@simmons.edu.

If a student plans to travel outside the U.S., they will need an up to date Travel Signature from the CGE. 

*NOTE: Travel signatures are valid for 12-months while students are studying full-time and 6 months when students are on Post-Completion Optional Practical Training.

F-1 students may only take 1 online course per semester, as long as they are enrolled in a full-course load. 

If a student is in their last semester, and needs less than a full-time course load to graduate, they cannot take only an online course. The student must be enrolled in an in-person course in addition to the online course. 

If a student needs to extend their program for academic reasons (longer dissertation research, a transfer student who lost credits coming to Simmons, etc) they will need to request a Program Extension to change their Program Completion Date on their I-20.  The CGE requires the student's academic advisor to complete this form: Program Extension Request. 

This form is provided to facilitate the communication of information required by USCIS regulations.  In order to help this student extend the program, we request that you complete this form in full in order for the Center for Global Education to issue an extension in SEVIS to keep the student in F-1 status.