International Programs
F1 Students - Maintaining Status
Benefits of F1 Status:
Your benefits include the ability to:
- Change to another immigration status;
- Change degree level;
- Change program of study;
- Transfer to another College or University;
- Extend your duration of stay, if more time is needed to complete your degree;
- Request dependents to join or accompany you;
- Obtain employment (under restricted conditions, and only with specific approval);
- Travel outside the U.S. and reenter to continue study.
Eligibility for Benefits:
In order to be eligible for the benefits of your status, you must remain in good legal standing in the United States. To remain legally in the US, you must:
Maintain Key Documents: Always make sure your documents are in order and accurate, especially prior to travel outside the US, and maintain the validity of your passport. If you need assistance in extending your passport, the International Student Advisor can give you the address and phone number of your nearest consulate.
Obey Department of Homeland Security Regulations: Always follow the Immigration rules and regulations that apply to your status. For example: you must have the appropriate authorization for any work (paid or unpaid) that you do, and you must not be employed for more than 20 hours a week while classes are in session unless you have special authorization.
Report Changes: Always update the International Student Advisor about changes in your official papers, address, phone number, program of study, admission to another degree program or change of degree level, financial support, health insurance, or marital status.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In case of academic warning, disqualification or suspension, consult the International Student Advisor immediately!
Be Enrolled as a Full-Time Student: International students must be enrolled as full-time students at Southern Oregon University as defined below.
Full-Time Status:
Undergraduate Students:
- A minimum of 12 credit hours successfully completed per term. Only one online or distance education course or a total of three online credits (whichever is greater) may be counted toward your full time status.
Graduate Students:
- A minimum of 9 graduate credit hours successfully completed per term. Only one online or distance education course or a total of three online credits (whichever is greater) may be counted toward your full-time status. Graduate students who wish to take an undergraduate class should speak with the International Student Advisor before doing so as this could jeopardize their immigration status.
Post-baccalaureate Students:
- A minimum of 12 credit hours if pursuing a second undergraduate degree.
- A minimum of 9 graduate credit hours if pursuing a graduate degree, at least three of which must be at the graduate level.
- If you choose to WITHDRAW from a course or change the grading option to AUDIT, you MUST consult an international student advisor at ISSS prior to doing so. Reducing your credit load to less than full time may place you out of status with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Under the January 1, 2003 regulations, failure to maintain the proper number of credits may also result in your having to abandon your studies and return to your home country.
- Do not take too many classes. Give yourself time to adjust to the U.S., to Southern Oregon University, and to your classes. Taking too many classes can result in low grades and high stress. It may also endanger your academic standing and admission to professional programs.
- Listen to your academic and international advisors. Advisors are trained to evaluate students' needs and abilities. Following their advice can mean the difference between a good grade point average and a poor or inconsistent one.
The following marks may affect your visa status:
- AU Audit - You may not audit classes as part of your full-time enrollment.
- F Fail or NP No Pass - If you receive more than one F or NP in a term, it may affect your status.
- I Incomplete - An Incomplete may affect your status.
- NC No Credit - A NC may affect your status, depending on the circumstances.
- W Withdraw - You may not withdraw below full-time enrollment.
- X No Basis for a Grade - An X will always affect your visa status and may jeopardize your full-time enrollment.
If you know you will receive any of the above grades, please make an apointment to see the International Student Advisor as soon as possible.
In order to maintain your student status with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, you need to complete the minimum required number of credit hours. This means that if you are an undergraduate, you must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credit hours, and if you are a graduate student you must successfully complete a minimum of 9 credit hours.
Underenrollment is a serious immigration issue and should not be taken lightly. If you have any questions regarding your class credit hours and your immigration status, contact the International Student Advisor.
Students who need to return to their home country and/or leave their program early, should speak to the International Student Advisor immediately. A student who withdraws from classes without permission from OIP must leave the United States immediately. These students are considered to have violated their status; consequently, their SEVIS record is terminated for "withdrawal without approval." Students who receive permission have 15 days in which to depart the country. These students maintain their status, and their SEVIS record reflects an "authorized withdrawal."
