Maintaining Your Status

Maintain full-time enrollment each academic term. This means at least 12 credit hours for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for graduate students for the fall and spring semesters. Enrollment in summer semester is not required unless it is your first semester. If summer is your first semester, you must enroll in at least 8 credit hours as an undergraduate and 6 credit hours as a graduate student. If you will not be full time for your final semester, you must request approval for a Reduced Course Load (link to form). Unauthorized drops or withdrawals after the beginning of the semester may result in a loss of status. 

Only one online or distance education course (or 3 credit hours) per term may count toward the full course of study requirement. Ensure the majority of your classes are conducted face-to-face. Blended courses are counted as a face-to-face course. Hybrid courses are counted as distance education courses since more than 50% of instructional activity takes place when the student and instructor are in separate physical locations.After your full-time requirement is met, you may add additional online classes. However, please be aware that if you need to drop a course, you will have to maintain the same face-to-face/online course ratio to maintain status. If you are only taking one course in your final semester, the course must be face-to-face.

Keep your Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," valid and up-to-date. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months into the future. You are responsible for keeping all of your own documents.  

The Texas A&M University System policy requires all F-1 and J-1 students to maintain health insurance at all times. Students are automatically enrolled in the System Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP) so they do not violate their visa status or TAMU System Regulations. An International Insurance Fee will be added to your bill. The fee for fall covers September 1-December 31. The fees for spring and summer are billed together and covers January 1-August 31. If you are a new student starting in the fall, you will also be billed for coverage August 1-31. 

Do not engage in unauthorized employment. On-campus employment is generally permitted up to 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time during scheduled breaks if you are not enrolled in classes. You may be eligible to work off campus during approved Curricular Practical Training. Consult with your DSO prior to your job search. Working off campus without prior authorization is a violation of your status and will result in termination of your status.

Inform your DSO within 10 days of any changes to your personal information, such as your U.S. address, phone number, or legal name. You must also report any changes to your academic status or program of study. This ensures your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record remains accurate. Your U.S. address in SEVIS and your Local Address in SAIL must match. 

If you need to drop below a full course of study due to valid academic or medical reasons, seek approval from your DSO before making any changes. Unauthorized reductions can jeopardize your status. 

Before leaving the U.S. for temporary international travel, ensure your Form I-20 is signed for travel by your DSO, and verify that your visa and passport are valid for re-entry. Travel signatures are valid for one year for students and six months for students on OPT.

After completing your program, you have a 60-day grace period to either depart the U.S., apply for OPT,transfer to another SEVP-certified school, or apply for a change of status. If you are leaving your program early for Authorized Early Withdrawal, you have 15 days to depart. Plan accordingly to maintain compliance.

If you require more time to complete your program or wish to change your academic level or major, consult your DSO well in advance to process the necessary extensions or updates to your SEVIS record. 

For any uncertainties or questions regarding your status, promptly consult your DSO. They are your primary resource for navigating F-1 regulations and maintaining compliance.