Full-time Registration Requirements and Exceptions for F1 Students
In general, F-1 students must be registered full-time. This is defined as at least:
12 credits each semester for bachelor's degree seeking students
6 credits each semester for master's and doctoral degree seeking students
Only one online class may count towards the minimum credit amount each semester. Students should not register for fewer than the required number of credits or withdraw from a course without first receiving permission from the school DSO. Part-time studies could jeopardize the student’s stay in the U.S. and make a student ineligible for F-1 benefits. Progress in the F1 Student studies To maintain status, an F-1 student is also required to “make progress”. Making progress includes, but is not limited to, enrolling in the proper courses required for degree completion, maintaining satisfactory academic progress, and continually meeting all institutional enrollment requirements. In case an F1 student is academically dismissed or suspended, the SEVIS record will be terminated within 21 days from receiving the note about dismissal/suspension. In case a student is dismissed or suspended, transfer to a different school is strongly recommended, otherwise student has to make plans to leave the US after the record is terminated, there is no grace period after SEVIS termination. F1 Guests Students need to present a copy of their current I20 from their home school prior to enrolling in Walsh College classes. Border Commuters The Border Commuter category/I-20 is an option for students who are citizens of Canada and who attend a U.S. institution within 75 miles of the U.S. and Canada border. Border Commuters may attend full-time or part-time. Students may change from a full-time I-20 to a part-time I-20.
Full time and Part-Time Border Commuters Full-time border commuter students must be enrolled full-time every semester to maintain their F-1 visa status. All border commuters who wish to attend Walsh College will be issued an I-20 for one semester of enrollment. The student must be enrolled in at least one in-person academic course to maintain part-time border commuter visa status. The student must request a renewal of the I-20 every semester before the expiration date on the I-20. If the request is made after the end date, the student falls out of F-1 status and must request a reinstatement of the F-1 status and pay a new SEVIS again.
Border Commuters are subject to the following rules:
Students do not live in the U.S.
Students do not have an F-2 dependent.
Students can work on or off campus through Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Students must renew the I-20 every semester before the expiration date located on page 1 of the I-20. This gives students continuous status which is important for maintaining eligibility for work authorization. If students do not renew the I-20 on time, they must wait until they have three terms of continuous status for work eligibility.
Students can apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) work permit by filing an application with USCIS.
Change of Academic Level If the student completes the current program of study and plans to continue at Walsh College in another program (for example, change from a BBA degree program to an MBA program or MS to MBA), your I-20 must be updated. Change of Major If you change your major (bachelor's degrees) or program (master's degrees), you will be issued a new I-20. Name Change The name on your I-20 should match the name on your passport. If you change any part of your legal name—first/given name, middle name, or last/family name—on your passport, this change should be reflected on your I-20. Note that SEVIS is a separate database from the college database. Health Insurance Walsh College requires all F-1 international students to have health insurance coverage that meets the College’s standards. You must show proof of insurance at the end of the first semester. Students who do not show proof of health insurance will not be allowed to register for classes or continue enrollment. Failure to comply with any of the rules can result in the loss of your F-1 immigration status and possibly the accrual of unlawful presence. The Department of Homeland Security has more information on maintaining status on its website studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/maintaining-status. Loss of F-1 Status: There is a process to apply for reinstatement should you violate the terms of your F-1 status, however it is a very complicated procedure. The college DSO/advisor can assist students with basic information on F-1 reinstatement, but you may need to obtain legal advice from a trusted immigration attorney as well. Information regarding reinstatement can be found on the Department of Homeland Security website studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevis-help-hub/student-records/certificates-of-eligibility/reinstatement-coe-form-i-20.