An international student must be enrolled in a full course of study to maintain their status.

• Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester
• Graduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester

Rules for Online Courses

International students may enroll in one 3-credit online course to be counted towards the minimum required credits per semester. They can take additional online courses, but only 3 credits per semester will count towards their full-time status for their F-1 visa.

Some examples of valid and acceptable enrollments for an international undergrad on an F-1 visa:

To maintain status, an international student must be enrolled in a full course of study. However, if a student needs to drop below a full course load, they must contact the ISSS Office to request a reduced course load (RCL).

Reasons for a RCL include:

• Illness or medical condition
• Difficulty with English language
• Difficulty with reading requirements
• Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods
• Improper course level placement
• Final semester in the program of study
• Part-time commuter student

8 CFR 214.2(f)(f)(iii)

(iii) Reduced course load. The designated school official may allow an F-1 student to engage in less than a full course of study as provided in this paragraph (f)(6)(iii). Except as otherwise noted, a reduced course load must consist of at least six semester or quarter hours, or half the clock hours required for a full course of study. A student who drops below a full course of study without the prior approval of the DSO will be considered out of status. On-campus employment pursuant to the terms of a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship is deemed to be part of the academic program of a student otherwise taking a full course of study.

8 CFR 214.2(f)(f)(iii)(A)

(A) Academic difficulties. The DSO may authorize a reduced course load on account of a student's initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements, unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods, or improper course level placement. The student must resume a full course of study at the next available term, session, or semester, excluding a summer session, in order to maintain student status. A student previously authorized to drop below a full course of study due to academic difficulties is not eligible for a second authorization by the DSO due to academic difficulties while pursuing a course of study at that program level. A student authorized to drop below a full course of study for academic difficulties while pursuing a course of study at a particular program level may still be authorized for a reduced course load due to an illness medical condition as provided for in paragraph (B) of this section.

8 CFR 214.2(f)(f)(iii)(B)

(B) Medical conditions. The DSO may authorize a reduced course load (or, if necessary, no course load) due to a student's temporary illness or medical condition for a period of time not to exceed an aggregate of 12 months while the student is pursuing a course of study at a particular program level. In order to authorize a reduced course load based upon a medical condition, the student must provide medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist, to the DSO to substantiate the illness or medical condition. The student must provide current medical documentation and the DSO must reauthorize the drop below full course of study each new term, session, or semester. A student previously authorized to drop below a full course of study due to illness or medical condition for an aggregate of 12 months may not be authorized by a DSO to reduce his or her course load on subsequent occasions while pursuing a course of study at the same program level. A student may be authorized to reduce course load for a reason of illness or medical condition on more than one occasion while pursuing a course of study, so long as the aggregate period of that authorization does not exceed 12 months.

8 CFR 214.2(f)(f)(iii)(C)

(C) Completion of course of study. The DSO may authorize a reduced course load in the student's final term, semester, or session if fewer courses are needed to complete the course of study. If the student is not required to take any additional courses to satisfy the requirements for completion, but continues to be enrolled for administrative purposes, the student is considered to have completed the course of study and must take action to maintain status. Such action may include application for change of status or departure from the U.S.

Be aware of the program dates on page one of the Form I-20. 

Contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) to either:

• Extend the program end date
• Shorten the program end date

A student must make this request before the program end date to maintain status.

F-1 students are permitted to travel during their time of study in the United States.

To prepare for travel, a student must have:

• Student visa
• Passport
• Form I-20
• Employment Authorization Document* (if applicable)

Your Form I-20 must have a PDSO/DSO signature (page two) within 1 year.

You may not leave the United States for more than 5 months.

If you do not have all your documents or if you have a SEVIS status issue, a CBP officer may issue you an I-515A. This grants you temporary entry to the United States for 30 days until you submit the proper documentation to SEVP.

Re-Entry on Post-Completion OPT

The following instructions are for students' re-entry during Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) when an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) has already been issued. Regulations allow for reentry to the U.S. "to resume employment after a temporary absence." The ISSS Office cautions students attempting to reenter the United States while on post-completion Optional Practical Training who have not yet secured jobs. 

• Students may be questioned at the Port of Entry on whether or not they are returning to the U.S. to continue or start a job.  
• The longer a student has had an EAD card but has not been working, the greater the likelihood he or she might encounter difficulties at reentry. 
• In all cases, if you are not employed, you should be prepared to explain the substantial steps you have been taking to secure employment. 
• SEVP has further clarified that the student need not have already commenced actual employment before leaving the U.S., as long as the student has a job offer to return to. 
• This policy concerns eligibility to reenter the United States. It does not mean that not having a job offer at the time the EAD is approved is a status violation. It is assumed, though, that a student with approved OPT who does not depart the U.S. must be engaged in a diligent search for employment. 
• The best general guidance is for you to have both an EAD card for post-completion OPT and a job or job offer in order to avoid experiencing difficulty reentering the United States. If either of these two conditions is missing, then you are assuming risk. 
• If you are on OPT and plan on traveling, be sure to request a travel signature from the ISSS Office. During OPT, travel signatures must be less than six months old at the time of reentry.

You will need to obtain a visa if your visa has expired or will expire before your return to the U.S., or if you changed your status within the U.S. If you need a new visa, it is strongly recommended that you visit the ISSS office before traveling, as it may be difficult to obtain a new visa while outside the U.S. on OPT.

Additionally, we strongly advise you to carry with you the original letter of employment offer or proof of job interviews when you travel.

If a student wishes to change their status while inside the United States, they will need to file an Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with USCIS.

Steps to change status inside the United States:

1. Gain admission to Manhattan University
2. Obtain a Form I-20 with an issue reason, "change of status"
3. Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee
4. File the form I-539 with USCIS

Special Instructions for B Visas

Students applying for a student visa from a B-1/B-2 visa must refrain from enrolling in a program of study until they have been approved by USCIS. If the case has not been adjudicated within 15 days of the program's start date, you must defer to the following semester. 

H-1B Visa

Students who wish to change from a student visa to an H1B visa must speak with their employer for sponsorship and follow the appropriate process.

Travel

If a student applies for a change of status inside the United States, they are not required to depart; however, if the student travels outside the United States, they must renew their visa upon re-entry. A student cannot renew their visa from inside the United States.