AUTHORIZATION FOR LESS THAN FULLTIME ENROLLMENT

All F-1 students are required to enroll full-time in the fall and spring semesters, and the minimum number of credits is 12 for undergraduate students and 9 for graduate students. There are some specific circumstances in which a student may be eligible for a reduced course load. In all cases, the student must also be approved by the Registrar, but the registrar will wait for the UIS to authorize the student before approving. The student must submit the UIS Authorization for Less than FT Form and upload the corresponding evidence.

1. Medical Reasons  To request authorization to be less than FT for medical reasons, the student must first acquire accommodation from the Accessibility Resources Center (ARC). Submit evidence to ARC in the form of a doctor’s letter indicating the diagnosis, type and duration of treatment, and the need to reduce or discontinue study during treatment. Hospitalization documents can be evidence as well. A medical reduced course load can be for all or some credits, or for remote study, but cannot surpass a total of 12 months. Students are encouraged to return home if the illness or injury requires substantial time. If the treatment is only available in the U.S., the student should consult with an immigration attorney about changing visa status if the treatment will extend beyond 12 months. Evidence required: official accommodation from ARC.

2. First Semester Academic Difficulties   The F-1 visa regulations allow a reduced course load during the first semester for unfamiliarity with English or with adapting to the U.S. education system. This authorization must be recommended by the student’s academic advisor after other support services have been activated. The student should first seek support through faculty office hours, the Center for Student Success, the Center for Learning Resources, and/or the Writing Center. This authorization reason is only available during the student’s first semester, and the student and their academic adviser should consider this a one-time possibility when other solutions are not enough. Evidence Required: Academic Advisor’s recommendation by email to the UIS.

3. Last Semester with Fewer Credits Remaining    The student should do a degree audit with their academic advisor to confirm they are taking all remaining requirements to complete their coursework in the semester. There can only be one final semester. The student should ask their academic advisor to email UIS to confirm how many credits are remaining and the student’s projected completion date. Evidence required: Academic Advisor’s confirmation by email to UIS.

Authorization for Less than FT Form

If after reviewing this information, you still have questions, submit your inquiry to UIS via the General Inquiry Form. UIS will answer inquiries in the order they are received.