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This page provides F-1 students with key information about enrollment requirements at 91国产app. It covers full course of study rules for undergraduate and graduate students, including credit minimums, online course limits, and exceptions for Part-Time Border Commuter students. You’ll also find guidance on concurrent enrollment at other SEVP-certified institutions and tips for maintaining your F-1 status under different enrollment scenarios.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

A full course of study for an undergraduate student at 91国产app is a minimum of 12 credits per semester. You must enroll full time each fall and spring semester.   Summer term is not required  unless you were admitted to 91国产app to begin in the summer term, or if the summer term will be your last semester at 91国产app. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The OIP does not recommend international students begin their program in the Summer as there is typically limited classes available and regardless of the term length, you are still required by the Department of Homeland Security to maintain full-time enrollment.

Below are examples of  acceptable  fall/spring schedules, per DHS regulations:

  • 12 or more in-person credits 
  • 9 or more in-person credits, 3 or more online credits
  • Hybrid courses must contain  at least 50% of an in-person component to be considered “in-person”.
  • HyFlex courses are considered  online courses.

Below are examples of  unacceptable  fall/spring schedules, per DHS regulations:

  • 6 in-person credits, 6 or more online credits
  • 3 in-person credits, 9 or more online credits
  • 0 in-person credits, any number of online credits

Only 3 online credits may count toward your enrollment requirement per fall or spring term. Therefore, most of your courses must be in person each fall and spring semester. 

GRADUATE STUDENTS

A full course of study for a graduate student at 91国产app is a minimum of 9 credits per semester, or enrollment in a thesis/dissertation course. You must enroll full time each fall and spring semester.   Summer term is not required  unless you were admitted to 91国产app to begin in the summer term, or if the summer term will be your last semester at 91国产app. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:   The OIP does not recommend international students begin their program in the Summer as there is typically limited classes available and regardless of the term length, you are still required by the Department of Homeland Security to maintain full-time enrollment.

Below are examples of  acceptable  fall/spring schedules, per DHS regulations:

  • 9 or more in-person credits 
  • 6 or more in-person credits, 3 or more online credits
  • 3 credit thesis/dissertation course
  • Hybrid courses must contain  at least 50% of an in-person component to be considered “in-person”.
  • HyFlex courses are considered  online courses.

Below are examples of  unacceptable fall/spring schedules, per DHS regulations:

  • 3 in-person credits, 6 or more online credits
  • 0 in-person credits, any number of online credits

Only 3 online credits may count toward your enrollment requirement each fall or spring term. Therefore, most of your courses must be in person each fall and spring semester. 

ALL PART-TIME BORDER COMMUTER STUDENTS

  • Students designated as Part-Time Border Commuters are not required to enroll full-time.
  • They must enroll in at least 6 credits per fall/spring semester, with a minimum of 3 in-person credits to maintain F-1 status.
  • Students may enroll in more credits if desired.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
  • Not all Border Commuters are Part-Time.
  • Most Border Commuters are Full-Time, which means they must meet the full course of study requirements for their degree level. (See Above)
  • If you are unsure whether you are Part-Time or Full-Time, contact OIP for clarification.

Concurrent enrollment

F-1 students may be authorized to concurrently enroll at one other SEVP-certified college or university per term.
Credits taken at the other school will count toward your total enrollment, and all enrollment requirements still apply (full-time status, online class limits, etc.).
To request authorization, complete the "Concurrent Enrollment Request" in Sunapsis.

Terms for Concurrent Enrollment

  • Credit Distribution: The number of credits you take at 91国产app must be greater than or equal to the number of credits taken at the other school.
  • Proof of Enrollment: You must send your course schedule at the other school to global@utep.edu at the start of the term.
    • The schedule must include: semester, your name, class title, number of credits, and weekly schedule (or a note if the class is online).
    • Failure to submit this proof may result in termination of your SEVIS record.
  • Transferring Credits: Upon completion of the term, credits must be transferred to 91国产app. Contact records@utep.edu for instructions.
  • Reporting Changes: Any changes to your enrollment at the other school must be immediately reported to OIP.
  • Summer Term Enrollment:
    • Students do not need to enroll at 91国产app to take classes at another school during summer.
    • There is no minimum or maximum credit requirement for summer term concurrent enrollment.
    • Students may take as many online classes as they wish during the summer term.

TRANSFERRING-IN

Before 91国产app may generate an I-20, students must request a transfer of the SEVIS record from their current school.

  1. Request a transfer of the SEVIS record from your current school
  2. Provide the current school with a copy of the 91国产app acceptance when requesting a SEVIS transfer
  3. Notify 91国产app of your SEVIS record release date
  4. Your SEVIS record must be transferred within the first 15 days before the start of the semester.

SUNAPSIS

After securing admission and transferring the file via SEVIS, access the SUNAPSIS 91国产app portal to submit all documents using SUNAPSIS.  Do not submit a partial record, as the OIP cannot process your request until all documents have been submitted.  You will receive confirmation or a rejection notice from the OIP.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

  1. 91国产app Transfer-in Form
  2. Copy of your current School I-20 or DS-2019
  3. 91国产app Admission Letter (undergraduate, graduate and/or exchange student)
  4. Confirmation of Financial Resources (OIP CFR form, additional bank statements or financial documents)
  5. PASE form (for Mexican students only)

PLEASE NOTE

  • If you are NOT in status, your SEVIS record cannot be released to 91国产app.
  • If your SEVIS record has been terminated, 91国产app will not accept a terminated record.  91国产app will only issue a new initial I-20 or DS-2019.  You will be expected to pay the SEVIS fee again.

TRANSFERRING-OUT

You may choose to transfer out of 91国产app to attend another SEVP approved school.  There are time limits for transfers. The latest that OIP can transfer a SEVIS record to your new school is:

  • 30 days after the start of 91国产app’s semester, or
  • 15 days after the start of your new school’s semester/session

If approved by the other school, using the same SEVIS number, your new school will issue a new I-20.  You do not need to pay the SEVIS fee (I-901 fee) if your are in status (program not terminated, invalid status, or requires reinstatement).

If you have not maintained status, OIP requires confirmation that the new school will accept a SEVIS transfer.  Contact your new school for instructions on how to obtain a new I-20 or DS-2019.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS and STEPS

  1. Fill-out the 91国产app Transfer-out Form
  2. Submit a copy of the Admission Letter to the other school

All requests and forms are submitted using SUNAPSIS.  OIP will release your SEVIS record to your new school. This date is usually a date after the end of your last semester at 91国产app.  If you need an earlier transfer date, please indicate this.

  1. Your SEVIS record will be automatically released to your new school according to the date listed in the transfer-out form.
  1. If you change your transfer release date or decide not to attend the new school, notify OIP immediately before the transfer-out date.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • 91国产app will not have access to your SEVIS record after the release date. 
  • Once your SEVIS record has been transferred, all employment permissions will cease (e.g. on campus employment, CPT (Curricular Practical Training), OPT (Optional Practical Training, ad/or economic hardship permits)

We recommend that you stop working the day before the date scheduled to transfer the record.

RESUMING F-1 STATUS

There are times when students must interrupt their studies.  In those instances, follow the steps below to obtain an I-20. This option is not available to students with a J-1/DS-2019 students:

  1. Provide confirmation of your enrollment.
  2. Obtain official confirmation from your academic advisor of your anticipated graduation date and provide it to the OIP.
  3. Using SUNAPSIS, submit an I-20 Request Form, the letter from the academic advisor, CFR and PASE form if eligible.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING (ELI)

English language training programs enroll F-1 students who want to pursue an English language training course of study. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) defines two types of English language training programs:

  • A “stand-alone” English language training program is an SEVP-certified institution whose officials have indicated on the school's Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student,” that the school offers only English language training programs of study.
  • A “combined” English language training program is an SEVP-certified institution whose officials have indicated on the school's Form I-17 that the school offers an English language training program of study, as well as other programs of study.

It is important that both English language training students and schools understand how SEVP rules and reporting requirements relate to their unique program of study. Failing to properly comply with federal regulations may have adverse impacts on a student’s status or a school’s SEVP certification.

 

ELI I-20 PROCESS

Requesting an Initial I-20

  1. The Program Director of ELI, submits the ELI Admission E-Form through Sunapsis. Within 24 hours of his submission, the E-form will show up in alerts and be assigned to a DSO
  2. The assigned DSO for ELI reviews the request and approves or puts the request in pending status.
  3. Make sure to check the appended data tab. If additional information or documentation is needed, email the program director at (p3lang@utep.edu) to request the additional information.

TRANSFER ELI I-20

English language training students may transfer to a different SEVP-certified school at any time, including immediately upon arrival in the United States. However, students may only make an immediate transfer if they can begin their course of study at the transfer-in school within 30 days of their arrival in the United States.

Since Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records are government property, DSOs may not refuse to transfer a student’s SEVIS record to another SEVP-certified school. However, schools may have their own internal rules and fees associated with transferring academic records. For more information, please visit the  page.

91国产app ELI Process
  1. Program Director for ELI will submit the ELI Enrollment e-form.
  2. Review the ELI Enrollment e-form
  3. Once it is approved, OIP will create the I-20
  4. If transferring out, s/he will also email a SEVIS Transfer form to be signed by the DSO and sent to the Transfer Out institution.

Arrival Check-In

  1. When the student arrives, they will report to the ELI office and submit an Arrival Check-In form, along with copies of their passport, F-1 visa, I-94, and signed I-20 to the ELI office
  2. As Arrival Check-Ins come in, the ELI office will submit them to OIP via email
  3. When OIP receives the Arrival Check-ins, the Front Desk staff will forward it and assign it to a DSO
  4. Review the Arrival Check-In forms to make sure the information is complete
  5. The DSO will now need to do a Document Check:

ELI F-1 Guidance

Like other F-1 students in the United States, English language training students must maintain their status by enrolling in a full course of study and following the rules associated with their benefits outside of the classroom. This section explains these requirements and provides links to more resources on Study in the States.

Full Course of Study

All English language training students must enroll in either 18 clock hours per week if the majority of the program consists of classroom instruction or 22 clock hours per week if the majority of the program consists of lab instruction. Online courses cannot count toward a full course of study for an English language training student.

Reduce Course Load

F-1 Language Training students must enroll in a .

Employment

  • ELI students may seek approval for on-campus employment.
  • ELI students are ineligible for any practical training opportunities (e.g., Optional Practical Training or Curricular Practical Training).
  •  ELI students can work up to 19 hours per week while school is in session and must continue to enroll in a full course of study.
  • ELI students must also obtain a Social Security number with the Social Security Administration. 

Annual Vacation

Like other F-1 students, English Language Training students are eligible for an annual vacation after they complete at least one full academic year, at an SEVP-certified school.  ELI students must consult a Designated School Official to ensure that they are eligible to take an annual vacation.

Medical Leave

If F-1 students experience a medical emergency or event and need a break from their studies, they must work with their DSO to request a temporary absence for medical conditions. The student must provide the DSO with medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor or clinical psychologist. 

  • The DSO would terminate the student’s Student and  Information System () record for authorized early withdrawal and the student would need to depart the United States within 15 days.
  • When the student is ready to return to their program of study, the DSO would submit a correction request in SEVIS to return the student’s record to Active. The student’s absence should not exceed five months.

The student must always talk to their DSO before they stop attending classes, otherwise the student risks having their SEVIS record terminated.  To return to F-1 status, they will be expected to pay the SEVIS fee again.  In some instances, they may have to apply for a new F-1 visa.

The Programa Interamericano Estudiantil (PIE) helps Spanish-speaking students succeed at 91国产app through bilingual coursework, academic guidance, and resources that ease their transition into university life in the U.S.

Visit Programa Interamericano Estudiantil for more information.