International Student Enrollment Requirements

During the academic year, international students in F-1 or J-1 status must either be enrolled full-time or receive authorization from the Office of International Education and Global Engagement for an exception. 

The deadline to meet the full-time registration requirement is the "Late Registration and Drop/Add course period." If you are not registered full-time by the deadline, your SEVIS record will be terminated. You will lose your F-1 or J-1 status and must immediately leave the United States.  

Definition of Full Time Status for International Students

Academic Level Minimum Credit Hours  Minimum In-Person Credit Hours
Undergraduate 12 9
Graduate  9 6

In-Person Study Requirements:

  • Courses with Pass/Fail grades count towards full time enrollment.
  • Courses you audit and take as non-credit do not count towards full-time enrollment.
  • Hybrid classes are considered the same as in-person classes as long as you physically attend the class.
  • You must physically attend your in-person and hybrid classes, even if the professor allows students to attend classes remotely. 
Exceptions to Full-Time Enrollment Requirements

    In some cases, international students may request and receive authorization from the Office of International Education and Global Engagement to drop below full-time enrollment.

    • Reduced Course Load (RCL)

      Exceptions Guidelines

      Illness or Medical Condition
      • Cannot exceed 12 month aggregate per program level
      • May excuse a student from all classes
      • Student must provide medical documentation from a licensed: Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Clinical Psychologist
      • The International Office must renew the RCL each term, based on new or continuing medical information
      • May be used nonstop or at different times during a program level. 
      • Start date cannot begin before the RCL approval. 

      Academic Difficulties, including:

      • Improper course level placement

      • Initial difficulty with reading requirements

      • Initial difficulty with the English language

      • Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods
      • Can only be used in your first semester at Kutztown University. 
      • Student must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits. 
      • Student must be enrolled full course for the next semester.
      • RCL start and end dates must correspond to the school session start and end dates
      • RCL may be approved with back dated start dates.

      To Complete Course of Study In Current Term
      • Can only be used in your final semester at Kutztown University if you can complete the program with fewer classes. 
      • Student must be enrolled in at least one class.
      • RCL start and end dates must correspond to the school session start and end dates
      • RCL may be approved with back dated start dates.

      A student who wishes to drop below full time must obtain the approval from a DSO in advance, regardless what the reason might be. A student who drops below a full course of study (after the drop-add period) without prior approval of a DSO will be considered out of status. 

      NOTE: If approved for reduced course load, you are still eligible for on-campus employment benefits.

      How to Apply for a Reduced Course Load

      Step 1: Meet with your academic advisor or licensed medical professional physician (DO, MD or licensed clinical psychologist) and request a letter. The letter must be printed on official letterhead and contain contact information of the person who signed the letter.

      • Completion of Studies: A letter from your academic advisor confirming that you are expected to complete degree requirements by [date] and specifying the minimum number of credits you need to be enrolled in the final term.
      • Academic Difficulties: A letter from your academic advisor recommending a Reduced Course Load on the basis of [insert one of four academic difficulty reasons] and elaborating on the circumstances. The specific course should be mentioned if applicable. The letter must state the semester the RCL is recommended.
      • Medical Conditions: A letter from a licensed medical physician, doctor of osteopathy or licensed clinical psychologist recommending a Reduced Course Load on the basis of a medical condition for which you are receiving care. The letter does not need to detail the diagnosis or treatment but must specify whether the recommendation is for part-time study or no study (0 credits). The letter cannot be dated more than 30 days before the start of the term for which the RCL is requested. The letter must state the semester the RCL is recommended.

      Step 2: Send the letter together to international@kutztown.edu with the email subject as "Request for Reduced Course Load". 

      Step 3: Complete a Reduced Course Load Request Form. 

      Step 4: The International Office will determine your eligibility for RCL, report your RCL to SEVIS, and may generate a new I-20 for you, if necessary. You will receive an email notification once a determination is made on your RCL request. 

    • Concurrent Enrollment for F-1 Students

      F-1 students are eligible for simultaneous enrollment with a combination of courses at Kutztown University and another college or university, only if authorized by the Office of International Education and Global Engagement. 

      • A student wishing to be a guest student at another institution for incidental courses while maintaining full-time enrollment or during a winter or summer term do not need to be issued an I-20 for concurrent enrollment.

      Eligibility Requirements

      An F-1 student at Kutztown University may apply to enroll concurrently at Kutztown University and another SEVIS-approved school provided that all of the following conditions are met:

      • The combined credits for which the student is enrolled are the equivalent of a full course of study. 
      • The student must be enrolled [taking classes] at Kutztown University. Students must be registered for at least one credit at Kutztown University during all terms including the final term
      • Kutztown University must issue and maintain the SEVIS I-20, handle all SEVIS reporting requirements, and ensure that the student is pursuing a full course of study. Students who wish to be admitted, enroll, and go to classes full time at an institution other than Kutztown University need to request a transfer to the new institution.
      • Course work at the other school may not be audited or non-credit. Credit must be transferable to Kutztown University. This must be confirmed by a letter from an academic advisor at Kutztown University. 
      • A student wishing to be a guest student at another institution for incidental courses while maintaining full-time enrollment or during a winter or summer term do not need to be issued an I-20 for concurrent enrollment.

      How to Apply for Concurrent Enrollment

      Concurrent enrollment must be approved every semester. This procedure must be followed for each term of concurrent enrollment.

      Step 1: Gather the following documents:

      • Letter from your Kutztown University department academic advisor, indicating that you have permission for this enrollment and that the credits earned at the other school will be counted toward your degree at Kutztown University. The letter must also indicate the number of credits to be taken at each school.
      • Proof of registration in classes from the concurrent school, indicating that you are enrolled such as a letter from the Registrar's Office or equivalent office or a copy of your unofficial transcript indicating in-progress courses. 

      Step 2: Send all documents together to international@kutztown.edu with the email subject as "Request for Concurrent Enrollment"

      Step 3: The International Office will determine your eligibility for Concurrent Enrollment, report your Concurrent Enrollment to SEVIS, and will generate a new I-20 for you. The name of the other (concurrent) school where you are enrolled will be clearly recorded in the remarks section of your I-20. You will receive an email notification once a determination is made on your request.