How to maintain your F-1 Status

F-1 non-immigrant students who have been allowed to enter the United States agree to maintain their non-immigrant status by following strict guidelines.

Students are encouraged to read Maintaining Your Status on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) webpage, as you are responsible for knowing and understanding this information.

As an F-1 student at SCC, it is your responsibility to become familiar with the immigration rules of the F- 1 visa status. SCC International Student Services is here to guide you through that process and welcomes your questions at any time.

Immigration Documents

  • Passport: Must have a passport that is valid for at least six months into the future.
  • F-1 Visa: Does not need to be valid while you are in the U.S., but must be valid any time you exit the U.S. and wish to return.
  • I-94: Should have the notation of F-1 "D/S" (Duration of Status). This means that your F-1 status is valid as long as you are in status as a student at a school with an F-1 program.
  • I-20: Valid for 2 years at SCC. You must make satisfactory academic progress to complete your program in this time period. You must have your I-20 signed each time you travel outside the U.S.

Academic Requirements

  • Enrollment: You are required to enroll at SCC full-time (a minimum of 12 credits) except during regular vacation periods (Winter, Spring, and Summer Break). You may not audit (take class for no grade) or withdraw to drop below 12 credits without the permission of International Student Services. Note: Be sure to read the allowable exceptions to full-time enrollment in the section below.
  • Attendance: You must attend classes for the entire term. Failure to attend will be a violation of full-time status.
  • Online Classes: Full-time F-1 students enrolled in 12 credits may not take more than 3 credits of online classes per term.
  • Academic Progress: You must make satisfactory academic progress toward your declared academic program by successfully completing courses pertaining to your degree program within the time period on the I-20.

Reporting Requirements

As an F-1 student, you must report the changes below to International Student Services, so it can be updated in the immigration database (SEVIS System).

  • Personal Information: change of address, name, email or phone number. Report within 10 days.
  • Academic Information: change of degree level or program, expiration of I-20 document (refer to “program end date” on page 1 of the I-20), transfer to a different U.S. institution, concurrent enrollment with another U.S. institution, changes in type of funding, enrolling in less than a full- time course load.
  • Immigration Information: renewal of passport or visa, change of immigration status.

Exceptions to Full-time Enrollment

F-1 international students are required to be enrolled at SCC for a minimum of 12 credits per term (Spring and Fall Semesters) throughout the academic year. Read carefully the only allowable exceptions, all of which require preapproval from International Student Services.

Reduced Course Load

Federal regulations allow F-1 students to take a reduced course load or no courses in these very specific and limited circumstances:

  • Academic difficulty
  • Medical condition
  • Final term

Students must be preapproved for a reduced course load before dropping their courses for the term. For detailed information and application instructions, contact the International Student Services.

Failure to follow the F-1 guidelines may lead to forfeiture of your F-1 visa status and your required immediate departure from the United States.