General Requirements
- During the academic year, international students in F-1 or J-1 status must either be enrolled full-time or receive permission from the U-M International Center for a reduced course load or a full-time exception.
- The deadline for meeting the full-time registration requirement is the end of the U-M Drop/Add period.
- If you are not registered full-time by the deadline, your SEVIS record will be terminated and you will lose your F-1/J-1 status.
- There is no grace period to remain in the U.S. following status termination.
- For most students, the academic year is fall and winter terms, while the spring/summer is considered a vacation term.
- If you are admitted to begin in spring/summer, you must enroll full-time in that term.
- If your final term is spring/summer, you must enroll in that term.
- During the academic year, in general, the minimum full-time enrollment for international students is as follows:
| Academic Level | Minimum Total Credit Hours Required | Minimum In-Person Credit Hours Required |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate students | 12 | 9 |
| Graduate students | 8 | 5 |
| Graduate student assistants (GSIs or GSRAs) | 6 | 3 |
- Pass/Fail classes count towards full time enrollment.
- Courses that you visit or audit do not count towards full-time enrollment.
In Person Study Requirements
| Academic Level | Minimum Total Credit Hours Required | Minimum In-Person Credit Hours Required |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate students | 12 | 9 |
| Graduate students | 8 | 5 |
| Graduate student assistants (GSIs or GSRAs) | 6 | 3 |
- Students are required to physically attend classes on campus.
- 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 you to attend classes remotely.
Exceptions to Full-Time Enrollment Requirements
In some cases, international students may receive permission from the U-M International Center to drop below full-time enrollment.
- Reduced course load (F-1/J-1)
- Full-time equivalency for graduate students (F-1/J-1)
- Concurrent enrollment (F-1)
Rackham Grace Period (PhD students)
The purpose of the Rackham Grace Period is to allow PhD students a small amount of extra time if needed after the end of a semester, during which the final degree requirements may be completed, without having to enroll in the subsequent semester. This has significant ramifications for F-1 and J-1 PhD students, impacting their I-20/DS-2019 end date, on-campus employment timing, and post-completion employment strategy. Careful advance planning is essential for any F-1 or J-1 PhD student considering use of the Rackham Grace Period.
Guest Student Information
An F-1 student may attend another school as a guest student, provided they maintain compliance with the U-M full-time enrollment and in-person study requirements detailed above.
Enrollment Verification
If you need verification of your U-M enrollment for other purposes – one example is certain Canadian tax forms - the Office of the Registrar will verify full-time or part-time enrollment based on these requirements.