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A.
Students in F-1 visa status must maintain full-time status by
being registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours. There are no
excused absences, but you should contact your teacher if you
will be absent and explain why.
B.
F-1 students may count a maximum of 3 credit hours of on-line
classes toward full-time enrollment during the fall and spring
semesters. This means that F-1 students must enroll in a
minimum of 9 credit hours on-campus if they take 3 credit hours
on-line.
C.
Do not withdraw from any classes without consulting with an
International Student Advisor if the class withdrawal will put you
below 12 credit hours.
2.
Do not take an unauthorized vacation from school. To maintain status, F-1
visa students must enroll full-time (12 credits) in fall and spring semesters.
Summer term is optional and students may choose to either not take any
classes or take fewer than 12 credit hours during summer semester
(unless summer semester is the first term of enrollment).
3.
Do not work without authorization. You are eligible to work on campus up
to twenty hours per week. For everything else, you must get special
authorization from the United States Department of Homeland Security.
Working off-campus without authorization is a violation of your status.
4.
Keep your passport valid at all times. If your passport is going to expire,
contact your home country embassy for renewal information. Please come
to International Student Admissions and Advising if you need information
about contacting your closest embassy or consulate.
5.
Keep your I-20 valid at all times. Check the “completion of studies date” in
item #5 on your I-20. If it will expire soon, speak to an advisor at
International Student Admissions and Advising. If you plan to continue
your studies, we may extend your I-20 with a later completion date. I-20
extensions must be done before the I-20 expiration date is reached. Proof
of financial support and a graduation audit are required for an I-20
extension.
6.
Maintain adequate health insurance. The Board of Regents of the
University System of Georgia requires that all F-1 students maintain
adequate health insurance. This is to protect you from the unexpected
costs of an accident or illness. The fee for your health insurance is paid
along with your payment for tuition each semester. If you have other
health insurance and you want to be exempt from the mandatory health
insurance policy, please contact International Student Admissions and
Advising for further instructions.
7.
Report address and phone number changes to International Student
Admissions and Advising within 10 days.
8.
Plan ahead for overseas travel and make the proper preparations. If you
will be traveling outside the United States, please come to International
Student Admissions and Advising at least two weeks before traveling to get
your 1-20 and other documents checked. You will need a valid passport, a
valid F-1 visa, and your I-20 form.
9.
Do not worry if your F-1 visa expires. The F-1 visa in your passport is an
entry visa only. Do not worry if it expires while you are in the United
States. However, the next time you travel outside of the United States
(except for short trips to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean) you will need
