International Student Services
Maintaining F-1 Status
Enrollment Requirements
To maintain F-1 status, enrollment during your initial semester at UT Tyler and each Fall and Spring semester must be full-time for your degree level. You must be enrolled in at least the minimum credit hours required to be considered enrolled in a full course load and to be a full-time student.
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Undergraduate |
Graduate |
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Minimum Load |
12 credits |
9 credits |
Online Course Restrictions
Only 3 online credits can apply toward your full course load. You may take additional online credits beyond your required full course load.
As an undergraduate student this means that at least 9 credits must be in-person or hybrid every Fall/Spring term.
As a graduate student this means that at least 6 credits must be in-person or hybrid every Fall/Spring term.
Classes listed as hybrid are considered to be in-person for F-1 purposes.
Summer Enrollment
Summer enrollment is optional for continuing international students. You do not need to meet full course of study requirements during this time if you choose to enroll.
If this is your first term at UT Tyler, enrollment in a full course load is required.
Learn more about enrolling in classes and course registration!
Special Circumstances
There are a few special circumstances in which a student would not have a full course load of enrollment at UT Tyler. Please note that some scholarships may be affected if you drop below a full course load. Also, check with your department regarding any policies they have about reducing your course load.
Concurrent Enrollment
UT Tyler allows international students to take classes at another University at the same time, as long as at least half of the required enrollment hours are being taken at UT Tyler. For example, an undergraduate must have at least 12 credit hours total. They must take at least six credit hours at UT Tyler and then they would take the remaining credits at the other institution. Students must maintain full-time status throughout the semester of concurrent enrollment. Students should obtain approval using the Concurrent Enrollment Request.
Reduced Course Load - Academic Difficulties
To gain authorization to drop below the full course load requirement, you must submit the completed Academic Reduced Course Load (RCL) form by the term's Census Date. You qualify for an academic RCL is you experience academic difficulties in your initial semester, including:
- Improper course level placement
- Initial difficulty with reading requirements
- Initial difficulty with the English language
- Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods
An academic RCL can only be used for the above reasons for a student's initial term in the U.S. and it can only be used once. Students utilizing an academic RCL authorization must still be enrolled in at least half of the credits required for a full course load.
Reduced Course Load - Final Semester
A final semester reduced course load (RCL) is a special type of academic RCL. It can be used during a students final term if the student has less than a full course load left to complete their program. The student must be enrolled in at least one in-person or face-to-face course during their final term if they use this RCL authorization. To gain authorization to drop below the full course load requirement, you must submit the completed Final Semester Reduced Course Load (RCL) form by the term's Census Date. This RCL authorization reason can only be used once.
Reduced Course Load - Medical
If a student cannot enroll or should not enroll in a full course load due to an illness or medical condition, the student should complete the Medical Reduced Course Load (RCL) form. This form requires the signature of a U.S. Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), or a licensed clinical psychologist, as well as a written letter by signer. They can recommend that the student limit their enrollment to part-time or no enrollment for the term. A student cannot continue with on-campus employment if excused from all classes.
Students can use medical RCL authorization more than once, but they cannot exceed 12 months per educational level. You would need to submit a new Medical RCL form for each new term you use the authorization.