The primary focus of your experience in the U.S. is the successful completion of your course of study, the degree program for which you are enrolled at BYU
This means that during your initial semester or term and each enrollment period thereafter, except for vacations and approved exceptions, you are required to be a full-time student making normal progress toward the completion of your program requirements.
Be advised that under federal regulations, you are not allowed to complete your course of study during a semester or term of vacation and still remain in lawful status to be eligible for benefits like OPT.
Since there are several nuances to this rule, please contact International Services if you have questions regarding your particular circumstances.
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9 hours for each required semester
4.5 hours for each required term
You may apply one on-line or distance education class of up to three credit hours towards meeting this requirement, including classes at the Salt Lake Center. For additional information, please inquire at our office.
Withdrawal (W) grades do not count toward your total minimum hours. Once registered, make certain that you do not withdraw from any classes without first clearing it with International Services. Grade Information
Only the following situations, properly documented and approved by International Services before reducing your credit hours, will qualify you to maintain your F-1 status without being registered in a full course of study:
Academic—initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements, unfamiliarity with American teaching methods or improper course level placement
Obtain a letter(s) from your teacher(s) and/or advisor explaining your situation and recommending the reduction in studies.
You must take a minimum of six hours.
Supporting statements must be written on institution letterhead and include the date and appropriate signature.
Bring your letter(s) to International Services and consult with your advisor. If authorized, the interruption or reduction in studies may extend for one semester or term only.
If you are employed on campus, at the same time, complete a Last Semester Option form and submit it to Employment Services.
Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantship—participation in a graduate assistantship which would limit your ability to appropriately attend to a full course of study
You must register for at least six credit hours.
Bring your TA or RA contract to International Services when you seek approval of an exception to your full course of study.
If you are employed on campus, at the same time, complete a Last Semester Option form and submit it to Employment Services.
Medical—an illness or other medical condition that interrupts your ability to maintain a full course of study
You should obtain a statement from a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist recommending the interruption or reduction in studies. (Medical statements must be written on institution letterhead and include the date and appropriate signature. If you wish to work, please have your doctor indicate in your letter that you are able to do so.)
If necessary, you may use a total of 12 months approved medical reduction during your course of study. Beyond that, if further medical assistance is necessary, USCIS requires that you return to your home country. If you drop to 0 hours, you must receive a deferment from Admissions to continue your enrollment—more.
Practical Training
Curricular Practical Training—requirement by your department to engage in full-time training such as an internship
Undergraduate—less than a full course of study is needed to complete your program during your last semester or term
Obtain a signed, dated letter on letterhead from your department stating the current semester is your last semester or term.
Submit the letter to International Services.
If you are employed on campus, at the same time, complete a Last Semester Option form and submit it to Employment Services.
Graduate—completed all course work and are preparing for comprehensive examinations or are engaged in research on your thesis or dissertation, you are only required to maintain matriculation (thesis credits)
Obtain a signed, dated letter on letterhead from your department that you have completed your coursework but have remaining research or dissertation/thesis hours before completion of your degree.
Submit the letter to International Services.
If you are employed on campus, at the same time, complete a Last Semester Option form and submit it to Employment Services.
Vacation
You are not required to register for classes during your annual vacation period—typically during the spring and summer terms—if you are eligible and intend to register for the next semester or term.
Check with International Services if you have any questions about your vacation eligibility.
School Approval Withdrawn
Whenever you change your major at BYU, you must report the change to the DHS.
Procedure
When, after consulting with your departmental advisor, you desire to change your major, complete the necessary application with your new major department office which will result in your new major showing in your Route Y academic record.
Complete and submit a Request for New Form I-20 to International Services listing the reason as a change of major.
You may usually pick up your new Form I-20 within three to five working days.
In order to maintain your status as an F-1 student at BYU after completing your current program level and while planning to enroll full time in an academic program on a different educational level (e.g., bachelor’s to master's program or English Language Center to a bachelor's program, etc.), you must apply for a change of academic program.
Eligibility
To be eligible for approval to change your program of studies, you must have been enrolled full time in your previous program of studies and must have completed that program while maintaining your status. See Maintenance of Status.
Procedure
In enough time to meet application deadlines while completing your current level, apply for acceptance to your next educational level at either BYU Admissions (undergraduate programs) or Graduate Studies.
Obtain a Form I-20 for the new educational program from the admitting office.
Enroll full time in the new educational program as specified on your new Form I-20.
Check in to International Services by reporting no later than 15 days from the beginning date of your new program.
Bring your valid passport, Form I-20, and Form I-94 when you report to International Services.
The University is required to notify SEVIS when you are no longer enrolled, including the reason (i.e., transfer of schools, serving a mission, departed the U.S., completed program, changed status, etc.) which remains a permanent part of your record and may have an affect on your future eligibility to enter the U.S.
Please inform International Services when you do not plan to be enrolled during your next scheduled enrollment period by completing and submitting a Departure Notice.
If you fail to inform us of your departure, depending upon your situation, we may be required to terminate your SEVIS record giving only "failure to enroll" as the reason.
Available options upon leaving BYU after completion of your program of studies:
After your training, you have a 60-day grace period to return to school, change status or return home.
Return home
You are allowed to remain in the U.S. for up to 60 days in preparation for your return home.
Transfer Educational Level or Transfer Schools within 60 days
Transfer to another educational level at BYU such as from bachelor's to master's.
Transfer to another school—
Available options upon leaving BYU before completion of your program of studies:
Authorized withdrawal—Upon receiving authorization for early withdrawal by International Services, you may remain in the U.S. for up to 15 days following the withdrawal date noted in SEVIS to prepare to depart the U.S.
Unapproved withdrawal or termination—If you fail to maintain status, or withdraw from school or otherwise terminate or interrupt your course of studies without first obtaining International Services' approval in SEVIS, you are not eligible for any grace period, and are considered under the regulations to be out of status.
Government regulations allow you to take an annual vacation from enrollment at BYU as described below. If you are an ELC student, contact the ELC regarding your eligibility and frequency of vacation from ELC enrollment.
Eligibility is based upon when you began your studies at BYU; if you began
Fall or winter semester—your vacation will be during the next spring and summer terms,
Spring term—you will be eligible during summer term or
Summer term—your vacation will be during the next spring and summer terms.
If you are a transfer student and have questions, please consult with International Services regarding your vacation eligibility.
It is possible to change your annual vacation from spring and summer to fall or winter.
To qualify, you must
have been a student for the previous eight months and
be granted either an admissions deferment or authorization for a reduced course load.
You can not change your vacation from spring and summer if you are not planning to continue your classes during the following enrollment period.
Government regulations allow you to take an annual vacation from enrollment at BYU as described below. If you are an ELC student, contact the ELC regarding your eligibility and frequency of vacation from ELC enrollment.