International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

Online Enrollment Policy

Immigration regulations require international students in F-1 status to register for and complete a full course load each semester during each academic term (with exceptions of summer).

For immigration purposes, full-time enrollment is defined as:

• Undergraduate students:12 credit hour (4 courses)
• Graduate students: 9 credit hours (3 courses)
• Graduate students with a Graduate Assistantship: 6 credit hours (2 courses)

F-1 students can only count ONE online class toward their minimum number of credits during the spring and fall semester. If a student needs only one course to complete the program of study in their final semester, the course cannot be online. NO exceptions!

Summer enrollment is optional unless it is your last semester. Full-time summer enrollment is 3 credit hours and it cannot be an online course if it's your last semester.

SIUE definitions of online and blended instruction:

1. Online - 100 percent of the class takes place online. Online classes shall not require campus meeting times; therefore, these classes will not be assigned classroom space.
2. Blended - Blended classes will be scheduled to combine face-to-face and online formats. These classes will be scheduled to include an online component from 30-99 percent, in which the online component substitutes for a portion of the face-to-face meetings. These classes need to be assigned classroom space for the in-person portion of the class (up to 70 percent of overall class).

Using these definitions:

• SIUE international students may not enroll in more than ONE online course each semester. Taking more than ONE online class in a semester means the student’s immigration will be “out-of-status.”
• If an international student wishes to enroll in a blended class, the student should clarify with the instructor or academic advisor that the class is at least 51 percent face-to-face instruction. Without this assurance, an international student should assume that the blended class could be considered as an online class under U.S. immigration regulations.

How do I know which classes are online or blended?

When registering for classes, F-1 students should carefully review the class schedule to avoid mistakenly enrolling in more than ONE online class.

Blended class example:

In the example below, note that the class is listed as “off-campus,” “Blended/Hybrid Instructional Method.” The scheduled meeting times lists the class as “online.” Because the class is blended/hybrid, this means the class is 30-99 percent online. International students may take Blended/Hybrid courses.

Quantitative Analysis – 15177 – MBA 521 – 73C
Associate Team:  Spring 20xx
Registration Dates:  Oct 17, 20xx to Jan 08, 20xx
Levels:  Graduate

Off-campus Campus
Lecture Schedule Type
Blended/Hybrid Instructional Method
3.000 Credits
Syllabus Available
View Catalog Entry

Online class example:

In the example below, note that the class is listed as “off-campus,” “Fully Online Instructional Method.” The scheduled meeting times lists the class as “online.” Because the class is online, this means the class is 100 percent online. International students may only take one online class, so you could only enroll in only one online class each semester.

Application of Biostatistics and Epidemiology Principles to Health Care – 18141 – PAPA 561 - 502|
Associate Team:  Spring 20xx
Registration Dates:  Oct 17, 20xx to Jan 08, 20xx
Levels:  Graduate

Off-campus Campus
Lecture Schedule Type
Fully Online Instructional Method
3.000 Credits
Syllabus Available
View Catalog Entry

Questions?

If you are not sure if you are enrolling in a blended or online class, please check with your academic or immigration advisor.

View a current list of blended and online courses