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Reduced Courseload

Each semester, ISSS must report to the Department of Homeland Security to confirm if students are full-time enrolled. Those who do not maintain a full course of study will be considered out of legal status and face serious consequences. Students must be full-time each fall or spring semester. Enrollment during the summer is not required for the purpose of status maintenance unless it is your first semester in F-1 status – in which case, full-time enrollment is required.

In a few very specific situations, F-1 students may be authorized to enroll part-time. They are the following:

1. Academic reasons: These can only be used during a student’s first year of study, and only once per academic level.
   • Initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements
   • Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
   • Improper course level placement
2. Last semester of study (if you do not need a full courseload to finish)
3. Concurrent enrollment at both Vanderbilt and another U.S. institution (total combined enrollment at each institution must be full-time)
4. Illness or medical condition: limited to 12 months per degree level. Documentation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist is required before this can be approved.

If you have any questions about eligibility for these exceptions, please schedule an appointment with your assigned ISSS advisor. You must have approval prior to the start of the semester or as soon as you know you will not be enrolled full time at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø. You are not permitted to enroll part-time unless and until you have authorization from ISSS.