Maintaining F-1 Student Status
Please remember that it is your responsibility to maintain you F-1 status while attending UWA. The International Programs Office will provide you reminders about how to maintain your status but please remember that ultimately; it is your responsibility alone to maintain lawful F-1 student status. You will be considered to be “out of status” if you do not fulfill the conditions of your F-1 visa.
As an undergraduate, you must maintain 12 credit hours every fall and spring semester with no less than 9 of the 12 credits on campus courses. You also have to make normal progress toward your degree. (Three classes on campus and only one online course.)
As a graduate student, you have to maintain 6 credit hours every fall and spring semester, with no less than 6 of the 3 credits on campus courses. You also have to make normal progress toward your degree.
BEFORE dropping a course that will put you below the required credit hours (12 credit hours for Undergraduate Students & 6 credit hours for Graduate Students), speak to the Office of International Programs staff. Attend all classes and pay your fees on time. Drop of classes for failure to pay will be an unauthorized drop below full time.
Unauthorized drop below full time hours will be a termination of your I-20.
Unauthorized drop below full time hours will be a termination of your I-20.
Please contact the Office of International Programs should you have any questions regarding reporting changes in your information. Examples of changes in your information are as follows:
- Changes in your source of funding as listed currently on your UWA Form I-20;
- Changes in your program of study (major or program level);
- Changes in your address or phone number. Please note U.S. Regulations require students to report changes to your contact
information within ten days of the change;
- Upcoming Travel Plans: Before traveling outside the U.S., see the Office of International Programs staff to have your I-20
endorsed for travel. Travel signatures are valid for one year.
- Changes in your source of funding as listed currently on your UWA Form I-20;
- Changes in your program of study (major or program level);
- Changes in your address or phone number. Please note U.S. Regulations require students to report changes to your contact
information within ten days of the change;
- Upcoming Travel Plans: Before traveling outside the U.S., see the Office of International Programs staff to have your I-20
endorsed for travel. Travel signatures are valid for one year.
DO NOT accept off-campus employment without first contacting the Office of International Programs staff about your different off-campus work options. Working off campus without prior approval can be a termination to your UWA Form I-20.