F1 Students
Enrollment: What You Need to Know

Full Course of Study
(For Immigration Purposes)

To maintain valid F-1 status, a student must maintain a full-course of study. Full-time enrollment is defined in the Florida State University "General Bulletin."

Below is a chart that shows minimum enrollment requirements for immigration purposes. Please also note that if an academic department requires enrollment that exceeds the information below, that international students must comply with the departmental policy. The enrollment minimums in the chart below are only minimums to maintain proper F-1 immigration status. International students must enroll for the immigration minimums AND satisfy requirements of FSU and the academic department.


Undergraduates 12 hours minimum in both Fall and Spring

Summer - Enrollment is not required unless it is your first semester at FSU or your final term. If summer is your first semester, then you must maintain full-time summer enrollment.

Final Term - minimum enrollment is based on the number of hours required to complete the degree. Students must submit a Final Term Form no later than 2 weeks into the final term. However, submission of the Final Term Form PRIOR the start of the final term is preferred.
Graduates 9 hours minimum in both Fall and Spring

3 hours minimum after completing 6 thesis hours or 24 dissertation hours and it is not the final term.

Summer - Enrollment is not required unless it is your first semester at FSU or your final term. If summer is your first semester, then you must maintain full-time summer enrollment. Final Term - 2 hours of minimum enrollment for students on the thesis/dissertation track (even if the final term is during the summer semester). For master's students on other tracks, minimum enrollment is based on the minimum number of credit hours needed to complete the degree. Students must submit a Final Term Form no later than 2 weeks into the final term. However, submission of the Final Term Form PRIOR the start of the final term is preferred.


Frequently asked questions:

What is considered full-time enrollment during the summer semester for undergraduates and graduates?

If enrolled in..
  • Session A - 9 credit hours
  • Session B or C alone - 6 credit hours
  • Any combination of different summer sessions - 9 credit hours
Can international students ever drop below a full course of study during the Fall and Spring semesters?

Possibly. Federal immigration regulations allow undergraduate and graduate students to request reduced enrollment based on the following academic reasons:
  • Initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements
  • Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods
  • Improper course level placement
To request a reduced course load based on academic reasons, please submit the Reduced Course Load for Academic Reasons Form.
  • Students can also request a reduced course load based on medical reasons. Submit the Medical Reduced Course Load Form along with a letter from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or a licensed clinical psychologist.
**Note: Students must submit a request for a reduced course load before the end of the add/drop period of the semester or before withdrawing from a course later in the semester. Make sure to never drop below a full course load PRIOR to obtaining authorization.