 Your admission to the U.S. as F-1 student is for "duration of status;" that is, for the time during which you are pursuing a full course of study and making normal progress toward your degree, or engaging in authorized practical training following completion of studies, plus 60 days to prepare to depart the U.S. You are eligible for the 60-day period only if you complete a semester of educational program at UNK. How to staying in Status?
Exceptions Enrollment
Academic Requirements
All students should maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA for work taken at UNK.
Reporting arriving at UNK
Report to DSO for Initial Registration in SEVIS upon arriving at UNK. For the first entry for initial school attendance, the school listed on the visa and on the I-20 must be the same, and that is the school the student must intend to attend.
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Pursue a "full course of study"
- (12 credit hours for undergraduates & 9 credit hours for graduates) at the school listed on the currently valid I-20 during every academic semester except during official school breaks, or unless approved under specific exception, in advance, by DSO. (See RCL Exceptions below.)
- Keep Form I-20 valid by following proper procedures for extension of stay (do not let your I-20 program date expire),
- change in educational levels (ELI to completion of a program; or BA to MA)
- programs of study (change of major.)
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Make normal progress toward completing the course of study, by completing studies before the expiration of the program completion date on Form I-20 (See Academic Requirements below.)
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Abide by the F-1 grace period rules, including remaining in the U.S. for no longer than 60 days after completing a full course of study, unless prior to completing the course of study the student has followed procedures for applying for practical training (OPT), moving educational levels, or school transfer (see Transfer).
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Report a change of address to the DSO in Welch Hall within 10 days of the change, each and every time you move, so that SEVIS can be updated. Changes of address are also required by UNK and can be done by accessing your MyBlue. By reporting your address change within 10 days, you will not need to fill out and mail the USCIS Form AR-11(unless you are from a country requiring Special Registration).
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Abide by rules requiring disclosure of information and prohibition on criminal activity, and special requirements, such as Special Registration (see Current Students, NSEERS.) Do Not work, either on or off-campus, unless specifically authorized under USCIS regulations.
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RCL (Reduced Course Load) Exceptions
First semester - academic difficulty exceptions (require prior approval):
- initial difficulties with the English language,
- initial difficulties with reading requirements,
- unfamiliarity with American teaching methods,
- improper course level placement.
Currently enrolled:
- illness or medical condition must be documented by medical professional,
- concurrent enrollment at another school,
- Graduate Assistants can be under-enrolled by one class. Must carry 6 credit hours minimum.
Fianl semester: a DSO can authorize a reduced course load in the student’s final semester if fewer courses are needed to complete the course of study.
An Exemption from Full-time Enrollment form must be filled out and returned to ISS before you begin a reduce course load. Download the Form Here Back to Top
Academic Requirements:
Academic Probation
If a student's cumulative GPA falls below the following limits, he/she will be placed on academic probation:
| Credits Attempted |
Minimum Cum GPA |
| 0 - 16 |
1.00 |
| 17 - 32 |
1.50 |
| 33 - 48 |
1.65 |
| 49 - 64 |
1.80 |
| 65 - 80 |
1.90 |
| 80 & above |
2.00 |
Students who do unsatisfactory coursework (probation) for two consecutive semesters are suspended for one academic year; however, they may enroll for classes during the summer term.
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Academic Suspension
Academic suspension prohibits the student from registering for at least one semester. If the student transfers to another school before the beginning of the semester for which you are prohibited from registering, the student will be considered to be maintaining status if there is no interruption of studies (remember however that you may have trouble being accepted at another school if you are on academic suspension.) On the other hand, if the student is prohibited from registering and does not transfer or is unable because of timing to transfer to another school to avoid an interruption of full-time study, then the student will be considered out of status (and should return home for the one-year duration of suspension.)
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For further assistance with the immigration process you can go to:
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