Semester Reminder
Whether you're starting your first semester or well into your academic journey, it is important for you to understand and follow immigration regulations. The reminders and tips below offer advice for each phase of the semester, ensuring not only academic success but also compliance with U.S. immigration laws.
Start of the Semester
If you plan to complete your program in Fall 2026, your I-20 program end date will be adjusted to January 8, 2027 at the end of the Fall 2026 semester.
- You will not be eligible to work on campus beyond January 8, 2027.
- The current grace period is 60 days, so you will be able to remain in the U.S. until March 9, 2027.
Keeping your personal and emergency contact information up to date is an important part of maintaining your F-1 status and staying connected with SFSU. Accurate information allows the university to contact you in case of an emergency, provide important health and safety updates, and communicate information related to your academic and immigration records.
Log in to Gateway/MySFSU to review your current U.S. address, U.S. phone number, and emergency contact information. If your information is correct and has not changed, no further action is required. If any information has changed, you must update it promptly.
See Full-Time Requirement at Maintaining F-1 Status page.
Tips to Add Classes After Semester Starts:
It’s best to finalize your class schedule within the first week of the semester. If you need to add a class after the semester begins:
- Attend the first class meeting, even if you’re not enrolled yet.
- Many instructors require attendance before providing permission numbers.
Consequences of Non-Compliance:
Failure to meet the enrollment requirement will result in I-20 termination and loss of legal status in the U.S., including future eligibility for work authorization.
Three Ways to Justify Part-Time Enrollment
F-1 international students may be eligible to enroll part-time under specific circumstances. Below are the acceptable ways to justify part-time enrollment:
- Reduced Course Load (RCL) – For Completion of Study
- Undergraduate Students: If you are completing your program with fewer than a full-time course load remaining, you must apply for a Reduced Course Load (RCL).
- Graduate Students: If you are continuing to work on your culminating experience courses after the grace semester, you must submit an RCL application instead of Full-Time Equivalency (FTE).
- Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) – Graduate Students Only
- Graduate students beginning or continuing culminating experience courses with fewer than the required full-time units must apply for Full-Time Equivalency (FTE).
- Concurrent Enrollment
- If you are taking additional units at another SEVP-certified school in the U.S. to meet full-time enrollment requirements, you must apply for Concurrent Enrollment.
- For more details, visit F-1 Enrollment
Deadline to Justify Part-Time Enrollment
All students must enroll full-time or submit justification for part-time enrollment by the Student Drop DEADLINE.
- Fall 2026 Deadline: Monday, September 14, 2026.
Consequences of Non-Compliance:
Failure to meet this requirement will result in I-20 termination, which means the student will fall out of legal status in the U.S. This includes losing eligibility for future work authorization, such as CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT extensions.
When to Submit a Time Off Request
If you are a current student who does not plan to attend SFSU for the upcoming semester, you must take one of the following actions by the Student Drop DEADLINE
- Transfer Your I-20 to Another School: If you plan to attend another school in the U.S., submit your transfer-out request.
- Take a Semester Off or Withdrawing from SFSU. Follow the instructions posted at Temporary Leave or Withdrawal.
Deadline to Depart the U.S.
- Students must leave the U.S. before the Student Drop DEADLINE
- Your I-20 will be terminated by authorized withdrawal.
Important Note
The termination of your I-20 will not affect your eligibility to enroll at SFSU in the future. For example, students can continue pursuing online studies from outside the U.S. during their time off.
Middle of the Semester
Impact of W and WU Grades on F-1 Status
As an F-1 student, it's important to understand how "W" (Withdrawal) and "WU" (Unauthorized Withdrawal) grades can affect your immigration status.
What Are W and WU Grades?
- W Grade: Assigned when a student formally withdraws from a class.
- WU Grade: Assigned when a student stops attending or participating in a class without officially withdrawing.
Why Do W and WU Grades Matter?
Receiving a W or WU grade can negatively impact your F-1 status if it reduces your enrollment below the required minimum units.
Example: An F-1 undergraduate student enrolled in 12 units who receives a WU grade for a 3-unit class would no longer meet the full-time enrollment requirement of 12 units and would be considered out of status.
Grades That Satisfy Full-Time Requirements
The following grades count toward maintaining full-time enrollment: A, B, C, D, F, CR (Credit), and NC (No-Credit). Students do not always automatically receive an "F" (Fail) grade for stopping attendance. A WU grade may be assigned instead.
For Students with Approved RCL or FTE
If you have an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL) or Full-Time Enrollment (FTE) authorization, you must successfully complete the specific number of units for which you have approval.
Example: A student approved for an RCL of 5 units who receives a WU grade for a 3-unit class would only complete 2 units and be considered out of status.
Seek Help and Support
Academic Help:
- If you're struggling academically, reach out to your instructor, academic advisor, or the Tutoring and Academic Support Center (TASC) for assistance. TASC provides resources for Reading, Writing, and Academic Study Skills to support all students.
Maintaining F-1 Status:
- If you're facing challenges, whether mental, physical, or related to cultural adjustment, that may affect your studies and your F-1 status, please contact the international student advisors at f1@sfsu.edu. The advisors can provide guidance and connect you to the right campus resources to help you stay on track while maintaining your F-1 status.
Explore the Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) Grading Option
If you are concerned about your final grade as you reach the midpoint of a course, you may consider the Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) grading option. CR/NC grades can count toward the full-time enrollment requirement for F-1 immigration purposes.
- Refer to the university’s Grading Information and Systems in the SFSU Bulletin.
- Generally, you can change to CR/NC grading before the Grading Option DEADLINE
- However, note that not all courses, especially major core courses, offer this option. It’s important to consult your academic advisor for guidance on how choosing CR/NC may impact your graduation plan.
End of the Semester
If you will be traveling outside the U.S. while in F-1 status, your I-20 must be signed by an F-1 international student advisor.
Extend your I-20 if it is expiring and you are not completing study. See I-20 Information.
You can check your final grades on SF State Gateway / MySFSU.
If you receive a W or WU grade and your total enrollment is below the full-time requirements, contact the F-1 international student advisors at f1@sfsu.edu. If you do not contact the advisors, you will still receive an email from the F-1 international student advisors regarding your F-1 status.
- Campus financial obligation hold: If you still have outstanding tuition and the financial obligation hold, please make payment to clear this hold.
- Clearing the international health Insurance Hold: See International Students Health Insurance.
- You must enroll full time unless you are graduating or will be working on culminating experience (Graduate students only).
- Full time enrollment is at least 12 units for undergraduate students (with at least 9 of the 12 units as in-person or hybrid courses), and at least 8 units for graduate students (with at least 5 of the 8 units as in-person or hybrid courses).
- You are allowed to take multiple fully online courses during each semester. However, no more than the equivalent of one class or three (3) units will count towards their full-time unit requirement.