Enrollment

Summer enrollment requirements depend on where summer falls within your academic program

If you are unsure whether summer is a required semester or an annual vacation for you, contact an OISS advisor

Summer is considered an annual vacation if:

• It is not your first or final semester, and
• You plan to enroll in the following fall semester.

If summer is an annual vacation:

• Enrollment is not required.
• You may choose to enroll in any number of credits.
• You may take courses in any format (in person, online, or hybrid).

Summer is considered a required semester if:

• It is your first semester.
• It is your final semester.
• Your academic department requires summer enrollment.

If summer is a required semester, you must:

• Enroll full time, or
• Apply for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) and receive approval from OISS before enrolling below full-time.
• Count only one online course toward your full-time enrollment.
• If you need only one course to complete your degree, that course must be in-person or hybrid.
• Limit on-campus employment to 20 hours per week.

U.S. federal regulations limit how many online courses international students may count toward their full-time enrollment during required academic semesters.

You may count a maximum of one online course per semester toward your full-time enrollment during required academic semesters (typically fall and spring).

Remaining courses must be in person or hybrid.

If you enroll in credits beyond your full-time requirement, additional courses may be taken in any format.

If your final semester requires only one course, that course must be in person or hybrid; it cannot be online.

If summer is your final semester, it becomes a required academic semester, and the online course policy applies.

If you are approved for a Reduced Course Load (RCL), you may count only one online course toward your enrollment.

English Language Center (ELC) students are not eligible to take online courses.

U.S. immigration regulations require most international students to enroll full time during required academic semesters. Under very limited circumstances, international students may apply to enroll in less than the full-time course load.

You must receive OISS approval before enrolling below full time. Do not drop or withdraw from a course until your Reduced Course Load (RCL) request has been approved.

F-1 Students:

You may qualify for an RCL for the following reasons:

• Academic Difficulties (First Semester Only):
  • During your first semester only.
  • Limited to once per academic level.
  • Eligible reasons include:
    • Initial difficulty with the English language.
    • Initial difficulty with reading requirements.
    • Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods.
    • Improper course level placement.
• Illness or Medical Conditions:
  • Requires documentation from a U.S. medical doctor or licensed clinical psychologist.
  • May allow you to enroll part time or take a temporary break.
  • Limited to a maximum of 12 months per academic level.
• To Complete Course of Study in the Current Term / Final Semester:
  • If you do not need a full course load to complete your degree.
  • Will allow you to enroll only in the minimum number of credits required to complete your program.
  • You may count a maximum of one online course toward your remaining credits.
  • If only one course is needed, it must be in person or hybrid.
  • Your program completion date must be in the requested semester.
  • Your I-20 program end date will be shortened to reflect completion of the program.

To apply for a Reduced Course Load:

• Apply before the semester begins.
  • Fall semester application opens July 1.
  • Spring semester application opens November 1.
  • Summer semester application opens March 1.
  • Requests submitted before the above dates will be denied for early submission.
• Remain enrolled full-time until your RCL has been approved.
• Submit the Reduced Course Load eForm in MyOISS.

J-1 Students:

You may qualify for an RCL for the following reasons:

• Academic:
  • May be used if you are placed in an improper course level.
  • Cannot be in the first or final semester.
  • Requires approval from an academic advisor.
• First Semester:
  • During your first semester only.
  • Limited to once per program level.
  • Eligible reasons include:
    • Initial difficulty with the English language.
    • Initial difficulty with reading requirements.
    • Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods.
• Illness or Medical Condition:
  • Requires documentation from a U.S. medical doctor or licensed clinical psychologist.
  • May allow you to enroll part time or take a temporary break.
  • Limited to a maximum of 12 months per academic level.
• To Complete Course of Study in the Current Term / Final Semester:
  • If you do not need a full course load to complete your degree.
  • Will allow you to enroll only in the minimum number of credits required to complete your program.
  • You may count a maximum of one online course toward your remaining credits.
  • If only one course is needed, it must be in person or hybrid.
  • Your program completion date must be in the requested semester.

To apply for a Reduced Course Load:

• Apply before the semester begins.
• Remain enrolled full-time until your RCL has been approved.
• Submit the Reduced Course Load eForm in MyOISS.

Dual enrollment allows F-1 students to take classes at another Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school while remaining enrolled at MSU.

To maintain your F-1 status, you must:

• Enroll in at least 50% of your total credits at MSU.
• Maintain full-time enrollment between your credits at MSU and the other institution.
• MSU credits + other institution credits = full-time enrollment.

OISS approval is required if:

• You need credits from another institution to meet your full-time enrollment requirement.

OISS approval is not required if:

• You are already enrolled full-time at MSU and are taking additional courses at another institution.
• Summer is your annual vacation, and you plan to take courses at another institution.

How to apply for dual enrollment:

• Apply before the semester begins.
• Meet with your academic or graduate advisor to discuss dual enrollment.
• Submit the dual enrollment eForm in MyOISS.

After the semester ends, you must provide proof of enrollment and completion of coursework, at the other institution.

Acceptable documentation includes:

• Final grades, or
• An official or unofficial transcript.

If you change your degree level at MSU, OISS must update your immigration document. Examples include:

• Bachelor’s to Master’s
• Master's to Doctoral
• Doctoral to Master’s

F-1 and J-1 Students:

Before OISS can update your Form I-20 or DS-2019, your new degree level must be updated in the Student Information System (SIS).

Work with your academic advisor or department to update your degree level in SIS. You should meet with your OISS advisor to review your eligibility and explain your next steps.

If your source of funding changes while you are studying at MSU, OISS must update your immigration document.

Complete the Student Record Update eForm in MyOISS. OISS will make the updates and email you an updated immigration document.

Read more about Financial Documentation Requirements.

F-1 Students:

You may be eligible if:

• You need additional time to complete the requirements for your primary major.
• You have maintained your F-1 status and made normal academic progress.
• The delay is due to compelling academic or medical reasons.

Extensions will not be approved for:

• Completing a minor.
• Employment purposes.

To apply:

• Confirm your new expected graduation date with your academic advisor or department.
• Submit the I-20 Extension eForm in MyOISS.
• Apply at least 14 calendar days before the program end date listed on your current Form I-20.

Extension requests cannot be processed after your program end date.

If your extension request is approved, OISS will issue an updated Form I-20 reflecting your new program end date.

J-1 Students:

You may be eligible if:

• You need additional time to complete the academic objectives of your J-1 program.
• You have sufficient funding available for the extension time period.

To apply:

• Confirm your new expected graduation date with your academic advisor or department.
• Submit the J-1 Extension for Degree-Seeking Students eForm in MyOISS.
• Apply at least 14 calendar days before the program end date listed on your current Form DS-2019.

Extension requests cannot be processed after your program end date.

If your extension is approved, OISS will issue an updated Form DS-2019 reflecting your new program end date.