International Services Office Mississippi State University
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer

  
Navigation Menu
Spacer
Spacer
 About ISO
  • Staff
  • Mission
  • Contact Info
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
 Admission
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Transfer Eligibility
  • SEVIS Fee
  • Visa Interview
Spacer
Spacer
 Policies/FormsSpacer
Spacer
 Health InsuranceSpacer
Spacer
 ImmigrationSpacer
Spacer
 Tax InformationSpacer
Spacer
 OrientationSpacer
Spacer
 AssociationsSpacer
Spacer
 HomeSpacer
Spacer
Spacer

Spacer
International Services Office Policy

Exceptions to the Full Course of Study Requirements (F-1)

8 C.F.R. 214.2 (f)(6)(iii)

There are limited exceptions to the full course of study requirement. In the situations below, F-1 students are considered to be maintaining status even if they are not registered in a full course of study.
  • General
    • The International Services Office must authorize a reduced course load prior to the student reducing his or her course load. A student who drops below a full course of study without the prior approval of the ISO will be considered out of status.
  • Academic Difficulty
    • The ISO may authorize a reduced course load for a student experiencing academic difficulties, but only for the following reasons:
    • Initial difficulties with the English language
    • Initial difficulties with reading requirements
    • Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
    • Improper course level placement
    A reduced course load can be approved on the academic difficulty basis only once while pursuing a course of study at a particular level and must consist of at least six credit hours. It is expected that a reduced course load for academic difficulties would take place in a student's initial semester only. The student must resume a full course load at the next available semester.
    In order to be approved for a reduced course load for academic difficulties, the ISO must receive a letter from the student's advisor, prior to the student reducing his or her course load, requesting a reduced course load for academic difficulties. The letter must indicate the allowable reason for the academic difficulty along with a detailed explanation.
  • Illness or Medical Condition
    • The ISO may authorize a reduced course load due to a student's temporary illness or medical condition for a period of time not to exceed an aggregate 12 months.
    In order to authorize a reduced course load based upon medical reasons, the student must provide medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist, to the ISO prior to the student reducing his or her course load.
    The student must provide current medical documentation and the ISO must reauthorize the drop below full time for each new semester.

spacer
[ Search MSU - Campus Directory ] 
spacer
Last modified: 10/30/2003 || URL: http://www.iso.msstate.edu/policies/execpfullcourse.php
Technical problems, contact the Help Desk.
spacer
Division of Student Affairs