MAINTAINING STATUS/ENROLLMENT

Full-time Status Reminder

All students who are on F and J visas must be full time by the close of Fall open enrollment on 29 August 2003.

Full time at MSU is:
Undergraduates:12 credits per semester
Masters without assistantship: 9 credits per semester
Masters with assistantship: 6 credits per semester
Doctoral without assistantship: 6 credits per semester
Doctoral with assistantship: 3 credits per semester
Doctoral students who have passed all required comprehensive exams: 1 credit per semester

Please note that you must be pre-approved for underenrollment by your advisor and by OISS. Underenrollment is approved for ONLY one semester per degree. UNFORTUNATELY OISS WILL NOT BE IN A POSITION TO MAKE ANY EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.

Reasons for approving your one semester of underenrollment are:
Initial problems with English
Initial problems with reading requirements
Initial problems with American teaching methods
Improper course placement

Financial issues and course sequencing issues are NOT valid reasons for being underenrolled. Please consult the underenrollment status report form for more information.

In addition to one semester of authorized underenrollment, there are only two cases in which OISS will authorize you to be less than full time:
1) if you have a health problem and bring a note from a doctor or psychologist
2) if you are in your final semester and are completing the required credits for your degree.

If you are not enrolled full time and do not have a signed underenrollment form on file for Fall semester, OISS is required by the federal government to report that you are not authorized to be underenrolled. This could jeopardize your immigration status.

Please note that there are restrictions on the number of virtual credits a student can take. Also, students can be full time between two institutions. For example: a student can take some credits at MSU and some at Lansing Community College. Please consult OISS for more information on these options.