1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Centers, Institutes and Offices
  4. International Student Services
  5. Maintaining Status
  6. Enrollment

Enrollment

International students must register for and complete a full course-load each semester (not including summer). Students who drop below a full course-load without International Student Services (ISS) approval will be reported to SEVIS. If this occurs, your SEVIS record will be terminated. Full-time enrollment (during fall and spring semester) minimums are below:

  • Undergraduate students: 12 credit hours
  • Graduate students: 9 credit hours*
  • Summer enrollment: 12 credit hours** for undergraduate students, 6 credit hours** for graduate students

*Note: In order to maintain your immigration status, you cannot be enrolled in only GRD699, as this enrollment is only used for administrative purposes.

**Note: Summer enrollment for continuing students is optional and considered a vacation. However, if summer is your first or last semester, you must be enrolled full-time or have an approved reduced course load from ISS. Summer includes May I, May II, Summer I, and Summer II terms.

Online Courses

Online courses are noted by a blank computer icon in MyBradley. (Computer icons with H are hybrid courses and are not considered online for immigration purposes.) An international student is limited to how many online courses can be counted towards their full-time enrollment. An international student cannot be enrolled in only online courses during their duration of study, including during their final semester.

  • F-1 students – you can only count 3 credit hours of online coursework as part of your full-time enrollment requirement

Reduced Course Load

All international students must be approved for a reduced course load each term by ISS before dropping below or enrolling in less than full-time, including January or summer terms if they are your first or last semester. In order to be approved, student must first submit a completed Reduced Course Load Request. If you have questions regarding how a course drop will affect your tuition bill, please refer to the Student Financial Services' webpage.

The reasons for a possible reduced course load include the following:

  • Final Term – to complete your course of study requirements in the current term (must be enrolled in final requirements for program and complete within the term)
    • You will not be allowed to enroll in only online courses during the final term.
    • International Student Services does not recommend that you take a zero credit course during your final term. You should work with your advisor to make sure you are completing a credited course during your final term.
  • Medical – documented illness or medical condition (may be enrolled in nothing if recommended and approved; maximum of 12 months for degree program)
  • Academic Difficulties – improper course level placement, initial difficulty with reading requirements, initial difficulty with the English language, unfamiliarity with American teaching methods (first semester only; must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours)
    • You must be enrolled full-time upon request of a first semester RCL and a first semester RCL will only be considered after the 3rd Wednesday of the semester.
    • If you transferred directly from another U.S. institution, you are not eligible for a first semester RCL.

Documentation Required for Reduced Course Load

  • Reduced Course Load Request
    • Initial Semester RCL Advisor Form – will be an online form automatically sent to the advisor email you input.
      • Make sure to speak with your academic advisor or graduate coordinator about your Reduced Course Load before complete the request, so they know to expect the online advisor form.
    • Final Semester RCL Advisor Form - will be an online form automatically sent to the advisor email you input.
      • Make sure to speak with your academic advisor or graduate coordinator about your Reduced Course Load before complete the request, so they know to expect the online advisor form.

Concurrent Enrollment

Regulations allow an F-1 student to be enrolled in two different institutions at the same time (concurrent enrollment) as long as the enrollment at both schools amount to a full-time course of study and the majority of the course work is taken at Bradley University. If you wish to take a course at a different university, while still being enrolled at Bradley, you and your academic advisor/graduate coordinator will need to complete the Concurrent Enrollment Form and return it to ISS.