Reduced Enrollment

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires all F-1 students to be full-time enrolled each long semester (fall and spring) and, in some cases, summer sessions, in order to maintain F-1 status. See the full-time enrollment requirements webpage for more information about required semesters.

Occasionally an F-1 student can be authorized by the UT Dallas ISSO to take a reduced course load and still maintain F-1 status.

In order to maintain F-1 status, a student must obtain written authorization from an international student advisor prior to reducing his or her course load.

DHS provides only five exceptions to the full-time enrollment requirement. Students in the following situations may be eligible for reduced enrollment, if documented by an international student advisor and the appropriate academic or medical professionals:

• Initial difficulties with the English language
• Initial difficulties with reading requirements
• Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
• Improper course level placement
• Serious medical illness or condition

There are a number of eligibility requirements and restrictions. Please speak to an international student advisor for more information.