Register for and complete a full-time course of study in the fall and spring semesters. Never work on or off campus without proper authorization. A full-time undergraduate degree student is one who is enrolled for at least 12 credit hours for fall or spring semester or 6 semester hours for a summer term. Undergraduate degree students are considered part time when they are enrolled for fewer than the hours described above. A full-time graduate in the summer term is one who is enrolled for at least three semester hours in course work numbered 500 or above, or four semester hours in a combination of course work, or any number of thesis hours.
Most students enter the U.S. and never have to worry about falling out of status.
For example, you could be prevented from re-entering the U.S. for a long period, from three to ten years, depending on the length of your status violation. If you remain out of status for more than 360 days, you may not re-enter the U.S. for ten years. If you fall out of status for any reason, meet with your International Student Advisor, Randy Kouba, Director of Admissions and Records, immediately. Simply registering full-time in the next semester or stopping the unauthorized work does not put you back in status. There are steps you can take with INS to recover your status, but the sooner you begin the better your chances for approval.