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¡á Registration Information for International Students
- Full-time
course load requirements
International
students on the F-1 and J-1 student visas must be enrolled as a full time
student each semester. Students
required to take English Language Institute (ELI) courses may count ELI credits
(3 credits per course) as part of their full-time course load.
- Undergraduates:
Full time enrollment for undergraduate international students is defined
as a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester.
- Graduate
Students: Full
time enrollment for graduate international students is defined as:
- A
minimum of 8 credit hours each semester enrolled.
- If
a graduate teaching or research assistant on .50% FTE or .25% FTE, a
minimum of 6 credit hours each semester enrolled
- While
writing a thesis or dissertation and enrolled in either 700F or 800 for
1 credit.
(Graduate students should check with Graduate Division if they have
questions on their full-time course load requirement.)
- Reduced
course load authorization requirements
Under certain circumstances, international students may
receive authorization from the ISS to enroll in a reduced
course load (RCL). Visit ISS to request a Request for Reduced
Course Load form or print from web site at
http://www.hawaii.edu/issmanoa/student_current.htm
(forms). The
allowable reasons include academic difficulties (including
initial English language difficulties), having an illness
or medical condition documented by a licensed physician,
and students in their last semester of study whose remaining
required credit load is less than full time.
- Distance
education course load restrictions
The Department
of Homeland Security restricts international students in the
US from enrolling in distance
education programs, which are offered completely online and require no physical presence.
Student
visa status assumes a student¡¯s physical presence on campus
is required and, therefore, enrollment in distance education
courses that do not require a student¡¯s physical presence
is restricted.
Condition: Students
may count only 3credits of distance education course work per
semester as part of their full-time course load (see examples
below).
Note:
-
courses, which utilize some distance education methodology,
but still require students to meet with professors in person,
take supervised exams on the Manoa campus, report to classrooms,
etc., are not considered ¡°distance education courses¡± for
visa purposes.
- Students may enroll in additional distance education courses after
meeting the condition above.
Example 1: An
undergraduate student wants to enroll in 9 credits of regular
course work and 6 credits of distance education.
This is allowed. The student met the full time minimum
12 credit requirement with only 3 credits of distance education,
thus enrolling in at least 9 credits in regular credit courses.
Example 2: A graduate student wants to enroll in 9 credits,
of which 6 credits are distance education.This is NOT allowed. Even though the graduate student
enrolled in the full time minimum 8 credit requirement, the
student applied more than 3 credits of distance education
courses and did not enroll in at least 5 credits in regular
credit courses.
For more information, call the ISS Office at 956-8613 to schedule and appointment with and advisor or email issmanoa@hawaii.edu
- Concurrent
enrollment requirement
Students
may enroll concurrently in other schools, as long as the combined course load
constitutes a full time courseload. Also:
- The
student will continue to make normal progress toward the degree listed on
the UHM I-20 form.
- The
student will continue to take at least one credit-bearing class at UHM
each semester concurrently enrolled.
- Students
enrolling concurrently at another campus in the UH system do not need
advance permission from the ISS to enroll at a second campus.
- Students
enrolling concurrently at a non-UH campus must see an ISS adviser to
receive permission for concurrent enrollment each semester.
Call the ISS to schedule an appointment (956-8613) and bring with
you proof of your registration at the other school.
Dates of the term at the other school should be similar to the
semester dates at UHM.
- Health
insurance requirement
UH policy stipulates that all non-immigrant students must obtain adequate health insurance as a condition of enrollment. New students registering for the first time at UHM will have a health insurance hold placed on their registration records, which will not be removed until documentation of health insurance has been approved by a health insurance officer. Continuing students are expected to review the procedures and to provide documentation for health insurance prior to the end of the registration period each semester. At the discretion of the university, registration holds may be used to monitor health insurance. For more information, visit the ISS Health Insurance links.
o
The UH Student Health Insurance plan offers coverage from the middle of August each year. It can be purchased at the beginning of each semester, or in advance for the entire year. The plan price and coverage is subject to changes each year. The Student Plan may be purchased on-line or by mail. For more information, click on the Health Insurance link.
o
Alternative insurance plans from reliable insurance providers may also be accepted per UH policy, as long as the alternative health insurance coverage meets adequate standards. A form to request approval of alternative insurance is updated each summer and posted on the ISS website (click on Health Insurance). Deadline to submit alternative insurance requests to the ISS is by the 1st day of classes for fall & spring semesters.
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