Full-Time Enrollment

International students in F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant status must be enrolled full-time each semester (fall and spring). 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.

Minimum credit hours for full-time enrollment:

• Undergraduates - 12 credit hours/semester
• Graduate Students
  
  • 8 credit hours/semester; or
  • If graduate teaching/research assistant, a minimum of 6 credit hours/semester; or
  • If in thesis/dissertation stage, may enroll in 700F or 800 for 1 credit. Graduate students should check with Graduate Division for complete enrollment requirements.

Reduced Course Load (Part-Time Enrollment)

Under certain circumstances, international students may receive authorization from the ISS to enroll for less than full-time. RCL request forms are available at the ISS office or on the forms page. Requests must be submitted to and approved by ISS BEFORE a student drops below full-time.

The allowable reasons include:

• academic difficulties (including initial English language difficulties)
• having an illness or medical condition documented by a licensed physician
• preparation for doctoral comprehensive exams
• last semester of study that requires less than full time course load

Distance Education Restrictions

A distance education course for immigration purposes requires that all work be done on-line. International students are limited in the number of online distance education credit hours they may enroll in each semester.

International students enrolling in online distance education courses must adhere to the following guidelines per level of study in order to maintain immigration status:

1. Undergraduates must register for a minimum of 9 credit hours of regular classroom course work, plus 3 or more credit hours of online distance education course work each semester.

2. Graduates must register for a minimum of 5 credit hours of regular classroom course work, plus 3 or more credit hours of online distance education course work each semester.

Concurrent Enrollment

Students may enroll concurrently at UH Manoa and other school(s), as long as the combined course load constitutes a full time course load in addition to the following:

• Continue to make normal progress toward the degree/academic objective.
• Continue to take at least one credit-bearing class at UHM each semester concurrently enrolled.
• Enrolling concurrently at another campus in the UH system does not need advance authorization from the ISS.
• Enrolling concurrently at a non-UH campus will require advance authorization from an ISS adviser. Call the ISS to schedule an adviser appointment and bring 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. [see Health Insurance].