If you have questions regarding the requirements or are in a special situation please make an appointment to speak with an ISS advisor.
Full-Time Enrollment
International students in F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant status must be enrolled full-time each semester (fall and spring) in order to maintain valid student visa status. Students required to take English Language Institute (ELI) courses are allowed to count each ELI course as 3 credit hours toward meeting their full-time course load requirement.
NOTE: At the end of semester, ELI courses will be listed with 0 credits, per University policy. However, even though ELI courses do not count toward a degree, ELI coursework does fulfill graduation requirements.
Minimum credit hours for full-time enrollment:
| Level of Study | Minimum full-time enrollment requirement each semester |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 12 credit hours |
| Graduate | 8 credit hours |
| Graduate w/ Graduate Assistantship* | 6 credit hours |
| Graduate in thesis/dissertation stage | 1 credit hour of 700F, 800, or LSJD 500 |
| Graduate in PSY major, needing PSY778 | 1 credit hour of PSY 778 |
*Graduate w/ Graduate Assistantship is defined as a student who has been awarded a Teaching or Research Assistantship with Tuition Waiver.
Reduced Course Load (Part-Time Enrollment)
Under certain circumstances, international students may receive authorization from the ISS to enroll for less than full-time while maintaining their international student status. 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.
Please note: Students who are sponsored, on exchange, on scholarship or on government study loan may have
additional expectations or requirements. It is the student's responsibility to check with their sponsor, home university
institution, scholarship or loan provider to identify if they have the minimum credit requirements to maintain their status in
these programs. Students should also consider potential issues with reduced course load, such as eligibility to work on
campus, living at the dorm or receiving other benefits such as health insurance coverage. Please check with the appropriate
offices
The allowable reasons include:
- academic difficulties (including initial English language difficulties)
- having an illness or medical condition documented by a licensed physician
- preparation for and taking doctoral comprehensive exams
- last semester of study that requires less than full time course load
Online Class and Program Restrictions for F-1 and J-1 Students
Online Classes
F-1 and J-1 students may enroll in online classes. But online class enrollment has certain restrictions that affect full-time enrollment requirements and student visa status in the U.S.
Completely Online Classes
Due to online class restrictions, F-1 and J-1 students may not enroll in completely online programs.
General Definitions
Online classes and completely online programs (degree and/or certificate) do not require any physical presence in the classroom and are subject to enrollment restrictions.
For F Students: Hybrid classes, where coursework is completed through a combination of online and in-class participation can be considered as in-person courses towards full-time requirements.
For J Students: Hybrid classes at UH Mānoa are currently considered as online classes in regards to J-1 students full-time course requirements. Beginning fall 2023, J-1 students may count one (3 credits) of online OR hybrid class towards full-time requirements.
Note 1: Different Online Class Restrictions
F-1 immigration regulations are different from J-1 immigration regulations with regard to online class restrictions affecting full-time enrollment requirements. (See chart above for full-time enrollment requirements.)
- F-1 Students: Per F-1 regulations, F-1 students may only apply 3 online credit hours to meet the minimum full-time enrollment requirement. After the minimum full-time enrollment requirement has been met, students may enroll in additional online classes. Therefore, if enrolling in online classes:
- Undergraduate students must register for a minimum of 9 credit hours of in-class or hybrid classes, plus 3 (or more) online credit hours.
- Graduate students must register for a minimum of 5 credit hours of in-class or hybrid classes, plus 3 (or more) online credit hours.
- Graduate Assistants must register for a minimum of 3 credit hours of in-class or hybridclasses, plus 3 (or more) online credit hours.
- J-1 Students: Per J-1 regulations, J-1 students may only apply 3 credit hours of online or hybrid class to meet the minimum full-time enrollment requirement. Therefore, if enrolling in online or hybrid classes:
- Undergraduate students must register for a minimum of 9 credit hours of in-class, plus 3 (or more) online or hybrid credit hours.
- Graduate students must register for a minimum of 5 credit hours of in-class, plus 3 (or more) online or hybrid credit hours.
- Graduate Assistants must register for a minimum of 3 credit hours of in-class, plus 3 (or more) online or hybrid credit hours.
Note 2: Students with Other Visa Statuses
If a student has a non-immigrant visa status other than F-1 or J-1 student visa status (e.g., J-2 dependent of a J-1 student, H-1B worker, H-4 dependent of H-1B, etc.) then online class restrictions do not apply.
Note 3: Summer Enrollment
In general, online class restrictions do not apply to summer term enrollment unless the student is enrolled in summer term as his/her final term. See Note 4.
Note 4: Last Semester/Last Term
If students are in their last semester or term and need only one course to complete their program of study (or graduate), the course cannot be completed through online coursework. This restriction applies to completion of program occurring during the fall or spring semesters and summer terms.
If you have any questions, please schedule an appointment with an ISS advisor.
Concurrent Enrollment
Students may enroll concurrently at UH Mānoa 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 UH Mānoa each semester concurrently enrolled.
- Enrolling concurrently at another campus in the UH system (other than Windward Community College) does not need advance authorization from the ISS.
- Enrolling concurrently at a non-UH campus will require advance authorization from an ISS advisor. You should schedule an ISS advisor 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 UH Mānoa.
As of Spring 2023: Currently credits from Windward Community College (WCC) cannot be accepted for your international status. Please schedule an appointment with an ISS advisor if courses from WCC are required for your situation.
Concurrent Degrees
F-1 students may enroll in concurrent degrees at UH Mānoa, but first and foremost, students must be making normal progress and maintaining a full time course of study for the first degree printed on the I-20 form. Students are only eligible for immigration benefits such as reduced course load, curricular practical training, optional practical training for the first degree but not for the secondary degree.
HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT
UH policy stipulates that all non-immigrant students must obtain adequate health insurance as a condition of enrollment. Read more on the Health Insurance page.