Santa Clara University

As an F-1 student, you are admitted to the United States in F-1 status for a period known as "duration of status" (D/S). It is extremely important for a nonimmigrant to maintain his or her status while in the United States. Failure to maintain the terms and conditions of nonimmigrant status is a ground for deportation under I.N.A.§237(a)(1)(C)(i).

TO MAINTAIN F-1 STATUS, A STUDENT MUST:

1. Maintain a valid passport and I-20 document
2. Enroll at the school you are authorized to attend
3. Remain in the United States for no longer than 60 days after completing the full course of study, unless prior to that time the student has followed procedures for applying for practical training, moving educational levels, or school transfer
4. Report a change of address by updating Ecampus and sending an email to the ISS advisor or filing out the change of address form at the ISS office.  
5. Report a change in your legal name or dependent's legal name to International Student Services within 10 days of this action occurring
6. Limit on-campus employment to 20 hours a week while school is in session
7. Do Not work off-campus without authorization. (Please go to Employment in the U.S. for more information)
8. Pursue a full course of study and make normal progress towards the completion of the course of study before the expiration of the program completion date on the SCU issued visa document. Full-course of study and full-time study, except during the summer school breaks, are defined by Santa Clara University as follows:

• Undergraduates               12 units per quarter
• Law                                 8 units per semester
• L.L.M.                             3 units in summer, 8 units first semester (total of 24 units should be completed in a year)
• CP&E                              9 units per quarter
• MBA                               9 units per quarter
• MSIS (Master of Science in Information Systems) 9 units per quarter
• Pastoral Ministries            8 units per quarter
• Graduate Engineering        8 units per quarter

Very Important:  Please note that a student who drops below a full course of study without the prior approval of the Designated School Official (DSO) will be considered out of status.  The importance of notifying the DSO and obtaining permission for withdrawal from classes cannot be overemphasized. All F-1 students wishing to take a reduced course load MUST see an advisor in International Student Services BEFORE doing so.  If a student has any special circumstances, always seek the advice of one of the International Student Counselors on the maintenance of F-1 status immediately.