International Student Enrollment Information

Exceptions	Guidelines
Illness or Medical Condition	Cannot exceed 12 month aggregate per program level May excuse a student from all classes Student must provide medical documentation from a licensed: Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Clinical Psychologist The International Office must renew the RCL each term, based on new or continuing medical information May be used nonstop or at different times during a program level.  Start date cannot begin before the RCL approval.
Academic Difficulties, including: Improper course level placement Initial difficulty with reading requirements Initial difficulty with the English language Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods	Can only be used in your first semester at Kutztown University.  Student must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits.  Student must be enrolled full course for the next semester. RCL start and end dates must correspond to the school session start and end dates RCL may be approved with back dated start dates.
To Complete Course of Study In Current Term	Can only be used in your final semester at Kutztown University if you can complete the program with fewer classes.  Student must be enrolled in at least one class. RCL start and end dates must correspond to the school session start and end dates RCL may be approved with back dated start dates.

A student who wishes to drop below full time must obtain the approval from a DSO in advance, regardless what the reason might be. A student who drops below a full course of study (after the drop-add period) without prior approval of a DSO will be considered out of status. 

NOTE: If approved for reduced course load, you are still eligible for on-campus employment benefits.

How to Apply for a Reduced Course Load

Step 1: Meet with your academic advisor or licensed medical professional physician (DO, MD or licensed clinical psychologist) and request a letter. The letter must be printed on official letterhead and contain contact information of the person who signed the letter.

• Completion of Studies: A letter from your academic advisor confirming that you are expected to complete degree requirements by [date] and specifying the minimum number of credits you need to be enrolled in the final term.
• Academic Difficulties: A letter from your academic advisor recommending a Reduced Course Load on the basis of [insert one of four academic difficulty reasons] and elaborating on the circumstances. The specific course should be mentioned if applicable. The letter must state the semester the RCL is recommended.
• Medical Conditions: A letter from a licensed medical physician, doctor of osteopathy or licensed clinical psychologist recommending a Reduced Course Load on the basis of a medical condition for which you are receiving care. The letter does not need to detail the diagnosis or treatment but must specify whether the recommendation is for part-time study or no study (0 credits). The letter cannot be dated more than 30 days before the start of the term for which the RCL is requested. The letter must state the semester the RCL is recommended.

Step 2: Send the letter together to international@kutztown.edu with the email subject as "Request for Reduced Course Load". 

Step 3: Complete a Reduced Course Load Request Form. 

Step 4: The International Office will determine your eligibility for RCL, report your RCL to SEVIS, and may generate a new I-20 for you, if necessary. You will receive an email notification once a determination is made on your RCL request. 

F-1 students are eligible for simultaneous enrollment with a combination of courses at Kutztown University and another college or university, only if authorized by the Office of International Education and Global Engagement. 

• A student wishing to be a guest student at another institution for incidental courses while maintaining full-time enrollment or during a winter or summer term do not need to be issued an I-20 for concurrent enrollment.

Eligibility Requirements

An F-1 student at Kutztown University may apply to enroll concurrently at Kutztown University and another SEVIS-approved school provided that all of the following conditions are met:

• The combined credits for which the student is enrolled are the equivalent of a full course of study. 
• The student must be enrolled [taking classes] at Kutztown University. Students must be registered for at least one credit at Kutztown University during all terms including the final term
• Kutztown University must issue and maintain the SEVIS I-20, handle all SEVIS reporting requirements, and ensure that the student is pursuing a full course of study. Students who wish to be admitted, enroll, and go to classes full time at an institution other than Kutztown University need to request a transfer to the new institution.
• Course work at the other school may not be audited or non-credit. Credit must be transferable to Kutztown University. This must be confirmed by a letter from an academic advisor at Kutztown University. 
• A student wishing to be a guest student at another institution for incidental courses while maintaining full-time enrollment or during a winter or summer term do not need to be issued an I-20 for concurrent enrollment.

How to Apply for Concurrent Enrollment

Concurrent enrollment must be approved every semester. This procedure must be followed for each term of concurrent enrollment.

Step 1: Gather the following documents:

• Letter from your Kutztown University department academic advisor, indicating that you have permission for this enrollment and that the credits earned at the other school will be counted toward your degree at Kutztown University. The letter must also indicate the number of credits to be taken at each school.
• Proof of registration in classes from the concurrent school, indicating that you are enrolled such as a letter from the Registrar's Office or equivalent office or a copy of your unofficial transcript indicating in-progress courses. 

Step 2: Send all documents together to international@kutztown.edu with the email subject as "Request for Concurrent Enrollment"

Step 3: The International Office will determine your eligibility for Concurrent Enrollment, report your Concurrent Enrollment to SEVIS, and will generate a new I-20 for you. The name of the other (concurrent) school where you are enrolled will be clearly recorded in the remarks section of your I-20. You will receive an email notification once a determination is made on your request.  

Your are required to finish your program of study by the program end date on your Form I-20. The end date is established by the International Office to reflect the average length of time it should take you to complete your degree or program requirements. If, during the course of your studies it becomes necessary to extend your program dates, the International Office can provide you an updated Form I-20. 

Program Extension Request Form

Eligibility Criteria

In order to obtain a program extension, you must show that you have continually maintained status and that the extension is needed for compelling academic or medical reasons, such as a change of major or research topic, unexpected research problems, or a documented illness. Delays in completing your program caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extension approval.

Extension of stay can be granted only for documented academic or medical reasons. You may be eligible for an extension if the following criteria are met:

• The delay was caused by documented academic or medical circumstances,
• You have sufficient financial resources to fund your studies and living expenses, and
• The extension is requested in a timely manner, with sufficient time for processing before the current program end date

If your program end date has passed or you do not meet the eligibility requirements to apply for a program extension, it will be necessary to file for reinstatement to F-1 status with USCIS, for which you will have to pay a substantial fee or to travel and regain your F-1 status with a new initial Form I-20. In the case of traveling with a new initial Form I-20, you will lose any time accumulated towards meeting the one-year eligibility requirement for CPT and OPT. In addition, failure to apply for an extension of stay in a timely manner is a violation of F-1 regulations.

The following are NOT valid reasons for I-20 extensions:

• To enroll in extra courses or repeat the same course for personal interest or to improve your GPA.
• To engage in research on or off-campus.
• To finish pending coursework for an incomplete grade.
• To engage in non-required Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

An I-20 which has already passed the program end date cannot be extended. 

How to Request an Extension

Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your need for additional time to complete your degree program. You are required to submit the Program Extension Request Form signed by your academic advisor with any supporting documents, such as academic or medical records. Make an appointment with a Designated School Official to discuss your request for program extension.

We strongly recommend that you submit the extension request at least 1-2 months prior to the expiration of your current I-20 form. If approved, keep the new I-20 with the new program end date and all previous I-20 forms that you have been issued. They must be submitted upon request to an immigration officer when you travel outside the U.S. or for future immigration petitions.

NOTE: If you are enrolled in multiple degree/major programs of study, you will need to have your request for a program extension endorsed by all of your academic advisors.