• What is academic probation?

• What is academic suspension?

• How does academic probation and suspension affect my status?

• What can I do if I develop a serious medical condition?

• Can I enroll in less-than full time credit?

• When can I go on vacation and travel?

• What is a visiting student?

• Can I enroll in online courses?

• Where do I notify a name and/or address change?

• What is registration at the International Student Office?

• Why is important that I register at the International Student Office?

• When should I register at the International Student Office?

Probation: Students are placed on academic probation if GPA falls below 2.0 (C average) at the end of any semester. They are removed from academic probation when their cumulative GPA once again reaches 2.0 or higher.

Suspension: Students who are on academic probation and who fail to achieve 2.0 cumulative GPA during the subsequent semester are automatically suspended from the College. However, they are allowed to submit a letter petitioning the Appeals Committee for readmittance without interruption of attendance.

In cases of academic probation, where the student is not refrained from enrolling full time, this administrative warning will not affect the student's status. The student falls out of status if he/she is not progressing towards the completion of the study program and is suspended. The ISO will react according to the recommendations and stipulations established by the Dean of Students.

Students who encounter a medical condition, will need to present a medical certification stating the illness 30 days after the occurrence of the illness. The student will not fall out of status if due to his/her medical condition he/she needs to decrease their credit load or withdraw. In order to keep their status current, the student will need to enroll the following semester. Students that do not enroll the following semester will fall out of status. If the medical condition extends for a period longer than two semesters, students will be strongly advised to return home in order to recuperate.

Students who ask for a medical leave of absence immediately after they enter the country will be denied, unless they prove that they have contracted a medical condition after arriving to the U.S. that restrains them from resuming their academic work when they return.

Students who are authorized to take a medical leave of absence can to work part-time as part of their F-1 benefits. If the medical condition provokes a severe economic situation, they can apply for severe economic hardship in order to work part time off campus. This is conditional to receiving a medical certification from a medical doctor stating that working will not interfere with the student's recuperation process. If both the illness and severe economic situation extends to more than an academic year, the student will have to return to his/her country of citizenship.

Students that return to their country of citizenship due to medical conditions are not guaranteed a readmission. This decision will be made by the Admissions Office.

Students will be considered in status despite a less-than 12 credit enrollment only if:

• He/she has less than 12 credit hours left to graduate;
• He/she has obtained a medical leave of absence;

Students are required to enroll full time for two semesters, which are considered the equivalent of an academic year. After having being enrolled for one academic year, they can take an annual vacation according to 8 C.F.R. § 214.2((f)(5)(iii)). The student may choose to enroll during this period, waving their option to an annual vacation in connection with that academic year. If the student chooses to take an annual vacation, he/she may work full time on campus.

Students who wish to travel to their "country of citizenship or permanent residence" during their annual vacation, will be able to do so. In order to reenter the U.S., they will need present carry their F-1 visas, a valid passport along with a properly endorsed I-20 & I-94.

Students who plan to travel to a third country-including Canada and Mexico-will have to contact the third country's embassy in order to learn about their traveling regulations and laws.

After a temporary absence the student may reenter the U.S. to resume his/her program of study. If a student has already graduated, he/she "has no basis for reentry to the U.S. as an F-1 student, unless he/she has either been admitted to a new program of study and has been issued the corresponding I-20 or I.N.S. has authorized optional practical training after completion of studies."

International students attending the College as visiting students will go through the same processes as regular students. Visiting students are encouraged to plan and process their transfers on time. The same services available to regular students will be available to visiting students.

International students may enroll in as many online courses as they desire, yet only 1 online course-3 credits- will be considered towards the 12 credits required to maintain your status. At the same time, only one course per semester will be considered towards the full-time course load.

When a student changes his/her name, the student must report the change to the International Student Office 10 business days after the name change is official. The same rule is applicable to changes in addresses.

Registration is the process through which a student confirms his/her attendance to the College at the beginning of the semester. This is done by appearing in person at the International Student Office and presenting your class schedule.