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LU Policy Number: ER.001
Effective Date: NR
Approval Date: NR
Revised Date: 8/11/2017
Purpose: Requirements for international students at Life University
Additional Authority: N/A
Scope: All Students (COC&CGUS) of Life University
Approval Authority: Provost/EVPAA
Responsible Authority: Enrollment & Recruitment, Student Services
Definitions: N/A
Policy Title
International Student Policy
Policy Statement
It is the responsibility of the international student to maintain lawful immigration status. The student is responsible for fully and properly complying with all U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, and Student Exchange and Visitor Program rules and regulations, as well as those of the federal, state and local government.
Immigration Documentation:
It is the international student’s responsibility to ensure that all visa and immigration documentation is valid, accurate and up to date. This includes, but is not limited to, student’s Form I-20s, passports, and visas. Passports should remain valid at all times. Students should contact their local embassy for renewal instructions if their passport will expire within the next six months. In order to enter and reenter the United States, students must possess a valid, unexpired visa. If a student’s visa has expired or will expire while travelling outside of the United States, they must apply for a new visa before entering the United States (certain exceptions may apply). Students are strongly encouraged to contact their DSO, USCIS, and/or the United States Customs and Border Protection agency for guidance.
International Student Reporting Requirements:
F-1 Students must contact their PDSO/DSO immediately if:
- Moving to a new address
- Requesting a program extension
- Changing programs, majors or degree levels
- Traveling outside of the United States
- Taking a leave of absence or transferring to a new school
- All other reportable events as designated by USCIS, DHS, CBP, Life University, and/or state and local government guidelines.
Failure to notify PDSO/DSO may result in student being out of status and termination of student form I-20.
Employment:
F-1 students may receive work authorization through their PDSO/DSO in certain cases such as:
- On-campus, part-time employment (not to exceed 20 hours per week)
- OPT (Optional Practical Training)
- CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
Working without prior PDSO/DSO authorization and approval will result in termination of student’s I-20. The student must then leave the United States immediately, and future entrance may be inhibited or barred.
Academic Guidelines:
International students must maintain both a full course load and minimum GPA requirements in a degree-seeking program. A full course load for international students and minimum GPA requirements are defined as follows:
Doctor of Chiropractic Program: International students enrolled in the Doctor of Chiropractic program must enroll in a minimum of 12 quarter hours per academic term and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Undergraduate Studies: International students enrolled in an undergraduate program as their primary program of study must enroll in a minimum of 12 quarter hours per academic term and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Graduate Studies: International students enrolled in a graduate program as their primary program of study must enroll in a minimum 9 quarter hours per academic term and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.
International Students must notify PDSO/DSO immediately upon learning of potential academic dismissal.
Exceptions to Full Course of Study
In certain instances, international students may be approved to enroll in a reduced course load. In most cases, students may be enrolled in a reduced course load for a maximum of one academic term. Requests for reduced course load approval must be resubmitted on a quarterly basis. A reduced course load is defined as follows:
Doctor of Chiropractic Program: Minimum 6 quarter hours
Undergraduate Studies: Minimum 6 quarter hours
Graduate Studies: Minimum 6 quarter hours
The following are eligible reasons for a reduced course load request and approval:
- Withdrawal due to improper course level placement
- Initial difficulty with the English language and/or with reading requirements
- Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods or reading requirements
- Medical Conditions
- Student is in final term of study
International students are responsible for arranging reduced course load approval with their DSO and providing all requested documentation prior to enrollment.
Annual Vacation:
Eligible students may take one annual vacation break per year for a duration of one quarter. Students are eligible for annual vacation only after completing three consecutive quarters of study, maintaining a full course load, and meeting minimum GPA requirements. Upon returning from annual vacation, students must enroll in a full course load for three consecutive quarters in order to be eligible for an additional annual break.
Distance learning and Transient Studies:
These courses are limited for F-1 students, and international students may only count a maximum of 1 course of distance learning toward their full-time course load requirements. Audited courses do not count toward a full course load requirement. International students who would like to engage in transient studies (meaning interested in taking courses at another Student and Exchange Visitor Program, SEVP, approved institution) must receive prior approval by their DSO.
Procedure(s)
N/A
Other Notes
NR=No Records
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