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New International Graduate Student Admissions Requirements
Enrollment Policy for International Students
New International Graduate Student Admissions Requirements
The university is authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to admit international students on F-1 student visas. International newly admitted students must complete and submit a Confidential Financial Certification form and appropriate proof of funding to International Graduate Admissions. Before an I-20 can be issued, students must satisfy the financial eligibility requirements and receive their Letter of Admission from the Graduate College. The Graduate College will assess requests for issuance of new I-20s after these deadlines on a case-by-case basis. Transfer students located in the United States and UNLV students who are changing their level of degree are exempt from these deadlines. While the Graduate College will make every attempt to accommodate newly admitted international students, in many cases it is not possible for I-20s to be issued after July 1 if admitted for fall semester and December 1 if admitted for spring semester. Prior to arrival in the United States, the International Graduate Admissions staff should be contacted with any questions.
Once students have been successfully admitted, OISS is available to assist students with any issues students have while enrolling; assist and advise regarding employment eligibility and authorization related to international students and scholars; provide proactive guidance and support regarding visa, allowable travel, and some immigration issues; and facilitate their transition to the campus and the U.S. and be their primary contact for student visa rights and responsibilities during their time at UNLV. Current workshops pertaining to international students can be found on the OISS website as well.
Enrollment Policy for International Students
International students in F-1 or J-1 status should consult with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) to discuss enrollment requirements specific to their legal status in the U.S.
Below are the standard enrollment requirements at the time of publication of this Student Handbook. Please note that the U.S. government may issue new guidance that results in updated requirements for international students. When this occurs, OISS will contact impacted students, generally through your Rebelmail account. Any new guidance provided takes precedence over the requirements outlined herein.
Each fall and spring semester, international students must be registered as full-time students. Graduate students must be enrolled into courses that apply toward their degree. Dropped, audited, and withdrawn classes do not count. International students are allowed to take web-based classes, however, only a certain amount of credits can be web-based. It is incredibly important for international students to work closely, and stay in contact, with OISS to ensure compliance with all enrollment requirements, U.S. laws, and visa regulations.
Note about summer semester: If an international student begins their first semester of enrollment in the summer term, they still must be registered as full-time students. International students admitted in the summer term should be aware that it may be difficult to register full time depending on course availability and should consult with their graduate coordinator for academic advisement.
Full-Time Status: International students must be enrolled in nine credits to be considered full-time. If the student is a GA, they only need to enroll in six credits to be considered full-time. Allowable Web-based Credits: The amount of allowable web-based credits changes based on how many total credits the student is enrolled in.
- If an international student is enrolled in nine credits, three of them may be web based
- If an international student is enrolled in 12 credits, six of them may be web based
- If an international student with a GA is enrolled in six credits, three of them may be web based
- If an international student with a GA is enrolled in nine credits, six of them may be web based
In limited circumstances, international students may be eligible to enroll in fewer credits than described above. Requests under any of the following circumstances must be submitted to OISS before the start of the academic term and are subject to OISS approval.
- Students with documented medical illness or other concerns should contact OISS to discuss options for a reduced course load.
- Graduate students who have completed all coursework except their culminating experience may be eligible to enroll in only three credits during the semester in which they intend to graduate and may submit an International Student Reduced Enrollment Request Form, via their Grad Rebel Gateway account on the Forms tab under Additional Forms, to request approval from the Graduate College and their academic program.
- Doctoral students who have advanced to candidacy may be eligible for enrollment in only three credits per semester while still maintaining F-1 or J-1 status. They may submit an International Student Reduced Enrollment Request Form, via their Grad Rebel Gateway account on the Forms tab under Additional Forms, to request approval from the Graduate College and their academic program.
- Please note that all students holding a graduate assistantship must enroll in a minimum of six credits each semester without exception.
Refer to the Enrollment and Milestones section for more information on enrollment requirements.
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