Maintaining Status

Students in F or J status are required to abide by various federal regulations in order to maintain immigration status. A few of these requirements include providing IAA with a current address, enrolling in a full course of study and keeping appropriate immigration documents up to date.

Immigration regulations require that F-1 students enroll in full course of study during their stay in the US. GGU defines a full course of study depending upon the academic level and degree program. The chart below summarizes enrollment requirements.

	Full Time Enrollment Requirements
Degree Level	Units Required
Undergraduate	12 units per academic term
Graduate	8 units per academic term or more
Doctorate	7 units per academic term or more

Only one cyber course may used to meet the full time enrollment requirement. Students may enroll in more than one cyber course after they have met the full time enrollment requirement. Full time enrollment also requires students to be enrolled over the course of the entire term. This means that students must enroll in at least one 16 week course or a combination of 8 week terms that include both B term and C term.

Students may be authorized to enroll in less than a full course of study if they have academic difficulties, a valid medical condition, or are eligible for a vacation term. Students must receive permission from IAA Services PRIOR to enrolling in a reduced course load or dropping below a full course of study. Failure to receive permission could jeopardize your immigration status.

Students are eligible for a vacation term after completing two, consecutive terms as full time students at Golden Gate University. Students should inform IAA Services of their wish to take a vacation term by submitting a Reduced Course Load Form to our office.

F and J visa holders are required to report a change of address within ten days of a move. Students may update their address by logging into ggu4you or by submitting a change of address form to GGU's Records Office.

If you have recently arrived from outside the United States, make sure that your I-94 card is marked "F-1" and "D/S" (duration of status) and that your I-20 is stamped in the top right-hand corner of page one. During your stay in the US you will want to be mindful of the following:

• You maintain a valid I-20 which reflects your current degree level and program of study. You are responsible for making sure that the dates on your I-20 are current and valid.
• If you are unable to finish all degree requirements before the completion date listed on your I-20, you must apply for a Program Extension before your I-20 expires. An extension cannot be granted after the program completion date has passed.
• Maintain a valid passport at all times. Contact your Embassy or Consulate to extend your passport.