International Students in F-1 or J-1 status are prevented from dropping a course in MyUTK after the final day of Drop/Add (usually about one week after the first day of semester classes). If you are unable to drop a course in MyUTK, please follow the steps in this guide to drop a course. But, first please note that you must be enrolled full-time during your stay in the U.S.
Full-Time Enrollment
Students are required to enroll in a full-course of study while in the U.S. in F-1 status (8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)). This means that they must enroll “full-time” each fall and spring semester during their time in the U.S. in F-1 status. J-1 regulations also require students to enroll full-time. The undergraduate "full course of study" regulation at 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(B) generally requires an undergraduate student to register for a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, unless fewer credits are needed to complete the program in the final term of study. Graduate students are required to enroll in fewer hours as indicated in the chart below. If you have any questions about the number of hours required for you to enrollment full-time, please consult with an Immigration Advisor.
Full-Time Enrollment Chart
Student Type | Minimum Credit Hours | Online Hours that may be counted |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate students | 12 | 3 |
Grad students with no assistantship | 9 | 3 |
Grad students with assistantship below 20 hrs per week | 9 | 3 |
Grad students with assistantship of 20 hrs per week (50% time) | 6 | 3 |
How to Drop a Course
Step 1: Login to iVols and locate the “Course Drop Request” found in “F-1 Student Services”
Step 2: Open the Course Drop Request form.
Fill out this E-form. Next, submit the form.
Step 3: An ISSS Advisor will review your request by the next business day.
Once the advisor reviews the request, it will be either approved, denied (if you are not allowed to drop), or you will receive a follow-up email if we have any questions. In the vast majority of cases, the request will be approved. Once approved an email will be sent from ISSS to the registrar requesting the course be dropped manually from your course schedule. You will receive a copy of this email.
Step 4: The Registrar will drop the course.
You will receive a confirmation email once the course is dropped. You can confirm that the course has been dropped by checking your course schedule in MyUTK.