Check out the most frequently asked questions that HCU international students have. Don’t see your question? Contact the Office of International Student Services and we’d be happy to provide the answer!

Should you have any specific questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call or email the international office.

 

HCU Office of Admissions
7502 Fondren
Houston, TX 77074

 

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Schools are authorized by The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue an immigration document through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) that is used by foreign nationals to apply for a student visa to study in the United States. A school can also be authorized by the Department of State to use SEVIS to invite exchange visitors to come to their institution in the U. S. to study, teach, or perform research.

F-1 student 
F-1 is the most common immigration status for degree seeking international students. Prospective F-1 students will receive a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) document from the school, which they will generally use to apply for an F-1 visa at a US consulate or embassy. F-1 students are then admitted to the United States in F-1 status to study and must attend school full time except for their vacation break.

Many dependent statuses (given to individuals who are accompanying the principal nonimmigrant) are limited by age— most dependent children “age out” at 21 (e.g. J-2, H-4, etc.), and can no longer enjoy derivative status based on their parents’ status. So this may affect college-aged students; they will be in one status through age 20, and then need to change to another status that might have different requirements before they turn 21.

HCU policy defines anyone who is not a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, or undocumented to be an international student. HCU charges the same tuition for all students. International students of any immigration status enjoy the services provided by the HCU International Student Services office.

The following is a chart that lists visa types and if those in that status are eligible to study:

SEVP Handout: Nonimmigrants: Who Can Study?

HCU does not currently host J-1 exchange visitors or M-1 visa students.

Ability to study depends on a person’s immigration status. Students in the U.S. may have a variety of statuses.

Some may be here for another reason besides studying, but are allowed to attend classes in their current status. In these cases, study does not maintain their immigration status and is considered “incidental to status” (e.g., H-1B, H-4, J-2, E’s, etc.).

Some types of immigration statuses do not allow studying. In order to begin studying, the future student would have to leave and reenter in a student status or change their status within the United States. B tourists and business visitors cannot study at all, and F-2 dependents of F-1 students may only study less than full time. Students in categories that do not allow study would be considered in violation of their immigration status if they begin study before their status is changed.

International students in F-1 status are required to enroll in a full course of study during the academic year, as a condition of maintaining their immigration status. Generally, full time enrollment means at least 12 credit hours for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for graduate students. Only 1 online class (3 hours) can be counted toward full time enrollment. Any courses taken above the full time requirement many be online.

 

The rules for maintaining a full course of study for immigration purposes are complicated, as there are exceptions in some cases. Doctoral students may be considered as enrolled full time with less than 9 hours if they receive approval. Students may be approved for less than full time enrollment if they have Reduced Course Load authorization. Students should seek advice from the International Student Services office before dropping a course or planning any other schedule variations.

Yes, students need their immigration documents to reflect their current degree program and level of study. If a student plans to change majors or degree level, please have them contact the international office for procedures on how to obtain updated immigration documents.

At HCU, summer is generally considered a vacation period. This means that F-1 students can choose to take classes or not while in the U.S. for the summer. However, if summer is an F-1 student’s first or last semester, they must be enrolled full time. Alternatively, if summer is the student’s last semester and they need less than full time hours in order to complete their program, they may apply for a Reduced Course Load authorization.

F-1 international students can only count ONE online class toward their minimum number of credits as their full-time enrollment during their normal semesters. If you only need one course to complete your program of study, the course cannot be online or distance learning.

International students in other visa categories (i.e. H-4, L2) are exempt from this limitation.

According to U.S. immigration regulations, F-1 students cannot pursue online degrees.

International students in other visa categories (i.e. H-4, L2 etc.) are exempt from this restriction.

Under certain circumstances, F-1 students may receive authorization for a Reduced Course Load (RCL), which gives them permission to enroll below full-time and still maintain valid immigration status. These exceptions include: Illness/medical condition, Initial Difficulty with English Language, Initial Difficulty with Reading Requirements, Unfamiliarity with American Teaching Methods, Improper Course Level Placement, Complete Course of Study in Current Term. The school’s DSO must approve the RCL in SEVIS before the reduction in course load takes place, so any reduction should be discussed in advance with the International Office.

F-students may enroll concurrently as long as the combined enrollment amounts to a full time course of study. Students must attend another SEVIS-approved institution and consult with the International office.

International students wishing to pursue their study objectives at another SEVIS-approved institution must ensure the transfer of their immigration and academic record to another institution.

F-1 students must consult with the International Office to complete immigration SEVIS transfer if they wish to pursue their study objectives at another SEVIS approved institution. F-1 students will need to initiate the process to transfer their SEVIS record.

On the transfer release date entered into SEVIS by the transfer-out school, the new school can access the SEVIS record and process a new document for the program at the new school.

U.S. immigration regulations, under certain circumstances, allow international students to pursue part-time or full-time employment during the course of their studies.

F-1 students pursuing a full course of study may work on campus up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. When classes are not in session, they may work more than 20 hours. If students have specific questions about working on-campus, have them consult the International Office.

Off-campus work is prohibited in all categories unless it is specifically authorized under the regulations governing the student’s particular immigration category. Working without authorization is an immigration status violation that can make the student subject to deportation. Before accepting or engaging in any kind of employment, students should consult the International Office.