Guidance regarding Spring 2021 enrollment
On Wednesday, December 9, a U.S. media report indicated that federal guidance regarding online and hybrid enrollment for international students will remain the same for the spring term, according to a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program. A formal announcement has not yet been made or posted on government websites, but it appears that this report is valid. We urge students to continue checking their email over winter break, as we will continue to send updates as needed.
Guidance from Fall 2020 being extended to Spring 2021 means that F-1 students who were already in the U.S. in legal status on March 9, 2020 and have continued to maintain status are eligible to take a fully online course load in Spring 2021 and maintain legal status. Students who entered the U.S. with an initial I-20 for Fall 2020 or who plan to do so for Spring 2021 must enroll in at least one in-person course for Spring 2021. Keep in mind that hybrid courses that meet face-to-face at least 50% of the time can be considered in-person.
