In general, if F-1/J-1 students are unable to arrive in time for International Student Orientation, there typically is accommodation that can be made for a later arrival up to a certain date.
Important Dates to Consider
- New International Student Orientation: an in-person program for all international students.
- First day of classes for the semester.
- Last day to schedule classes for the semester (per LSU Academic Calendar, this is the final date to add courses and make section changes).
Ideally, new F-1/J-1 students should arrive in time to attend International Student Orientation since they participate in other activities related to their LSU course registration during that time and during the week before classes begin.
The last date a new student should arrive to LSU is the day before the last day to schedule classes. If a student arrives to LSU and is unable to schedule classes and complete course registration, the student could be at risk of losing their F-1/J-1 status.
Late Arrival Concerns
Please be aware that
- A late arrival may cause delays with course registration and could lead to late registration fees.
- A late arrival could also delay any on-campus employment (like assistantship appointments).
- Upon entry to the United States, U.S. Immigration regulations require that F-1/J-1 students enroll as full-time students to maintain the F-1/J-1 student status. Being fully enrolled includes scheduling classes and completing course registration.
- F-1/J-1 students can count only 1 course, or no more than 3 credit hours, of 100% online/web-based courses toward their full-time enrollment.
Special Note About Summer Semester Intake
If summer is the first semester of enrollment for an F-1/J-1 student, they must enroll in 6 credit hours to be a full-time student for summer. Any subsequent summer semesters are considered "optional" enrollment terms from the U.S. Immigration perspective.
The summer semester consists of two sessions: the first beginning in May, and the second starting in July. Our office is authorized to issue I-20s for the first session only. This means that the student would need to either
- arrive in May and enroll as a full-time student.
- defer their admission to the fall semester, if allowed. (Depending on their original admission term, the student may need to re-apply to join for fall.)
We recommend the department/academic advisor discuss with the student which courses are offered over the two summer sessions so that the student takes 3 credit hours in each session, if possible. One class must be in the first summer session so that our office can
- report their summer semester arrival and official full-time enrollment.
- activate their F-1/J-1 SEVIS Immigration record during our SEVIS reporting period.
What If the Student Can't Arrive in Time?
If the student is unable to arrive to LSU by the day before the last day to schedule classes, these are the options they have:
- Defer to a future semester, if allowed.
- Re-apply for admission if unable to defer.
ISS does not have the capability to defer admission in the LSU system; this step would need to be done by the appropriate Admissions Office (e.g.: Graduate School). If the admission is deferred, ISS would be made aware via Slate queries. We would email the student regarding an updated I-20, since the program start date on the I-20 must match the semester to which the student has been admitted.
Note: If a student received LSU funding and that funding will be held/deferred, the student will need an updated award/offer letter indicating the new funding start date for receipt of an updated I-20, as well as to bring the updated award/offer to the U.S. Consulate.