Full-time Enrollment for Summer

Do international students have to be enrolled full-time in summer?

Full-time enrollment is required for international students with a UC Berkeley I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) with a summer start date. It must be maintained during the entire period noted on the I-20 or DS-2019. Dropping below full-time, or withdrawing without approval from Berkeley International Office, may result in a violation of your immigration status.

Contact a Berkeley International Office adviser if you face unexpected, extreme circumstances and are considering dropping below full-time only after you arrive. I-20s will not be issued to students enrolled less than full-time. Waitlisted courses do not count toward full-time enrollment.

How many units is full-time enrollment in summer?

You must enroll full-time based on your session(s) of enrollment. Please see the chart below (click to enlarge).

Chart showing dates for Summer Session enrollment and full-time requirements

Examples:

I am enrolled in Session A only. 
My I-20 dates are 5/23/2022 - 7/1/2022.		 My full-time enrollment is 5 units.
I am enrolled in Session A and Session D. 
My I-20 dates are 5/23/2022 - 8/12/2022.		 My full-time enrollment is 10 units.
I am enrolled in Session C only. 
My I-20 dates are 6/21/2022 - 8/12/2022.		 My full-time enrollment is 6 units.
I am enrolled in Sessions C, D, and E. 
My I-20 dates are 6/21/2022 - 8/12/2022.		 My full-time enrollment is 6 units.

Can I take online courses?

There is no limit to the number of online courses you can take. However, if you are studying in the U.S. for Summer 2022 ONLY, you will likely want to be enrolled in at least one course with in-person instructional mode during the first session you will be entering the U.S. to attend. If you are enrolled in ONLY online units in your first session, that enrollment will not count towards your full-time requirements, and your I-20 start date will begin from your session with in-person enrollment. See below for examples.

Berkeley’s instructional model is primarily in-person, but it includes hybrid and remote instruction as well. If you enter the U.S. with an I-20/DS-2019 start date for Summer 2022, you must not be enrolled in 100 percent remote instruction for Summer 2022.

Example 1: The student is enrolled in Session A only. The full-time enrollment requirement is 5 units. The student is taking 1 online course (3 units) and one in-person course (3 units). 3 online + 3 in-person = 6 units. The student meets the full-time requirement, and the in-person requirement. 

Example 2: The student is enrolled in Session A and C. The full-time enrollment requirement is 10 units. The student is taking 1 in-person course (4 units) in Session A and 2 online courses (6 units) in Session C. 4 online + 6 in-person = 10. The student meets the full-time requirement, and the in-person requirement (because their session with online enrollment is AFTER their session with in-person enrollment)

Example 3: The student is enrolled in Session A and C. The full-time enrollment requirement would normally be 10 units. However, the student is taking 1 online course (4 units) in Session A and 2 in-person course (6 units) in Session C. Even though they are enrolled in Session A, because it is fully online enrollment, it is not considered for immigration purposes. The student's I-20 and their full-time requirements will be based on their Session C enrollment only. Their I-20 will be issued with a start date of June 21 (Session C start date) and their full-time enrollment requirement is 6 units. Since they are enrolled in 6 units in Session C with at least one in-person course, they meet the full-time requirement, and the in-person requirement.

Can I add/drop classes?

You can add and drop classes as long as (1) you stay enrolled in session(s) that match the dates on your I-20 and (2) you stay enrolled full-time according to those dates. Before you drop or add a class, please check the Summer Sessions deadlines(link is external) for adding and dropping classes. Further information on how to add and drop classes can be found on the Summer Sessions Enrollment Changes for International Students(link is external) page.

Can I change my session(s)?

Take careful note of the dates indicated on your I-20 or DS-2019. You are required to attend classes during that entire period of time. Changing session dates after your I-20 or DS-2019 has been issued is not allowed. If you are unable to attend classes during the entire period listed on your I-20 or DS-2019, you must contact biosummer@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail) immediately.

Other policies and procedures for making schedule changes can be found on the Summer Sessions(link is external) website.

What if I have a valid I-20/DS-2019 from another U.S. school?

If you are an F-1 or J-1 student from another U.S. institution who is attending Berkeley Summer Sessions during your semester break AND you are enrolled and will return to your previous school in the Fall, you may not need an I-20/DS-2019 from UC Berkeley. Please complete VSIS to confirm this. If you do not need and do not receive an I-20/DS-2019 from UC Berkeley, you are not required to enroll full-time during Summer Sessions. Make sure that your current I-20/DS-2019 is valid and will not expire before/during classes at UC Berkeley. Talk to your school's International Adviser to make sure you follow correct procedures to attend a different school during your semester break and for other details.