Full-time Enrollment for Summer

SUMMER 2021 ALERT

ALL international summer students must complete the VSIS task in Cal Central. Due to U.S. government COVID guidance, Berkeley International Office is unable to issue I-20 visa documents for students to enter the U.S. from abroad for Summer Sessions 2021. F-1 students who have been in the U.S. in F-1 status since March 2020 may be eligible for an I-20 and must complete the VSIS task in Cal Central to request it.

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).

Examples:

I am enrolled in Session A only. 
My I-20 dates are 5/24/2021 - 7/2/2021.		 My full-time enrollment is 5 units.
I am enrolled in Session A and Session D. 
My I-20 dates are 5/24/2021 - 8/13/2021.		 My full-time enrollment is 10 units.
I am enrolled in Session C only. 
My I-20 dates are 6/21/2021 - 8/13/2021.		 My full-time enrollment is 6 units.
I am enrolled in Sessions C, D, and E. 
My I-20 dates are 6/21/2021 - 8/13/2021.		 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, there IS a limit in the number of online courses that count towards the full-time requirement.

  • 3 online units maximum toward full-time enrollment for Session A, B, C, or D only.
  • 3 online units maximum toward full-time enrollment for any combination of Sessions A, B, C, D, and E.
  • No (0) online units toward full-time enrollment for Session E only.
  • No (0) online units toward full-time enrollment for Session F only.

Example 1: The student is enrolled in Session C. The full-time enrollment requirement is 6 units. The student is taking one 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. 

Example 2: The student is enrolled in Session C. The student is taking one online course (4 units, but only 3 units count towards the full-time requirement) and on in-person course (2 units). 3 online + 2 in-person = 5. The student does NOT meet the full-time 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.