COVID Enrollment Updates & FAQs

2022-2023 Academic Year: Enrollment Requirements for International Students

On March 18th, 2022, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released guidance regarding international student enrollment requirements for Academic Year 2022-2023, which extends the requirements set forth for Fall 2020 for colleges and universities that are continuing to operate remotely. Kent State will return to in-person coursework in the Fall 2022 semester, and therefore the exceptions to in-person coursework are no longer available.

Full Course Load Requirements for F-1/J-1 International Students 

Continuing Students

If you are a continuing international student who has been continuously enrolled, has an active SEVIS record, but who is now physically located outside the U.S.:

  • Students with valid visas planning to return to Kent State may request an updated travel signature if your travel signature on page 2 of your I-20 is more than 1 year old. 
  • Continuing students without a valid visa may apply for and be granted a new visa.
  • If you have been issued an I-20 with a scanned or electronic signature, it will remain valid, so long as you carry a printed copy with your signature. 
  • If you plan to remain outside the U.S. and enroll as a full-time student in remote courses, we will NO LONGER  be able to maintain your SEVIS record as "ACTIVE," which means that the time you have previously accumulated studying in the U.S. will NOT be preserved for CPT and OPT considerations.

If you are a continuing F-1 student who was enrolled in the previous semester full-time, currently in the U.S., or returning for the upcoming semester:

  • Register for a full course of study if you have not already done so.  No more than one online course (maximum of 3 credits) can count toward the full course of study requirement.

If you are an F-1 student who is changing levels or transferring from another SEVIS-institution and you have not left the U.S.:

  • Register for a full course of study if you have not already done so. There is no limit to the number of remote classes that can count toward the full course of study requirement. 

Reduced Course Load (RCL)

An international student may be eligible for a Reduced Course Load reduction for the following reasons:

  • Academic Difficulty
  • Documented Illness, Medical, or Psychological Concern
  • Completion of Course of Study (Last Semester)
  • Thesis/Dissertation work requiring fewer than 8 credit hours

A student that believes they are eligible for an RCL must submit an RCL request. More information is available in the ISSS Student & Scholar Portal. 

New Students 

If you are a new student who is physically located outside the U.S. before the start of upcoming semester:

  • You may defer your admission to a later semester. If you decide to defer your admission, please complete the Deferral Request Process. Please note that not all programs permit a Spring or Summer semester start date.
  • Consider enrolling in online classes. Please note that if you begin courses online and are not able to obtain a visa later, your program may not offer a method to complete your program entirely online.
  • If you decide to begin your studies remotely, you must request that your I-20 start date be deferred, which can also be done through the Deferral Request Process.
  • Eligibility for CPT and OPT may be affected. To be eligible for CPT or OPT, you must have been fully enrolled in an academic program in a qualifying status for at least 1 academic year. If you are not physically present in the U.S., you are not considered to be in status (unless updated guidance from SEVP & DHS determines otherwise).

If you are a new student who plans to arrive to the U.S. physically for either Fall 2022 or Spring 2023:

  • Participate in International Student Orientation and the appropriate academic orientation (Destination Kent State - DKS for undergraduate students, or Graduate Student Orientation for graduate students. ESL students should participate in ESL Orientation & Placement Exam. 
  • Enroll in a full course of study with no more than one course (maximum of 3 credits) of distance learning/ remote course work. Undergraduate students must enroll in at least 12 credits, and graduate students must enroll in at least 8 credits.
  • Late Arrival Letters may be requested in the ISSS portal. if you have a visa appointment scheduled. The last date for late arrival for undergraduate students for Fall 2022 is August 31, 2022 and Spring 2023 is January 23, 2023. ESL & Graduate students may be considered on a case by case basis with permission of the academic or ESL department.

If you are transferring to Kent State from another SEVP college, university, or high school, were enrolled in the previous semester in your previous program and have not left the U.S.:

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find updates about travel restrictions?

Carefully consider any and all travel plans. There are a number of travel restrictions in place across the world.

Will I need to self-isolate/Quarantine?

What if I can't get a visa appointment?

  • You can request an expedited visa appointment by using a letter issued by Kent State. The request for this letter can be found here.
  • You may defer your admission to a later semester. If you decide to defer your admission, please submit the Deferral Request Form.
  • Consider enrolling in online classes. Please note that if you begin courses online and are not able to obtain a visa later, your program may not offer a method to complete your program entirely online. 
  • Eligibility for CPT and OPT may be impacted. To be eligible for CPT or OPT, you must have been fully enrolled in an academic program in a qualifying status for at least 1 academic year. If you are not physically present in the U.S., you are not considered to be in status.
  • Late Arrival Letters may be requested in the ISSS portal. if you have a visa appointment scheduled. The last date for late arrival for undergraduate students for Fall 2022 is August 31, 2022 and Spring 2023 is January 23, 2023. ESL & Graduate students may be considered on a case by case basis with permission of the academic or ESL department.

I am an incoming F-1 student. What is the difference between deferring my admission versus deferring my I-20?

  • Deferring your admission means to wait to start your studies to a later semester. You can defer your admission for up to one year. If you decide to defer your admission, please submit the Deferral Request Process.
  • Deferring your I-20 means that you intend to start studying remotely/online, but you do not plan to come to Kent State this semester. You can also defer your I-20 by completing the Deferral Request Process.

How Can I speak with an ISSS Advisor?

Make an appointment or call during phone advising.

Will my visa be canceled if I am studying from my home country?

If you have an F-1 visa, your visa will not be canceled if you are studying from your home country, even if your SEVIS record is terminated. The SEVIS termination would not affect your F-1 visa.

Where can I find more resources?

As always you should frequently check your Kent State email, read the ISSS Newsflash, and check the ISSS website at www.kent.edu/isss. 

How can I find out who my academic advisor or program coordinator is?

Start by looking under your Student Information in FlashLine. Here are the instructions: https://www.kent.edu/flashline/news/how-can-i-find-out-who-my-advisor. If that information is not available, instructions are below based on your education level:

I tried to schedule an appointment with my academic advisor on KSU advising but nothing is available in the next few days.

We recommend emailing or calling your academic department to help you connect with an academic advisor.

Does KSU international student health insurance cover COVID-19 testing?

Yes. The KSU international student health insurance covers all aspects of COVID-19. More information can be found here: https://www.kent.edu/policyreg/university-policy-regarding-international-students-requirement-have-health-insurance.

Am I eligible for the covid-19 vaccine as a new international student at kent State?

Yes! You are eligible and even encouraged to set up an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine upon your arrival to Kent State. You can learn more here: https://www.kent.edu/coronavirus/vaccine.

Will the Vaccine be covered by my kent state Student Health Insurance?

The U.S. government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all international students. 

what measures is KSU taking to keep me safe?

Kent State University’s reopening committees continue to work for a safe return to campus. To ensure an outstanding and safe experience for students, faculty, staff, and visitors, everyone should practice daily symptom checks and the Flashes Safe Eight principles: https://www.kent.edu/coronavirus/flashes-safe-eight#while-on-campus.

How can I advocate for Kent State’s International Students?

Numerous KSU student organizations are engaged in political advocacy in support of our international students

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