International undergraduate students (students, you, your) who attend the University of La Verne must maintain enrollment standards that meet specific obligations to avoid endangering their F-1 Student Visas and/or sponsorship funding sources.
Although all international students will have student visa obligations, not all students will have sponsored funding sources.
The Role of Academic Advisors
Academic advisors have institutional obligations to ensure that students follow published university academic policies to degree completion. They also have an obligation to make a good faith effort to guide students toward the appropriate course requirements to this end. Academic advisors cannot “police” students’ registration behaviors beyond the advice they give students who should know (better than the advisor) what the sponsorship rules are that they should follow to protect their sponsorship eligibility (who can be many, with different sets of policies) that can be different from government student visa regulations.
The Role of Students
Students have legal obligations as international visa holders to understand the allowances and restrictions that apply to them when they register for courses to maintain their student visas in good standing with the U.S. Government.
It is the student’s personal responsibility to follow specific rules that are imposed on them by their financial sponsors.
All students–sponsored or not–should self-identify specific registration restrictions they have with their academic advisors. For example:
- If your financial sponsor limits your enrollment to ONE (1) “online” course, why would you exceed this limit?
- If your advisor recommends taking a course for general education that is “online” you should feel free–personally obligated–to inform your advisor that you are “not allowed” to take an online course and to recommend an alternative “on-ground” course that aligns with your sponsor’s guidelines.
More below.
F-1 Student Visas
International undergraduate students who attend the University of La Verne must maintain specific enrollment standards to avoid endangering their I-20 Form and F1 visa. Students must keep to the following minimum standards:
- Maintain full-time enrollment (at least 12 semester hours) to keep their I-20 in Active status.
- Classes must be in-person (“on ground”) on the La Verne campus.
- Only one (1) online course is allowed per academic term (fall or spring) that can count towards your full-time enrollment, and only if the other courses are in-person classes.
Withdrawal from Courses:
International students that need to withdraw from a course should immediately consult with the Office of International Services and Engagement as it may impact their full-time status and jeopardize their F-1 visa.
Part-Time Eligibility
Students are eligible to register for less than full-time units during the first or last semester of their program by completing a “reduced course load” form signed by their academic advisor. The form can be downloaded from the Office of International Services & Engagement.
Concurrent Enrollment:
If the student deems it necessary to enroll in a course from another college or university, and this course is online (not on-ground/in-person) must ALSO carry a course on-ground/in-person at the University of La Verne to keep their I-20 in Active status. This arrangement is called “concurrent enrollment”. Consult with the Office of International Services & Engagement for approval prior to registering (linked above).
Summer Registration:
Summer is optional for international students who are continuing their program. Students who desire to register in summer session at ULV or transfer from another college or university may enroll in any course modality.
Transfer to Another College or University:
Students who desire to transfer to another college or university must also transfer their I-20 to the new college or university. Eligibility for transfer is either at the start or end of the semester.
Program Extension:
Students that need to extend their program end date, must also extend their I-20 by filling out the Extension of Stay Form and have it approved by their academic advisor (demonstrating academic reasons, medical conditions, and/or other compelling circumstances for the delay).
More Information:
Other information, including an FAQ section are posted on the Office of International Services & Engagement website. They can also be reached in other ways:
Email: international@laverne.edu | Phone: (909) 448-4331 | In-person: The Ludwick Center (Map)
Sponsorship Obligations
International college students often rely on financial sponsors to cover their educational and living expenses while studying abroad (in the United States, at La Verne). As noted above, these are not legal obligations but personal obligations between the student and their financial sponsor. Here are some key obligations related to financial sponsorship that we think students should keep in mind:
- Affidavit of Support: An Affidavit of Support is a document that guarantees financial support for a foreign national who wishes to enter and stay in the United States. It is typically signed by the person providing financial support (the sponsor). The affidavit ensures that the student has the necessary funds to cover tuition, fees, and living costs during their studies1.
- Financial Responsibility: Sponsors of F-1 students are obligated to contribute financial and other support as declared on the “Affidavit of Support” for the full duration of the student’s intended program of study. This support is expected to cover at least four years for new students. Sponsors cannot expect students to perform work in exchange for sponsorship2.
- Demonstrating Financial Sufficiency: International students must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds available to cover not only tuition and fees but also living expenses. This often involves securing a financial sponsor who can provide evidence of financial ability to support the student throughout their studies3.
- Financial Amount: Generally, sponsors must demonstrate that they can financially cover the student’s living and educational expenses. This typically includes tuition, books, fees, health insurance, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses of at least $21,500 per year1.
- Academic Obligations: Students often have personal academic obligations to their financial sponsors to follow internal rules about registration expectations. Often, sponsors will expect (require) students to take courses in-person (on-ground) and they might limit or restrict the number of courses that students can take in other modalities such as hybrid, online, or telepresence. When students fail to meet their personal obligations to their financial sponsors the sponsor might penalize the student by denying financial support for the “unapproved” course(s).
- Academic advisors are not legally obligated to know the details of every student’s financial sponsor’s specific rules or obligations.
- The individual students have a personal responsibility to inform their academic advisors about what courses are “allowed” or “not allowed” by their financial sponsors when they plan course schedules. Thus, if the advisor recommends an “online” course to the student, the student should (must) inform the advisor that their financial sponsor does not allow them to take “online” courses and that they, the student, prefers a course that is in-person (on-ground).
Remember that specific requirements may vary from sponsor to sponsor. Consult with your financial sponsor directly about their rules for enrollment.
More Information:
Other information, including an FAQ section are posted on the Office of International Services & Engagement website. They can also be reached in other ways:
Email: international@laverne.edu | Phone: (909) 448-4331 | In-person: The Ludwick Center (Map).
What Happens if I Do Not Meet My Student Visa or Funding Obligations?
Understand that your legal and/or financial obligations to your sponsor are important, but each apply different obligations on you.
- Students have legal obligations as international visa holders to understand the allowances and restrictions that apply to them when they register for courses to maintain their student visas in good standing with the U.S. Government.
- It is the student’s personal responsibility to follow specific rules that are imposed on them by their financial sponsors.
Either way, you should understand your legal and personal registration obligations and communicate these clearly and directly with your academic advisor on a regular basis to ensure you are in compliance with student visa obligations, always, and financial sponsorship obligations, if they apply.
