Students Studying in The United States Summer Term

During required academic terms, F-1 and J-1 students must maintain full-time enrollment and appropriate on-ground presence. While the summer term is considered a vacation term for most continuing students, some students are required to maintain full-time enrollment in the summer. Please read the following information carefully to make sure you understand your summer enrollment requirements.

What summer terms are available at Northeastern?

• CPS Undergraduate students and School of Law Students
  • Full Summer
• CPS Graduate Students
  • Summer Quarter
• All other Undergraduate and Graduate students
  • Full Summer
  • Summer 1*
  • Summer 2*
    • *Degree-seeking students that are eligible to enroll in summer 1 only or summer 2 only may enroll in half of their typical full-time enrollment requirement (6 credits for undergraduate students and 4 credits for graduate students).

When do students have to maintain full-time enrollment and on-ground presence during the summer?

• You are required to maintain full-time enrollment and on-ground presence during the summer term(s) if:
  • It is your first term of enrollment at NU and you have an Initial or Transfer I-20/DS-2019
  • It is your first term of enrollment after an approved change of degree level (CDL) or change of status (COS)
  • It is your final academic term
  • It is required for all students in your degree program
  • You are returning to NU after a leave of absence
  • You are a PhD student receiving university funding (SGA, Fellowship, etc.)
• If you are required to maintain full-time enrollment during the summer term you must follow all requirements found on the Maintaining Status page of the OGS website  
• If you are required to maintain full-time enrollment during the summer term and have been offered on-campus employment or have received a Stipended Graduate Assistantship (SGA), you may not work more than 20 hours/week

If the summer term is your first term of enrollment at Northeastern, you are correcting status and have an Initial I-20/DS-2019, or it is your first term after an approved Change of Degree Level (CDL) or Change of Status (COS), you must maintain full-time enrollment and appropriate on-ground presence for the duration of the summer term(s). Enrollment in on-ground courses must occur during all parts of the term. Online-only enrollment or no enrollment during a part of term (first half/second half) is not an acceptable way to maintain nonimmigrant status

 Please note:

• If you are eligible to begin your program begin in summer 1 you are not eligible for a vacation period in summer 2
• If your program begins in summer 2 (student athletes, Doctorate of Physical Therapy students, etc.), please consult directly with your academic advisor for requirements on full time enrollment

You can maintain your F-1 or J-1 status according to the Guidelines on Maintaining Status provided by OGS.

If the summer is your final term of enrollment at Northeastern and you are not completing your program overseas, you must maintain full time enrollment with appropriate on-ground presence throughout the duration of your final term. Please note that students who are eligible to complete their program during summer 2 may elect to utilize summer 1 as a vacation term.

• F-1 Students eligible to complete their program in summer 1: Your I-20 end date will be shortened to reflect the end of summer 1
• J-1 Students eligible to complete their program in summer 1: Your DS-2019 end date will be shortened to reflect the end of summer 1 if you do not plan to apply for post-completion Academic Training (AT)
• All CPS undergraduate students, CPS graduate students, and School of Law students completing in the summer term must maintain full-time enrollment and on-ground presence for the duration of the full summer term
  • Enrollment in on-ground courses must occur during all parts of the term. Online-only enrollment or no enrollment during a part of term (first half/second half) is not an acceptable way to maintain nonimmigrant status

As students in their final term before graduation may be eligible for a final term reduced course load (RCL), please review the “Final Term” guidelines provided by OGS to understand how to maintain your student status.

If you plan to travel during the summer term, please review all the travel guidance provided by OGS.