Summer Enrollment at Northeastern
During required academic terms, F-1 and J-1 students are required to maintain full-time enrollment. At Northeastern, the summer term is considered a vacation term for most students. However, it is considered a required term for some students. It is important to understand how to maintain your status if you enroll in courses during the summer. Please read the following information carefully to make sure you understand your summer enrollment requirements.
When is the summer academic term considered required?
The summer term is a required term if:
- It is your first term of enrollment at NU or your first academic term after an approved change of degree level (CDL)
- It is your final academic term
- It is required by your degree program
If you are enrolled in a required summer academic term and the term is split into two sessions (Summer I and Summer II), you are expected to maintain on-ground presence and appropriate course registration throughout both sessions.
- Example: If your minimum required credits to maintain full-time enrollment is 8 credit hours per term, you must maintain on-ground presence throughout the entire term, but your courses may be split between the two sessions (such as 4 credits in Summer I, 4 credits in Summer II).
Summer enrollment in your first term
If the summer term is your first term of enrollment at Northeastern or your first term after an approved change of degree level, you must maintain your F-1 or J-1 status according to the “Guidelines on Maintaining Status” provided by OGS.
Summer Enrollment in your final term
If the summer is your final term of enrollment at Northeastern and you are not completing your program overseas, you must maintain on-ground presence. You can maintain your F-1 or J-1 status according to the “Final Term” guidelines provided by OGS.
Summer enrollment during a term that is required by your academic program
If the summer term is required by your academic program, you must maintain your F-1 or J-1 status according to the “Guidelines on Maintaining Status” provided by OGS. If the summer term is your first term of enrollment at a new degree level then it will always be considered a required academic term.
Summer enrollment and F-1/J-1 status
Some benefits require you to have been enrolled full-time in F-1 or J-1 status for a certain number of semesters in order to be eligible. You may count the summer term towards this requirement if you are enrolled full-time; part-time summer enrollment may not be counted towards eligibility for these benefits.
If the summer term is not considered required, you may enroll in both in-person and online courses at your leisure. However, if you plan to engage in any practical training opportunities, you must receive employment authorization.
Summer Travel
If you plan to travel during the summer term, please review all the travel guidance provided by OGS.