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Maintaining Status Compliance

Bismarck State College is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security-Student
& Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to sponsor F-1 and M-1 student visas. Both student visa
classifications must maintain a specific minimum number of credit hours each semester to maintain
status. Academic compliance also involves attending classes and maintaining satisfactory academic
progress (SAP).

It is important for international students to regularly contact their DSO on potential changes that may
change their SEVIS record. International students are responsible for understanding and abiding by the
compliance regulations of their Visa.
1) Compliance Requirements
1. Maintain a full course of study:
  • The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines a full course of study as the following for F-1 and M-1 visa students at the postsecondary level:
    • Minimum 12 credit hours per term.
    • Requirement for fall and spring terms.
  • Can I take online courses?
    • For F-1 students, one online course (3 credits) can count towards a full course of study.
      • Example: Merlin is taking 9 credits of on-campus classes and 3 credits of online credits. This is okay!
    • For M-1 students, no online or distance learning classes may count toward an M-1 or English language training student's full course of study requirement.
2. Maintain normal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements
  • Maintain at a minimum a cumulative 2.0 GPA at BSC and pass 67% of coursework.
3. Speak with your DSO FIRST before dropping a course or making schedule changes to avoid breaking
compliance.

Students are required to maintain these requirements for the fall and spring semesters. There are no
Enrollment requirements are to maintain a full course of study during the summer term.
 
2) Communication Expectations
When should an international student consult with the DSO?
  • Anytime something arises that would require a change to your SEVIS record, including:
    • U.S. Address
      • Must notify DSO within 10 days of an address change. You must also update your address in Campus Connection.
    • Academic Program
    • If you are planning on traveling outside the United States.
      • DSO signature on Form I-20 verifies record is in good standing or ‘in-status’ for travel from U.S. to country of citizenship
      • The student is responsible for verifying visitor travel requirements for entry to countries they are non-citizens of.
    • Academic Planning:
      • Withdraw
      • Leave of Absence
      • Transfer
      • Graduation
      • Curricular Practical Training, CPT (if eligible)
      • Optional Practical Training, OPT (Pre-Completion or Post-Completion)