DHS Update Guidance for International Students

Dear students,

Shortly after we reached out to you last week, the Department of Homeland Security issued additional guidance on Friday, July 24,regarding international student enrollment for the Fall 2020 term. 

Updates on this evolving situation can be found via the U-M International Center. Please note you will be able to make changes to your course schedule beginning on August 7, so review this new information with this in mind as you make your selections. 

Per the International Center, our current understanding of this guidance is the following: 

  • Continuing students studying in the U.S. can select in-person, mixed (hybrid) or online classes as they prefer. They must be enrolled full-time, but there is no limit on the number of online credits that they can take.
  • Transfer students and students changing educational level (bachelor’s to Master’s for example) who are studying in the U.S. can select in-person, hybrid, or online classes as they prefer. They must be enrolled full-time, but there is no limit on the number of online credits that they can take.
  • New students who plan to study in the U.S. for the Fall 2020 term must choose some in-person or hybrid classes. They are not limited to a specific number of online credits, but their classes cannot be completely online. They must be enrolled full-time.
  • All students who are in the U.S. can remain in the U.S. if U-M switches to an entirely online model mid-semester, or when U-M switches to all-remote learning as planned on November 30.
  • New students who plan to study remotely outside the U.S. can do so and take as many or as few credit hours as they wish. They will remain in initial F-1 status.
  • Continuing students studying outside the U.S. will remain in active F-1 status while studying remotely as long they are enrolled full-time.

In addition to the link above, the International Center will be updating its FAQ pages for both newly admitted and current international students this week with information pertaining to this new guidance. 

We understand that you may have questions and concerns. The College of Engineering will be hosting a virtual town hall for our international graduate students on Wednesday, August 5 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. EDT. This is an opportunity to hear from College of Engineering leadership regarding preparations for the upcoming fall semester. Please RSVP by Friday, July 31. 

Please know that we highly appreciate the patience and resilience of our international student community during these unprecedented times. We will continue to share relevant information as it comes in, but please reach out to us with any questions you may have. 

Mary-Ann Mycek, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Graduate & Professional Education

Joanna Mirecki Millunchick, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education

Jeanne Murabito
Executive Director, Office of Student Affairs