Visa & Status

Credit Load + On-Campus Work Hours Planner

Balance your work and credit hours so you stay compliant with F-1 every term.

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Education level

Term

Credits enrolled

On-campus work hours / week

Graduate assistantship (counts as on-campus) GAs/GTAs/RAs are 'on-campus employment'.

Idle

How to use this calculator well

Pick the right term — fall/spring follow in-session 20-hour rule; summer / breaks allow up to 40.
Use your actual enrolled credits and work hours.
Graduate assistants count as on-campus employment against the cap.
If you drop below full-time credits without a documented reduced course load authorization, you fall out of status.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work 40 hr/week over the summer?

Yes — if you were enrolled full-time in the prior spring and your DSO verifies your continuation. Off-campus summer internships need separate authorization.

What about CPT or OPT?

CPT requires a job offer that's integral to your program. OPT doesn't count toward the 20-hour on-campus cap — it's a separate authorization.

What if I drop a class mid-semester?

If the drop keeps you at full-time, no action. If it drops you below, you must consult DSO for a reduced course load authorization to maintain status.

Where this estimate falls short

Schools can require higher full-time minimums (e.g., some require 15 credits).
Final semester rule: 1-2 credits needed to graduate counts as full-time even if below the minimum.
PhD students' 'full-time' is set by the program, not by credits — your DSO determines it.

Credit Load + On-Campus Work Hours Planner

Try it

How to use this calculator well

Frequently asked questions

Where this estimate falls short

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