Visa & Status
Credit Load + On-Campus Work Hours Planner
Balance your work and credit hours so you stay compliant with F-1 every term.
Try it
All calculations happen in your browser. Nothing leaves this page.
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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.
What are the common mistakes when using Credit Load + On-Campus Work Hours Planner?
Most common mistakes come down to four habits: entering 20 when the field expects 0.2 because the field is a percentage; leaving a field blank and accepting the default without checking what it stands for; changing one input and reading a result that was calculated before the change; and quoting the output as an exact figure when the page describes it as a reference estimate. Press calculate again after any edit, and treat the number as a reference point rather than a final answer.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.