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Friday, August 15th, 2025
International Student Welcoming, DSO Check-in, and Rockies Game
WELCOME TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT
International Student Support serves international students studying on an ‘F’ visa. While our primary purpose is to ensure that you can maintain your legal status while studying at MSU Denver, we are also here to support your personal, academic, and career goals.
Our mission is to create a meaningful experience for international students through cultural exchange, retention-based programming, and holistic support for students’ educational and cultural needs.
News & Events
Maintaining Status
Maintaining status starts before you arrive. Remember to enter the U.S. on your F-1 visa. You cannot enter earlier than 30 days before your program start date. Once you are here and have attended orientation, make sure you do the following:
- Notify International Student Support of your arrival via email.
- Meet your International Student Advisor (ISA) and Designated School Official (DSO) before your program start date. *Note: Attending the New International Student Welcoming will fulfill this requirement.
- Enrollment: F-1 students are required to maintain full-time student status and take in-person classes. One online class can be used to fulfill full-time status. Full-time is defined below:
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- Undergraduates need to be enrolled in 12 credits each semester. ( Ex: 9 credits in-person, 3 credits online)
- Graduate students need to be enrolled in 6 credits each semester. (min 3 credits in-person, 3 credits online)
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If you cannot maintain full-time status, in person, please notify International Student Support immediately. Do not drop a class without first speaking with your DSO even if your academic advisor has given you approval. Students must get ISA/DSO approval before withdrawing from classes. Falling below full-time unapproved will cause a student to be out-of-status. Out-of-status students will be terminated.
Full-time exemptions or Reduced Course Load: A student may be approved for less than full-time under certain circumstances. Approvable reasons are:
- Medical *Note: 12 months maximum per degree level.
- Academic *Note: Only allowed within the initial term of study. The risk of failing a class or withdrawing due to GPA (Grade Point Average) will not be approved.
- Completion of study within the current term.
For more information on Reduced Course Loads, please contact a DSO or see https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevis-help-hub/student-records/manage-program-dates-registration-and-course-load/reduced-course
ISS Forms
| Form | Form Details |
|---|---|
| SyncFlex In-Person Agreement – (only MBA students) | The MBA program lists classes as SyncFlex. SyncFlex courses offer in-person and synchronous online versions of the instruction. Typically, you have the flexibility to switch between learning environments throughout the course. However, international students must attend these classes in-person. This form confirms with the student and instructor that international students will be attending in-person.
NOTE: International Students enrolled in 8 week courses need to enroll in two in order to fulfill their status requirements if not enrolled in a 16 week in-person course.
|
| New International Student Check-In Form |
This form is used for new incoming F-1 students. ISS needs this information to register your I-20 in SEVIS. |
| I-20 and Program Extension Application for F-1 Students | F-1 students should complete this form if they need more time to complete their degree than listed on their I-20. The form should be completed at least 2 weeks before your program end-date on your I-20, but no earlier that the final semester listed on the I-20. The form I-20 cannot be extended after the program end-date has passed. |
| SEVIS Information Update | U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations require all F-1 students to report changes in their U.S. residential address or phone number to their school/program sponsor within 10 days of any change. Students changing their address also needs to complete the AR-11 form with USCIS.
NOTES: Updating your information within the StudentHub does NOT update your SEVIS record. Failure to inform ISS of these changes within 10 days will result in I-20 termination.
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More International Student Support Topics
International Student Check-in
Frequently Asked Questions
Employment and Internships
Social Security Number
Obtaining a Colorado Drivers License
International Student Travel
Leaving MSU Denver
Assistant Registrar-International Student Support: (303) 605-7739
International Student Advisor and Compliance Specialist: (303) 605-5707