FAQs for Current Students
To maintain your status (F-1 Visa and I-20 active), you should:
- Be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units every Fall and Spring Semester, unless you have prior approval from the International Student Center for a Reduced Course Load (RCL)
- Be enrolled in at least 9 on-campus or hybrid units during every Fall and Spring Semester (only one online class allowed to meet the 12 unit minimum total)
- No online English classes allowed
- Maintain a minimum of 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Report a change of address, email, or phone number to the International Student Center (ISC) within 10 days
- Meet with a counselor/advisor before adding/dropping a class
- Must get permission from a counselor/advisor and an ISC staff signature to drop below 12 units
- Obtain proper authorization from USCIS before you begin working off campus
- Do NOT let your passport or I-20 expire
- Request a travel signature on your I-20 at least one week before leaving the U.S. in order to be able to return and continue with your program
- Purchase Citrus College’s Health Insurance before registering for every Fall and Spring Semesters
- Pay all fees before the scheduled Drop for Nonpayment Dates advertised each term/semester
To maintain F-1 Visa status, international students are required to be enrolled in 12 units in Fall and Spring Semesters. A student who wishes to drop below a full course load must obtain the approval from the ISC in advance and file a Reduced Course Load (CRL) request. An F-1 student who drops below 12 units without prior approval from the ISC will lose F-1 status. Before requesting an RCL, you must meet first with an Academic Counselor/Advisor, and then with the International Student Supervisor (PDSO).
Student may request an RCL in only three cases:
Student may request an RCL in only three cases:
- Academic Difficulties (six unit minimum - eleven unit maximum with at least one class being either on-campus or hybrid)
- Improper course level placement (not the fault of the student)
- Initial difficulty with reading requirements (one time; first semester only)
- Initial difficulty with the English language (one time; first semester only)
- Medical Condition or Illness (zero unit minimum - elven unit maximum)
- Student has medical condition (adequate medical documentation required; must show student needs to miss more than one week of classes)
- To complete course of Study in Current Term/Final Semester (one on-campus or hybrid unit minimum - eleven unit maximum)
- A student has less units remaining to complete their program than is required to maintain full-time enrollment (SEP confirmation required)
- At least 1 on-campus class is required (if also taking online classes)
- If more than eleven units is required, the 9 unit on-campus or hybrid unit minimum requirement still applies
International students are not allowed to take English classes online. If you register for an online English class during any term (Winter/Summer) or semester (Fall/Spring), you will be dropped from the online English class without warning.
Continuing International Students are allowed to take online classes (except English classes).
Continuing International Students have to take at least 9 units on-campus or hybrid every Fall and Spring Semester with only 1 online class used to meet full-time student status (12 units minimum). As long as the student meets the 9-unit on-campus or hybrid rule, the remaining units in that semester may be taken online (except Online English classes).
Hybrid classes that have room numbers listed on the Class Schedule are counted as on-campus units. No on-campus restrictions apply in Winter and Summer optional terms for continuing students.
Continuing International Students have to take at least 9 units on-campus or hybrid every Fall and Spring Semester with only 1 online class used to meet full-time student status (12 units minimum). As long as the student meets the 9-unit on-campus or hybrid rule, the remaining units in that semester may be taken online (except Online English classes).
Hybrid classes that have room numbers listed on the Class Schedule are counted as on-campus units. No on-campus restrictions apply in Winter and Summer optional terms for continuing students.
New students must take all courses on-campus in their first Term/Semester, unless a counselor or advisor approves otherwise on a Student Education Plan (SEP).
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student's major area of study. A student can apply for OPT three months before they complete their program of study. OPT is allowed up to 12 months full-time after completing a program of study at each college level (Associate/Bachelor/Master/PhD).
Two Types of OPT:
Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) - is employment authorization before the completion of a student's program of study. Students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and more than 20 hours while school is not in session. This is only allowed for certain majors.
General Guidelines for Pre-completion (OPT)
Two Types of OPT:
Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) - is employment authorization before the completion of a student's program of study. Students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and more than 20 hours while school is not in session. This is only allowed for certain majors.
General Guidelines for Pre-completion (OPT)
- Student must be in lawful F-1 student status at the time of application
- Student must have been enrolled in a full course of study for at least one academic year or will have met this requirement by the time the pre-completion OPT is requested to commence
- Student must continue enrolling full-time throughout the time spent on pre-completion OPT. It is not possible for a student to take a break from school in order to work on pre-completion OPT
- Student must have not engaged in more than 12 months of full-time curricular practical training (CPT) during the current degree level
- Student must have not been authorized for 12 months of OPT at the current degree level
- Student does not need to have a pending job offer letter to apply for pre-completion
- Student may only engage in part-time employment (up 20 hours a week) while school is in session
General Guidelines Post-completion OPT
A student must be in lawful F-1 student status at the time of application
- A student must have been enrolled in a full course of study for at least one academic year, or will have met this requirement by the time the post-completion OPT is requested to commence
- A student must have not engaged in more than 12 months of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during the current degree level
- A student must not have been previously authorized for 12 months of OPT at the current degree level
- A student does not need to have a pending job offer letter to apply for post-completion OPT
- Employment may not begin until the OPT application has been approved by USCIS and the student has received his or her Employment Authorization Document (EAD card)
- The recommended employment start date must be after the student's official program end date (usually graduation/commencement) and no later than the end of his or her 60 day grace period
- Employment must be within the student's field of study
- Students must work at least 20 hours per week on OPT in order to maintain F-1 status
- Students may have no more than 90 days of unemployment during the 12 month period for which OPT is authorized
- Students may hold multiple jobs on OPT, simultaneously if desired, as long as all employment held is within the student's field of study
- OPT employment may be paid or unpaid
- Note that on average it takes USCIS between 2 – 3 months to approve an OPT application and mail a student the EAD card.
A student will be placed on academic probation if they have less than a cumulative 2.0 GPA at the end of the first semester after attempting 12 or more units. Students who are on academic probation for two consecutive semesters are subject to being dismissed academically from Citrus College.
To avoid academic probation, students must keep a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. As soon as you know you may be facing academic difficulty, please see a counselor.
A student will be placed on progress probation when the percentage of units earned with a W, I, and NP’s reaches at least 50% of all units earned after attempting 12 or more units. Students remain on progress probation until the percentage of units with a W, I, and NP falls below 50% of all units earned. Students who are on progress probation for two consecutive semesters are subject to being dismissed academically from Citrus College.
If you were placed on academic or progress probation you will receive a notification via Citrus College email informing you about academic and/or progress probation status. After you receive the notification that you are on probation, you must complete the online Probation Workshop to remove your probation hold. We also encourage you to meet with an International Student counselor to discuss strategies for improving your academic performance.
If you have been placed on academic probation for two (2) consecutive semesters, you shall be subject to dismissal. If you have been placed on progress probation for two (2) consecutive semesters, you shall be subject to dismissal. We encourage you to meet with an International Student counselor to discuss strategies for improving your academic performance.
To calculate your GPA, divide the total number of grade points earned by the total number of units attempted.
Example:
GPA Formula: Total grade point earned ÷ Total units attempted
Example: 38 (20+9+6+3+0) = 2.1
18 (5+3+3+3+4)
Example:
| Class Points | Grades | Point Value | Units Attempted | = | Grades Points | |
| Class 1 | A | 4 | X | 5 | = | 20 |
| Class 2 | B | 3 | X | 3 | = | 9 |
| Class 3 | C | 2 | X | 3 | = | 6 |
| Class 4 | D | 1 | X | 3 | = | 3 |
| Class 5 | F | 0 | X | 4 | = | 0 |
Example: 38 (20+9+6+3+0) = 2.1
18 (5+3+3+3+4)
Learning Center Services
Location: Educational Development Center (ED building)
The Learning Center provides easy access to a wide selection of resources that can provide you with strategies and techniques designed to promote your academic success. The resources offered are:
Location: Educational Development Center (ED building)
The Learning Center provides easy access to a wide selection of resources that can provide you with strategies and techniques designed to promote your academic success. The resources offered are:
- Tutorial
- Location: ED 215
- Free peer tutoring is available at the Learning Center by appointment or drop-in for most subjects. To make an appointment with a tutor, visit www.citruscollege.edu/lc or visit ED 215.
- Location: ED 215
- Writing Cafe
- Location: ED 224
- Provides one-on-one writing consultations to help students develop their writing skills with any written class assignments.
- Location: ED 224
- ESL Lab
- Location: ED 231
- Audio, video, and computer programs available for support of English as a second language.
- Location: ED 231
- Math Success Center
- Location: ED 224
- Multimedia computer programs, one-on-one assistance to complete English lab requirements.
- Location: ED 224
- Testing Center
- Location: ED 215
- Provides testing services for distance education, assessment, disabled students, employment and make-up testing.
- Location: ED 215
Email library@citruscollege.edu
Phone: (626) 914-8644
Citrus College supports a variety of student clubs. Many are organized around a specific program of study; others are service or social clubs and afford students the opportunity to take part in programs and activities with other students who share similar interests. If you are interested in joining a club or want to get more information about the club, please visit this webpage:
http://www.citruscollege.edu/stdntsrv/studentaffairs/ascc/clubs/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.citruscollege.edu/stdntsrv/studentaffairs/ascc/clubs/Pages/default.aspx
| International Student Center (ISC) Location: Student Services (SS) Building 1st Floor, Room 164 Phone: (626) 914-8549 Admission and Records Office Location: Student Services (SS) Building 1st Floor, Room 115 Phone: (626) 914- 8511 Counseling, Career & Advisement Center Location: Student Services (SS) Building 2nd Floor, Room 279 Phone: (626) 914-8530 Transfer Center Location: Student Services (SS) Building 2nd Floor, Room 279 Phone: (626) 914-8639 College Success Counseling Location: Student Services (SS) Building 2nd Floor Phone: (626) 914-8530 Nursing Counseling Location: PC Building 2nd Floor, Room 204 Phone: (626) 914-8720 |
Health Center Location: Student Services (SS) Building 1st Floor, Room 147 Phone: (626) 914-8671 Athletic Counseling Location: Physical Education (PE) Building Room 120A Phone: (626) 914-8650 Disabled Student Programs & Services Location: Student Services (SS) Building 1st Floor, Room 133 Phone: (626) 914-8675 Center for Teacher Excellence Location: Student Services (SS) Building 2nd Floor, Room 279 Phone: (626) 857-4006 Non-Credit Counseling Location: Life Learning Center (LL) Building Phone: (626) 852-8022 STEM Counseling Location: Student Services (SS) Building 2nd Floor, Room 279 Phone: (626) 914-8530 |