Vacation Quarter Info
What is a Vacation Quarter?
A vacation quarter is a quarter when you are not registered as a full-time student (F-1 and J-1), but will be enrolling in courses the following quarter. During vacation quarter, you can choose to go home, stay in the U.S., enroll in part-time classes or decide not to take any classes. You must intend to register full-time at EvCC for the following quarter after your vacation quarter.
*Please note, unused vacation quarters do not accumulate or "roll over." For example, if you enroll full-time for six consecutive quarters, you cannot take two vacation quarters in one academic year. A vacation quarter is an optional, “use it or lose it” benefit.
When am I Eligible for a Vacation Quarter?
- You are eligible for vacation quarter after you have studied full time for three quarters in a row prior to the vacation quarter. (Unless you qualify for a different part-time exception, such as for medical reasons, final quarter, etc.). Most students will study full-time in Fall, Winter, and Spring and then take Summer as their vacation quarter.
- Are not in the first quarter of a new degree program
- Are not in your final quarter; for part-time enrollment permission in your final quarter, apply for the “Final Quarter Reduced Course Load” which is a separate exception to the full-time rule.
- If you begin your EvCC program in winter or spring quarter, you will be eligible for your first summer vacation.
How to Apply?
Summer
Most students register full-time fall/winter/spring quarters, and take summer as the annual vacation quarter.
Fall/Winter/Spring
Sometimes students follow a different enrollment pattern. Students might register full-time in summer and request an “alternative vacation quarter” for either autumn, winter, or spring quarter. If you take an “alternative vacation quarter” you cannot take the following summer as a vacation quarter. You must complete three full-time quarters before your next annual vacation quarter. If you will apply for any vacation quarter, it requires special permission and you will need to complete the vacation quarter request form prior to the start of your intended vacation quarter. You can apply using the Vacation Quarter Request form on the International Education Forms page.
What if I am Not Eligible for Vacation Quarter but I Need to Take a Quarter Off (such as taking Vacation Quarter in Fall, Winter or Spring)?
Things can come up academically or personally, and you may find yourself in a situation where you need to take a quarter (or more) off from your studies. If you will be leaving the United States and do not require an immigration status you can apply for a Leave of Absence. If you need to enroll in fewer than 12 credits, you can apply for a Reduced Course Load.
Can I Take My Final Quarter at EvCC as My Vacation Quarter?
If you are completing your program, you may not take your final quarter as vacation. You are, however, eligible to apply for a Reduced Course Load, which will allow you to enroll less than full time during your final quarter if fewer courses are needed to graduate
Medical Insurance
If you will stay in the U.S. during your annual vacation quarter, you still need to pay the insurance. However, if you can confirm to us that you are outside the U.S., you don’t need to pay the insurance.
Please contact International Education or your insurance provider if you have any questions about insurance.
Campus Employment
During a vacation quarter you are allowed to work on campus for a maximum of 69 hours/month, and the immigration limitation of maximum 20 hours/week for quarters when you are in-session does not apply.
If you have a CPT internship off-campus during your vacation quarter, you can potentially work more hours with approval, but please verify this with International Education for approval.
Click here to request F-1 Immigration Vacation Quarter