I registered a course when I was F2 in Spring 2003, and it counts toward my degree. The law must have changed a lot since then.

If I were you, I would ask student advisors at ISO in detail. I went to Mexico to have my visa changed from F2 to F1, but nowadays it is more popular to go through the university. So they are the authority to help you with this question since you will need to go through them later.

Good luck