Reduced Course Load Authorization
Exceptions to Full-time Enrollment: Reduced Course Load
For students that are enrolled less than full-time, the following are situations in which it MAY be possible, necessary and appropriate for International Student and Scholar Services to authorize a Reduced Course Load (RCL):
• If the student is medically unable to maintain a full‐time course load (with letter of recommendation from Counseling Center or physician)
• If a student is having difficulty during the first semester of enrollment (as documented with a Reduced Course Load Recommendation from the Academic Adviser) due to:
(1) initial difficulties with the English language, or
(2) initial difficulties with the reading requirements, or
(3) unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
• If the student has been placed in or advised by their academic adviser to take a course at an improper course level (with Reduced Course Load Recommendation from the Academic Adviser)
• If the student is in his/her final semester
RCLs for Medical Reasons:
RCLs for medical reasons require documentation from a medical professional who can attest to the difficulty and explain why a reduction in course load is recommended. With a medical RCL, it is permissible to drop some or all courses. The RCL is valid for only one semester at a time but may be renewed each semester for up to one year if medically necessary. Following the semester(s) of RCL, the student must continue to enroll as a full-time student unless it is the student’s final semester. Please do not drop below full-time – or fail to register full-time – until you receive confirmation that the RCL request is approved in SEVIS.
A letter from the student’s physician/psychiatrist/psychologist/licensed counselor or other medical professional should:
1. Confirm that the medical recommendation for a reduced course load is for the student and that the student is under the medical professional’s direct medical care
2. Specify whether the student must be placed on a reduced course load or must drop all classes
3. Specify on what date the student should begin reduced course load and on what date the student may resume his/her classes
A letter documenting the medical necessity for a reduced course load should be submitted in-person during an appointment with a ISSS advisor, but in special circumstances when a student cannot come in person, the letter can be submitted through a third person or other means.
Academic Hardship RCL:
RCLs for academic difficulty require International Student and Scholar Services approval of the RCL Form BEFORE dropping below full-time. Your Academic Adviser must indicate on the Reduced Course Load Recommendation the academic reason for the RCL request and indicate that they do not object (from an academic advising perspective) to the student receiving an academic RCL for that stated reason. The ISSS Advisor may need to request, or the Academic Advisor may wish to provide, additional information related to the academic circumstances which justify the academic RCL. A student may not drop below half of the required credits that make up a full time semester. Students should not drop below full-time – or fail to register full-time – until first receiving approval of the RCL from an ISSS advisor.
The Reduced Course Load Recommendation plus accompanying documentation should be submitted in person during an appointment with a ISSS advisor.
Final Semester – Full-time Exception:
If a student is in their final semester, that student should process a Final Semester Notification (DOCUSIGN Form) with their academic advisor before the last day to register in the student’s final semester. The student should pre-register for the intended number of reduced credits.
PLEASE NOTE: If you only require one class to graduate, it cannot be taken as an online or distance learning class. You must enroll in at least one live, in-classroom course (or graduate research hours for graduate students) during your last semester.
An advising appointment is not required for the student to submit the Final Semester Notification (DOCUSIGN Form), but it is encouraged if a student has questions/concerns about program completion in their final semester.
Once ISSS processes the Final Semester Notification (DOCUSIGN Form) and an RCL is authorized for a final semester, ISSS shortens the Program End Date on the I-20/DS-2019 and in SEVIS to that semester. A student MUST complete their program by the end of the semester.
If after submitting the Final Semester Notification (DOCUSIGN Form) a student or academic advisor anticipates a significant delay in completion beyond the anticipated final semester, please speak with an ISSS advisor as soon as possible to initiate an I-20/DS-2019 extension.