International 真人线上娱乐 Services

Reduced Course Load

A reduced course load (RCL) allows an F-1 student to enroll in fewer courses and still maintain their F-1 status. All RCL requests are authorized for one quarter. You must submit a new request for each quarter an RCL is required.

RCL requests are available at the International 真人线上娱乐 Portal. Note that the Medical request is separate from the general request.

Academic (Final quarter)

8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(iii)(C)

  • If it is your final quarter, you can submit an RCL request and enroll in fewer credits.
  • You must do this within 30 days of your final quarter start date.
  • If you fail to complete your degree, a second RCL will be considered only in the immediate next quarter (you will not receive a summer quarter break if you fail and summer is the next quarter).
  • Academic reduced course loads require you to enter an “Approver” name and email address. 真人线上娱乐 approver must be an Academic Advisor. International 真人线上娱乐 Advisors, Professors, and Faculty Advisors cannot complete the approval.

Medical

8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(iii)(B)

A medical reduced course load is kept confidential and does not involve approval from your academic department.

Medical reduced course load only applies to your F-1 status in the US. If you need medical accommodations at the university, please contact DRS.

  • You must provide a letter from a medical professional telling us the reduced course load is required.
    • 真人线上娱乐 letter must be from a Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Licensed Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, or Psychiatrist. 真人线上娱乐ir professional title must be clearly printed on the letter. We will not accept documentation from any other type of medical professional.
    • 真人线上娱乐 letter must be recent and clearly state the time required for reduced course load.
    • 真人线上娱乐 letter must clearly state that the time required is for the majority (or entirety) of the quarter.
    • Medical RCL is approved for the length of a single quarter only. Each quarter requires a separate letter to document the continued medical necessity of the RCL.
    • Medical RCL is limited to a total of 12 months.

Undergraduates are not considered a student if they do not enroll for two consecutive quarters. We cannot support your continued medical RCL for a third quarter if you’re not eligible to register. Please plan accordingly to retain your student status and keep ISS updated of your plans for continued enrollment.

Graduate students must contact their graduate student advisor to ensure they are correctly put on leave.

If you have not progressed in your degree for 12 months, we may deny your request for RCL.

When will it be processed?

Requests submitted in the international student portal will be processed within the first 30 days of the quarter as part of your SEVIS registration.