Immigration regulations require F-1 and J-1 students to be enrolled full-time, or an authorized equivalent, every Fall and Spring semester of their degree program. Dropping below a full course of study without prior approval from ISSS will result in the immediate, negative, termination of your immigration status. No student may drop below full-time in the Fall or Spring except under extremely limited circumstances and only with prior authorization from ISSS in the form of an Academic or Medical Reduced Course Load (RCL).
Academic Reduced Course Load
Immigration regulations allow one Academic Reduced Course Load (RCL) per degree-level if a student has a valid academic reason for dropping below full-time. Students authorized for an Academic RCL must maintain at least half-time enrollment. No more than the equivalent of one on-line/distance education class or 3 online credits per term may count towards the full-time enrollment requirement. Acceptable reasons for an Academic RCL noted in the regulations can be found on ISSS’s Academic Reduced Course Load form.
Academic Reduced Course Load in Final Semester
Students in their final semester are eligible to be less than full-time enrolled. This does not count toward a student’s one allowed Academic Reduced Course Load. Physical presence (attending at least one on-campus course) is a requirement during a final term. Students need only be enrolled in those courses they need to complete their degree (can be less than half-time). To receive approval to be less than full-time in your final semester, please complete the Confirmation of Final Semester form with your Academic Advisor and submit it to ISSS in person or use the ISSS Document Submission Form.
Medical Reduced Course Load
ISSS may authorize a reduced course load or, if necessary, no course load, due to a student's temporary illness or medical condition for a period of time not to exceed an aggregate of 12 months per academic degree level. Medical RCLs can only be authorized one semester at a time. The regulations require students requesting a medical RCL to submit documentation from one of the following U.S.-licensed medical practitioners:
- U.S.-licensed Medical Doctor (MD);
- U.S.-licensed Doctor of Osteopathy (DO); or
- U.S.-licensed Clinical Psychologist (CP).
If you qualify for a medical RCL, please review the medical RCL handout and obtain a support letter that meets the criteria indicated in the Medical Reduced Course Load letter template. Letters can be co-signed by one of the above medical practitioners if the student’s main care provider is not one of the approved practitioners.