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Reduced Course Load (RCL)
Overview
International students in F-1 and J-1 status are required to maintain full-time enrollment during the school year. If you cannot or will not meet this requirement, you must request a reduced course load and meet with a U-M International Center advisor to discuss your request. Federal immigration regulations severely limit a student's ability to be less than full time, but it may be allowed in some circumstances explained below. If you drop below full time without authorization, the U-M International Center is required to report this to SEVIS and you will lose your F-1 or J-1 status.
According to 8 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) § 214.2(f)(6)(iii), the Designated School Official (DSO – the International Center Advisors have this designation) may allow an F-1 student to engage in less than a full course of study as provided below. A student who wishes to drop below full time must obtain the approval from a DSO in advance, regardless what the reason might be. A student who drops below a full course of study (after the drop-add period) without prior approval of a DSO will be considered out of status. Please be advised that a lack of financial support does not constitute a valid reason to reduce course load according to immigration regulations.
NOTE: If approved for reduced course load, you are still eligible for on-campus employment benefits.
Definition of Full Time
For undergraduate students, full time is at least 12 credits per term. For graduate students, full time is at least 8 credit hours or as otherwise defined by specific schools' graduate programs.
NOTE: The courses you take for “audit” or “visit” do not count toward the full-time enrollment requirement for immigration purposes.
Academic Difficulties
A student must apply for reduced course load if, due to academic difficulties, he/she is unable to be enrolled full time. He/she must first obtain a letter from his/her academic advisor to verify his/her eligibility to be part time based on academic difficulties.
- Academic difficulties are exclusively limited to initial difficulties with the English language or with reading requirements, unfamiliarity with American teaching methods, or improper course level placement. Please note that “initial” should only be used in the student's first academic term.
- A student may be authorized for a reduced course load on the “academic difficulties” basis only for a single term during any one course of study at a particular program level, and must resume a full course of study at the next available term (excluding summer).
- A reduced course load for academic difficulties must consist of at least 6 credit hours for undergraduate students and at least 4 credit hours for graduate students.
Source: [8 CFR § 214.2(f)(6)(iii)(A)]
Medical Conditions
A student must apply for RCL if, due to a temporary illness or medical condition, he/she is unable to be enrolled full time (or, if necessary, no course load).
- The student must provide medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist, to the DSO to substantiate the illness or medical condition.
- A reduced course load for a medical condition can be granted for a period of time not to exceed an aggregate of 12 months while the student is pursing a course of study at a particular program level.
- The student must provide current medical documentation and the DSO must authorize the drop below full time for each new term.
Source: [8 CFR § 214.2(f)(6)(iii)(B)]
Completion of Course of Study
A student must apply for RCL in his/her final term if fewer courses (i.e. less than full time) are needed to complete the course of study.
The student must obtain a letter from his/her academic advisor to verify that the current term will be the final term for the student to complete his/her academic program.
Source: [8 CFR § 214.2(f)(6)(iii)(C)]
How to Apply for a Reduced Course Load
- Set up an appointment with your academic advisor for “academic reason” or licensed medical physician (or doctor of osteopathy or licensed clinical psychologist) for “medical reason” to request a letter. The letter must be printed on an official letterhead and contain contact information of the person who signed the letter.
- Attend an RCL workshop at the U-M International Center and bring the following documents with you:
- Reduced Course Load Request Form with Section A completed and signed by you
- Legible copies of all your previous and current I-20s (pages 1 & 3)
- A legible copy of your most recent I-94 card (both sides) copied on one page
- An unofficial transcript downloaded from Wolverine Access
- A letter from your academic advisor for academic reason or from a licensed medical physician (or doctor of osteopathy or licensed clinical psychologist) for medical reason
- A U-M International Center advisor will review the collected items at the end of the workshop and complete Section B of the request form.
- The U-M International Center will determine your eligibility for RCL, report your RCL to SEVIS, and generate a new I-20 for you. The documented RCL authorization will be printed on page 3 of the I-20.
- The U-M International Center will notify you when your new I-20 is ready.
- Go to the U-M International Center to pick up your new I-20. You will need to bring your U-M ID card with you.
Reminders
- Always sign your name on the I-20 and keep a record of all I-20s issued to you.
- Ensure that you have health insurance coverage. Your request for RCL will not be processed until the U-M International Center verifies that you have health insurance.
- Update your address in Wolverine Access within 10 days of any change.
Last reviewed: 11/07
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