Reducing Your Course Load
As an international student, you must request approval from your international advisor before dropping any classes or enrolling less than full-time. To request approval to drop classes, submit a Reduced Course Load Form. If you have an assistantship, you must also complete the Graduate School Underload/Overload Approval Form. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours, and graduates must be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credit hours, to be eligible for student worker positions. Depending on your reason for requesting a reduced course load, additional documentation may be required.
Immigration regulations allow exceptions to the full-time registration requirement in very limited circumstances. If you drop below a full course load or enroll less than full-time without your international advisor’s approval, you will be reported to SEVIS. Should this occur, your SEVIS record will be terminated, and you will lose your lawful F-1 or J-1 status, including employment eligibility and benefits.
In order to maintain your immigration status, graduate students cannot be enrolled only in UNIV 500, as this enrollment is only used for administrative purposes and is not given for credit.
A reduced course load can only be approved in the following circumstances:
1. For academic difficulty reasons (the first semester only, and can only be used once during the length of your program)
Graduate students with an assistantship must maintain a minimum 3-credit course load, or without an assistantship must maintain 6 credit hour course load. Undergraduates must maintain a 6 credit hour course load.
- Initial Difficulty with English Language
- Initial Difficulty with Reading Requirements
- Unfamiliarity with American Teaching Methods
- Improper Course Level Placement
2. A Medical Reduced Course Load permits F-1 and J-1 students to reduce their course load below full-time (or, if necessary, not enroll in any courses) due to a student's temporary illness or medical condition. A maximum of 12 months of Medical Reduced Course Load is possible per degree level. Medical Reduced Course Loads are issued on a semester basis. If more than one semester of a Reduced Course Load due to medical condition is needed, the student must submit a new doctor's letter for the additional semester(s).
In order to authorize a Medical Reduced Course Load, the student must provide medical documentation (stating you are unable to maintain a full course of study) from one of the following U.S. licensed medical practitioners:
- Medical Doctor (M.D.)
- Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.); OR
- Psychologist (C.P.)
NOTE: Letters signed by practitioners other than one of the medical professionals noted above are not acceptable, per US immigration regulations.
3. During the final semester of your degree program. You are eligible for a reduced course load authorization if you expect to complete less than a full course load for remaining coursework for degree completion in your final semester.If you have a final term reduced course load and are unable to graduate due to failing a course you are allowed one more additional final RCL.
F-1 students: If you have finished all required coursework and are only completing thesis/dissertation, you must apply for OPT. Contact your international advisor for more information.
Note: There is a physical presence requirement during your last semester; you cannot be enrolled in only online credits. For more information see Enrollment Requirements.
Do not drop courses until approved by your international advisor. In all cases mentioned here, you are required to meet with an advisor in our office before you stop attending or withdraw from classes.
