Reduced Course Load

• Overview

  Immigration regulations require that F-1 students maintain a full course of study. If a student cannot enroll full-time, they must be approved by Visa and Immigration Services for a reduced course load (RCL) before dropping below full-time.
  
  Final Semester of Study
  A final semester reduced course load permits F-1 students to reduce their course load below full-time (at least one credit) if it is their last semester of study and less than a full course load is needed to graduate.
  
  Medical Reduced Course Load
  A medical reduced course load permits F-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/mental health difficulty.
  
  Concurrent Enrollment
  A F-1 student may be enrolled in two different SEVIS approved schools at one time as long as the combined enrollment amounts to a full-time course of study.
  
  Initial Academic Difficulty
  A reduced course load due to initial academic difficulty is used for students in their first semester in the U.S. who are experiencing challenges with the English language, reading requirements, or American teaching methods.
  
  Improper Course Level
  A reduced course load for improper course level is used for students who were inadvertently enrolled in a course(s) that are not appropriate for their academic level.
  
  Learn more about the types of RCLs available by choosing from the tabs above.

• Academic Difficulty

  
  Academic Difficulty

  F-1 students who are experiencing initial academic difficulties may be eligible to reduce their course load below full-time (to a minimum of 6 credits or half the required clock hours) for one semester. This option can only be used once per degree program.

  Eligibility Criteria

  To qualify for a reduced course load due to academic difficulty, you must be facing challenges in one of the following areas:

  • Improper course level placement (e.g., miscommunication about course selection).
  • Initial difficulties with the English language (first semester only).
  • Initial difficulties with reading requirements (first semester only).
  • Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods (first semester only).

  Requirements for Eligible Students

  
  

  • You must be enrolled full-time until your Reduced Course Load (RCL) is approved by Visa and Immigration Services (VIS).
  • This is a one-time opportunity per degree level. You connect have used this benefit in the past.
  • After VIS approves your RCL, you must maintain enrollment in at least 6 credits (or half the required clock hours for your program).

  Deadlines and Important ConsiderationS

  • The RCL request must be submitted in accessVIS before the end of the Add/Drop period and approved by VIS before you are allowed to drop below full-time.
  • Dropping below full-time without an approved RCL from VIS could be viewed as a status violation, potentially leading to SEVIS termination and other serious consequences.
  • If the Add/Drop period has passed, and it’s necessary to withdraw from a course due to academic difficulty, you must still submit a complete RCL request in accessVIS. VIS approval is required before you can drop below full-time.

  You are responsible for withdrawing from courses by the university's deadlines.  Be mindful of financial liability deadlines, as fees may apply when dropping a course. Specific drop/withdrawal deadlines can be found on the academic calendar.  

  Application process

  To request a reduced course load due to academic difficulty, follow these steps:

  1. Obtain a recommendation letter from the ESL department or your Academic Advisor. The letter must be on department letterhead.
  2. Log in to accessVIS using your NetID and Password.
  3. Navigate to F-1 Student Services located on the left sidebar
  4. Complete the Academic Reduced Course Load request form and upload the following documents:
     
     
     • A personal statement explaining the conditions causing your academic difficulty.
     • A recommendation letter from the ESL department or your Academic Advisor.
     • If applicable, the Late Drop/Withdrawal Form requiring VIS’s signature.

  Processing Time

  Please allow 5-7 business days for processing. If approved, a new I-20 reflecting your reduced course load authorization will be issued.

• Final Semester of Study

  
  Final Semester of Study
  

  F-1 students may qualify to reduce their course load below full-time during their final semester if fewer credits are needed to complete their degree.

  Key Guidelines

  • One Remaining Course: If only one course is required to graduate, it must be completed in-person and cannot be an online or distance education course.
  • More than One Course: If you need more than one course to finish your program, you must adhere to the distance education rule, which allows only one online course (up to 3 credits) to count towards your full-time enrollment (8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G)).

  Eligibility

  1. An Academic Advisor or Academic Department representative must confirm that less than a full-time course load is needed for you to graduate and that you will complete your program by the end of the term.
  2. You must submit your Academic Reduced Course Load request in accessVIS before the end of the Add/Drop period. Deadlines are available on the academic calendar. 
  3. If you realize after the Add/Drop period that it’s your final semester, you may still apply for an RCL but must remain enrolled full-time until you receive VIS approval.

  Dropping below full-time without a VIS approved RCL is considered a violation of your immigration status, which could lead to SEVIS termination and other serious consequences.

  Application process

  To request a Reduced Course Load (RCL) for your final semester, follow these steps:

  1. Login to accessVIS through "Full Services" using your NetID and password.
  2. Click on F-1 Student Services from the left sidebar.
  3. Complete the "Academic Reduced Course Load" request.

  Please allow 5-7 business days for processing. If approved, an I-20 indicating the authorizated reduced course load will be issued.

  Important Considerations for summer/winter graduates

  If you will complete all degree requirements in a winter or summer session,  that term is considered a regular semester/term for DHS reporting and registration requirements. Therefore, you must meet full-time registration requirements for that term, as it will no longer be considered a vacation or break period.

  To remain in F-1 status and be eligible for post-completion OPT, students must follow normal registration rules during their final term, including the limits on online courses.

  For summer or winter sessions, students with an approved RCL must enroll in at least 1 credit.

• Medical or Mental Health Condition

  
  Medical Reduced Course Load

  A Medical Reduced Course Load (RCL) allows F-1 students to reduce their course load below full-time, or if necessary, not enroll in any courses due to a documented medical or mental health condition. This option allows you to remain in the U.S. and maintain your F-1 status while receiving treatment.

  You may be granted up to 12 months of medical RCL per degree level, issued on a semester-by-semester basis.

  If your medical condition warrants you to not register for any classes (zero credits) you should also request a Medical Leave of Absence through the Registrar's Office or Graduate School.

  Eligibility

  To qualify for a medical RCL, you must submit medical documentation from your treating healthcare provider. The documentation must include:

  • A letter on official letterhead from a licensed medical doctor, psychiatrist, doctor of osteopathy, or clinical psychologist.
  • The recommended number of credits (or zero credits if necessary)
  • The term or duration for which the reduced course load is recommended.
  • The treating physician’s physical signature.

  Click here for the Medical Reduced Course Load Certification Letter template letter.

  If additional semesters of medical RCL are needed, you must submit a new request and updated documentation each semester.

  Application process

  To request a Medical Reduced Course Load, follow these steps:

  1. Login to accessVISusing your NetID and password.
  2. Go to F-1 Student Services (located on the left sidebar).
  3. Select and complete the "Medical Reduced Course Load" request.
  4. Upload the letter from your healthcare provider as part of the application.

  Processing Time

  Please allow 5-7 business days for processing. If approved, a new I-20 reflecting your reduced course load authorization will be issued.

  Employment Restrictions

  Students approved for a medical underload of zero (0) credits are ineligible for on-campus employment, as active enrollment is required to meet 'cleared for hire' criteria. Additionally, they are not eligible for off-campus employment authorization, as full-time enrollment is a requirement.

• Concurrent Enrollment

  
  Concurrent Enrollment

  F-1 students may maintain full-time status through concurrent enrollment, where classes are taken at two or more institutions simultaneously. For example, as a graduate student required to enroll in 9 credit hours to maintain full-time status, you could complete 6 credits at Stony Brook University (SBU) and 3 credits at another institution through concurrent enrollment.

  eligibility Requirements

  To maintain full-time status through concurrent enrollment, the following criteria must be met:

  • The additional credits must be earned at a U.S. college or university that is SEVP-certified to sponsor F-1 students.
  • The credits must be transferable to SBU and applicable to your degree program.
  • You must be enrolled in at least one course at SBU during the concurrent enrollment semester.
  • You must adhere to the standard limit on distance/online education courses which allow no more than one class or 3-credits to be counted towards the full course of study count.

  • The total credits from all institutions combined must meet the full-time enrollment requirement (12 credits for undergraduates; 9 credits for graduate students).

  Procedure for Concurrent Enrollment

  Concurrent enrollment is authorized on a term-by-term basis. Follow these steps to ensure proper approval for each term:

  1. Course Selection: Begin by exploring course options at another college or university. Consult your Academic Advisor or Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC) to ensure that the courses are suitable and transferable to your SBU program. Do not assume credits will transfer without prior approval from your advisor.
  2. Registration at Another Institution: Once the course is approved, you are responsible for registering at the other institution and following their enrollment, billing, and academic procedures. Make sure you are familiar with their policies.
  3. Submit the Academic Reduced Course Load: Log in to accessVIS and submit the Academic Reduced Course Load request, selecting "Concurrent Enrollment" as the reason. Make sure your course schedule for the term is finalized before submission to avoid delays.

  Concurrent enrollment is not needed for classes taken at other universities during the Summer term, as long as you intend to return to SBU to continue your studies in the fall semester after the summer vacation period is over.

  Processing Time

  Please allow 5-7 business days for processing. If approved, a new I-20 reflecting your reduced course load authorization will be issued.