Reduced Course Load
Students in F-1 immigration status are required to maintain full-time status (12 credits per semester) with a few exceptions listed below and described by Federal Regulations. You are required to obtain approval from the ISSO prior to dropping below 12 credits. If you will not meet these requirements for any of the scenarios listed below, you are not permitted to enroll in less than 12 credits without violating your F-1 status. If you are uncertain if you qualify for a reduced course load, please email the ISSO for an appointment with your advisor.
Please log into your ISSO Portal to submit a Reduced Course Load request. A link can be found in the sidebar to the left.
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You may apply for an academic reduced course load if you are experiencing:
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Initial difficulties with the English language and/or initial difficulty with reading requirements,
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Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods, or
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Improper course level placement.
If you experience difficulty with any of these, you must obtain a recommendation letter from your academic advisor, faculty advisor, or program advisor in order for the ISSO to consider your request for part-time enrollment. The recommendation letter must contain the following:
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Brief explanation of the academic concern and how it meets one of the three academic exceptions above
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Must specifically recommend that you are permitted to drop below full-time enrollment
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If the exception is “improper course level placement,” the letter should describe the missing prerequisite courses or skills that prevented the student from succeeding in the course
Please note: An academic reduced course load may only be authorized once per academic program.
You may apply for a reduced course load if you have a temporary medical condition or illness that would require you to enroll in less than full-time courses or no courses at all. You must provide medical documentation issued within the past 30 days from your licensed professional holding one of the following credentials: medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathy (DO), or licensed clinical psychologist (PhD or PsyD) who is practicing in the United States. The documentation is usually in the form of a letter and should specify if it is recommended that you enroll in a part-time course load or in no credits.
F-1 students may be enrolled in less than 12 credits in their final semester of study provided all degree requirements have been met. No additional authorization or paperwork is required but we recommend you meet with your faculty advisor or Academic Services advisor to confirm that you have met all graduation requirements.
While students in F-1 status may take a leave for medical reasons, F-1 regulations do not allow for an individual to take a personal leave and maintain F-1 status.
If you wish to take a personal leave, please contact your program or academic advisor, as well as your ISSO advisor.