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.
  
  Academic Reduced Course Load
  An academic reduced course load permits F-1 students to reduce their course load below full-time if they are experiencing academic difficulty.
  
  Final Semester Reduced Course Load
  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.
  
  Learn more about the types of RCLs available by choosing from the tabs above.

• Academic Difficulty

  
  Academic Difficulty

  A reduced course load due to initial academic difficulty, or an "Academic Reduced Course Load," permits F-1 students to reduce their course load below full-time (to a minimum of 6 credits or half the clock hours required for a full course of study) if they are experiencing academic difficulty. An RCL for this reason can be used only one time per degree program.

  Eligibility

  ​To be eligible for an academic reduced course load for this reason, you must be experiencing academic difficulty in one of the following areas:

  • Improper course level placement (for example: a miscommunication regarding course level selection)
  • Initial difficulties with the English language*
  • Initial difficulties with reading requirements*
  • Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods*

  *Only available during first semester of study

  Eligible Students Must Also:

  • Enroll full-time until the RCL is approved by VIS.
  • Not have used an Academic Reduced Course Load in the past. Only one Academic Reduced Course Load per degree level is permitted.
  • Maintain enrollment in at least 6 credits (or half the clock hours required for a full course of study) after the RCL is approved by VIS.

  Deadline

  The reduced course load request must be approved by VIS BEFORE a student is permitted to drop below full-time or before someone is administratively withdrawn from a course(s).

  The completed RCL request must be submitted in accessVIS before the end of the Add/Drop period. Students who drop below full-time without a VIS approved RCL are considered out of status. This immigration violation could result in SEVIS termination and other serious consequences.

  If the add/drop period has passed and it is necessary to withdraw from a course due to academic difficulty, you must still submit a complete Reduced Course Load request in accessVIS. If approved by VIS, the student may drop below full-time.

  If the reduced course load is approved by VIS, it is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the appropriate courses by the university deadlines.  Specific drop/withdrawal deadlines can be found on the academic calendar.  It is also important to consider financial liability deadlines (i.e. fees charged when a course is dropped) when deciding if withdrawing from a course is appropriate.

  Application process

  The "Academic Reduced Course Load" request requires a recommendation letter from the ESL department or an Academic Advisor on department letterhead. Therefore, students should plan to discuss their situation with an advisor. 

  1. Log in to accessVIS through "Full Services" using your NetID and Password.
  2. Navigate to F-1 Student Services located on the left sidebar, and then complete the Reduced Course Load request form in its entirety. Be sure to upload the following documents when prompted:
     • Written personal statement outlining the conditions/situation causing the need for a reduced course load.
     • Recommendation from ESL or Academic Advisor on department letterhead.
     • Late Drop/Withdrawal Form Requiring VIS Signature (if applicable).

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

• Final Semester of Study

  
  Final Semester of Study
  

  A reduced course load for final semester of study permits F-1 students to reduce their course load below full-time if it is the final semester of study and less than a full course load is needed to graduate.*

  If students only need one course to complete their program of study, the course cannot be completed through online or distance education.  If a student needs more than one class in the final term to complete the course of study, the student must still comply with the standard limit on distance/online education of 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G), which allows no more than one class/three credits to be counted towards the full course of study count.

  * For undergraduate students, full-time is defined as 12 credits/semester, while for graduate level students, full-time is defined as 9 credit hours.

  Important Considerations

  If a student will complete all degree requirements and graduate at the end of a winter session or summer session, those terms are then considered a regular semester/term for DHS reporting and registration requirements. They are no longer considered to be an annual vacation/break term because it is the final term.

  To maintain F-1 status and stay in the U.S. (including eligibility to apply for post-completion OPT), a student must follow the same registration requirements they normally would during the fall and spring semesters. This includes full-time enrollment and a limitation on the number of fully online classes.

  If a student needs less than a full course load to complete their degree program, then an approved 'Reduced Course Load for Final Semester of Study' is required to maintain status. If approved for a RCL for the summer/winter semester, the student must enroll for at least 1 credit.

  Eligibility

  To be eligible, an Academic Advisor or Academic Department representative must confirm that less than a full course of study is needed to graduate and verify the student will graduate at the end of the term for which the reduced course load is authorized.

  Students who need a reduced course load must submit a complete request in accessVIS before the end of the Add/Drop period. Specific drop/withdrawal deadlines can be found on the academic calendar. 

  If a student is enrolled full-time and realizes after the Add/Drop period that it is their final semester, they may also apply. However, students must maintain full-time enrollment until VIS approves the Final Semester Reduced Course Load.

  Students who drop below full-time without a VIS approved RCL are considered out of status. This immigration violation could result in SEVIS termination and other serious consequences.

  Application process

  In order to request authorization from VIS for a reduced course load you must login to accessVIS and complete the "Reduced Course Load" request.

  1. Login to accessVIS through "Full Services" using your NetID and password.
  2. Click on F-1 Student Services (located on the left sidebar toward the bottom of the webpage).
  3. Complete the "Reduced Course Load" request. Note, undergraduate students must upload the Major/Minor Progress Review Form, completed by their Undergraduate Major Department Advisor(s).

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

• Medical

  
  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 temporary illness or mental/medical health difficulties. A medical reduced course load, when approved, allows the student to remain in the U.S. and maintain their F-1 status while seeking medical treatment inside the U.S.

  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 medical reduced course load is needed, the student must submit a new letter for the additional semester(s).

  If a student cannot register for any classes (zero credits) due to a medical condition, they should also apply for a Medical Leave of Absence from the university. 

  Students authorized for a medical underload for zero (0) credits, are not be eligible to work on campus, as enrollment is required to be "cleared for hire." They would also not be eligible for off-campus employment authorization as full-time enrollment is one of the eligibility requirements.

  Eligibility

  In order to be eligible for a medical reduced course load, the student must obtain medical documentation from their treating physician to substantiate the need for an underload. A letter (on letterhead) from a licensed medical doctor, psychiatrist, doctor of osteopathy or clinical psychologist recommending a reduced course load be authorized due to the student's current medical illness/condition is required. The letter must include:

  • The recommended number of credits (or zero credits if necessary)
  • The term or period of time you are recommended to maintain a reduced course load
  • The treating physician's physical signature.

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

  Application process

  To request a medical reduced course load, complete and submit the "Reduced Course Load" request in accessVIS indicating "Medical" as the reason for requesting the reduced course load. 

  Follow the instructions below to access the request form.

  1. Login to accessVIS through "Full Services" using your NetID and password.
  2. Click on F-1 Student Services (located on the left sidebar toward the bottom of the webpage).
  3. Complete the "Reduced Course Load" request, uploading a copy of letter provided by your treating physician. 

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

• Concurrent Enrollment

  
  Concurrent Enrollment

  Under F-1 visa regulations, F-1 students may in certain situations maintain full-time status through concurrent enrollment.

  Concurrent enrollment is a situation in which you enroll in a full course load, but your classes are taken at two or more different schools. For example, you might be a graduate student required to take 9 credit hours in order to maintain full-time enrollment. Under concurrent enrollment, you can do this by taking (as an example) 6 credits at Stony Brook University, and 3 credits at another university.

  eligibility Requirements

  In order to count any credits taken at another school toward your full-time status as a SBU F-1 student, these requirements must be met:

  • The credits must be from a U.S. college or university approved to sponsor F-1 international students for academic programs.
  • The credits must be transferable back to SBU and applicable toward your SBU degree.
  • You must be enrolled in at least one class at SBU during the concurrent enrollment semester.
  • Compliance with the standard limit on distance/online education courses, allowing no more than one class or three credits to be counted towards the full course of study count.
  • The total number of credits must still fulfill a full-time course load requirement.

  Procedure for Concurrent Enrollment

  Concurrent enrollment is approved on a term-by-term basis. The following procedure must be adhered to for each term of concurrent enrollment:

  1. Begin by exploring course options offered by another college or university. Consult with your academic advisor or GPC to discuss recommendations or suitability of the desired class. Ensure that the credits earned can be transferred back to your SBU program and applied toward your degree. Do not assume that credits can be transferred back to SBU without talking to your academic advisor first.
  2. Once you, in consultation with your academic advisor, have determined the appropriateness of the class, proceed to register for it. It is your responsibility, as the student, to understand and follow the registration, enrollment, billing, and academic policies and procedures of the college or university where you are taking the class.
  3. Submit the Reduced Course Load Request in accessVIS, selecting "Concurrent Enrollment" as the reason for your reduced course load at SBU. Ensure that your course schedule for the semester you are requesting concurrent enrollment is finalized to prevent processing delays.
  4. Please allow 5-7 business days for processing. If approved, you will receive a new I-20 with concurrent enrollment information included on page 1 in the remarks section.

  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.