Reduced Course Load Request - Final Semester (RCL)
F-1 iStudents can be authorized for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) for two reasons:
- Students who are in the final semester of their program and have less than a full-time course load remaining need to be authorized with Immigration for a RCL. Students should be certain that they will indeed complete their program during the semester for which they have requested an RCL since an RCL cannot be authorized two semesters in a row and the student's SEVIS record will be shortened to reflect their indicated graduation date. If this is your reason for requesting RCL, please complete the form below.
- Students who are experiencing an illness or medical condition that inhibits their ability to attend classes. Students in this situation need medical documentation from a licensed Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Clinical Psychologist. The letter from the licensed practitioner needs to be dated within one month of the RCL date. In the letter, it needs to state that the condition limits or completely prohibits ability to fulfill course requirements. These students should complete the Reduced Course Load Request - Medical (RCL) form instead.
Please note: RCL can ONLY be approved during a students' final semester of study or if they have a documented Illness or Medical Condition.
Processing Time: Medical Reduced Course Loads are expected to take about 1 week (5 business days) to process while Final Semester Reduced Course Loads are only processed at the beginning of each semester. Read more on our Maintain Your Status page.
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