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. 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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