J -1 Reduced Course Load Info

The U.S. immigration service understands that certain situations may prevent a student from enrolling full time. Because of this, they allow students to take less than a full course load for specific approved reasons.

Important: These reasons are only valid if you receive prior approval from an OISVS advisor before reducing your course load. To get approval, you must complete and submit the Reduced Course Load (RCL) Form. If you qualify for a reduced course load but do not get approval in advance, you will be in violation of your visa status.

Acceptable reasons for a Reduced Course Load include:

• It is your final semester, and you need fewer courses to graduate.
  
  

• You have a valid academic reason. Along with the RCL form, you must submit a letter from your academic advisor or faculty advisor explaining the situation, and establishing the following points:

  • a student is compelled to take less than a full course of study due to legitimate academic circumstances, such as difficulty with course prerequisites, scheduling conflicts, or academic probation. 

  • The student has been making normal academic progress

  • The advisor is supportive of the RCL request

• You have a medical condition. A letter from your physician must accompany the RCL form, stating you are unable to study full time.
  
  

Note: If you are not physically in the U.S., you are not required to follow J-1 visa regulations related to full-time enrollment.

The following reasons are not acceptable for a Reduced Course Load under J-1 visa regulations and will not be approved:

• Financial difficulties
  
  

• Medical illness of a family member or friend
  
  

• Preparing for exams such as the GMAT, GRE, CPA, or similar tests
  
  

• Suspension from your academic program
  
  

• Completing coursework from a previous term (incompletes)

J-1 students must complete the Reduced Course Load (RCL) Form for each semester they are not enrolled full time. This form must be submitted to OISVS and approved before enrolling in less than a full course load, or before dropping/withdrawing from classes that would result in part-time enrollment.

Failure to get prior approval from OISVS will lead to the loss of your legal J-1 visa status.

Submission instructions and reminders:

• All students must submit their RCL form to an OISVS advisor either during walk-in hours or by scheduled appointment.
  
  

• OISVS advisors will review and make the final decision on whether your reduced course load request is acceptable.
  
  

• Once approved by OISVS, the RCL form allows you to legally maintain your J-1 student status.

If you are ill and unable to attend classes, OISVS strongly recommends that you see a doctor as soon as possible. If your doctor advises you to withdraw from classes or not enroll due to your medical condition, you may be eligible to submit a Reduced Course Load (RCL) Form along with a supporting letter from your physician.

The medical documentation must clearly state that your request for a reduced course load is due to medical reasons.

Requirements for the supporting letter:

• Must be written by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or a licensed clinical psychologist
  
  

• Must clearly state whether you are:
  
  

  • Unable to maintain full-time enrollment, or
    
    

  • Unable to enroll in any classes at all

• • Timeframe of the recommended absence or reduced course load
    
    

Note: The illness of a family member or friend is not considered a valid reason for reduced enrollment under J-1 visa regulations. 

J-1 students at Abilene Christian University must meet the full-course enrollment requirement at ACU during the academic year, as stated on the DS-2019.

• You are allowed to take classes at another school during the summer without restrictions.
  
  

• In rare and exceptional cases, OISVS may allow a student to take a class at another school during the academic year. However, you must get prior approval from your academic advisor and the OISVS before enrolling elsewhere. To do this, submit:
  
  

  • The Reduced Course Load Form, and
    
    

A copy of the registration statement from the other school showing the number of enrolled credits.

If you do not enroll full time and do not have an approved, valid reason, the following consequences may apply:

• Violation of your legal J-1 visa status
  
  

• Loss of eligibility for both on-campus and off-campus employment
  
  

• Ineligibility to transfer to another school or J-1 program sponsor
  
  

• Ineligibility to change your visa status

Depending on the reason for your Reduced Course Load (RCL) request, you may need to upload additional documentation.
For example:

RCL Due to Medical Reason – Upload a medical letter from a licensed healthcare provider as required.