Reduced Course Load

Reduced Course Load process (this information can be found on the OGS website)

All F-1 and J-1 international students must register full-time every semester or receive permission from OGS for a reduced course load (RCL), which is anything less than full-time registration.

For graduate students, typically a minimum of 9 credits is considered full-time enrollment. However, you should confirm with your academic department as to what full-time enrollment is for your academic program.

F-1 and J-1 international students are required to apply for an authorized reduced course load if it is your last semester before you graduate and you have fewer than full-time credits left to finish your degree or program. 

If you register or drop below full-time without permission from OGS AND your academic department, then you will lose the benefits of F-1 and J-1 status and you will be unable to stay and study in the US. This may impact your eligibility for F-1 CPT or OPT or J-1 Academic Training.

If you have concerns about course enrollment during your last semester, speak with an OGS advisor before your course registration is complete.

How to Apply

Step 1

Contact Your Academic Department

Contact your academic department to learn more about factors to consider and understand before registering for anything less than full-time. These factors could include:

• graduation filing requirements, 

• scholarship eligibility, and

• other steps you need to take to get academic department approval for registering below full-time.

Once you've confirmed with your academic department, register for the classes you intend/need to take, even if that means you will register below what is considered full-time for your academic program. You will then seek permission from OGS for that reduced course load amount as indicated in Step 2.

Step 2

Submit Your Reduced Course Load Permission Request to OGS

E-FORM: Permission Request for Reduced Course Load in the Last Semester [International Students Only]

If you experience difficulty with the online request form, review our troubleshooting tips.

If Your Request is Approved

You will be notified by email within 5-7 business days.

If Your Request is Not Approved

You must register full-time. If you register or drop to below full-time without OGS permission, you will lose the benefits of lawful student status and be unable to stay and study in the US.

CONTACT US