Embedded Files
In general, F-1 students must be registered full-time. This is defined as at least:
- EAP: registered at the appropriate level and adhere to the attendance policy each semester
- Undergraduate: 12 credit hours each academic semester (fall and spring)
- Graduate: 9 credit hours each academic semester (fall and spring)
- Doctoral: 6 credit hours each academic semester (fall and spring)
- Students entering SFBC in the summer must enroll in 9 credit hours for undergraduate, and 6 credit hours for graduate.
Online Courses: Only one online course may count towards the minimum credit amount each semester. According to the F-1 regulations, an online course is one that “does not require the student’s physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to completion of the class.” Therefore, any course that has some sort of physical attendance requirement, such as for a lecture, exam, or faculty meeting is not considered fully online for visa status purposes.
Do not register for fewer than required number of credits or withdraw from a course without first receiving permission from ISSD. Part-time studies could jeopardize your stay in the U.S. and make you ineligible for F-1 benefits.
Reduced Course Load (RCL)
F-1 students studying in the United States must enroll in a full course of study at SFBC.
However, under certain circumstances, F-1 students may be eligible to maintain student status while enrolled in a reduced course load.
Qualifying circumstances for a regular F-1 student to receive a reduced course load authorization include:
Medical condition or illness.
Certain initial academic difficulties, including:
Improper course level placement.*
Initial difficulty with the English language.*
Initial difficulty with reading requirements.*
Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods.*
Being in your final term or semester.
*Only applicable during the first semester in the degree program. Students must also maintain at least six credit hours, if authorized.
If you feel you may be eligible for a reduced course load, speak with the DSO before dropping any classes or reducing your attendance. Your DSO can help you figure out if the regulations for reduced course load apply to you and give you permission to drop below a full course of study for a term or semester at a time. If you are eligible, your DSO needs to authorize a reduce course load in your I-20.
ISSD will also verify your Reduced Course Load Authorization request with your Academic Advisor or Program Chair/Coordinator before granting approval.
Dropping below these requirements without prior DSO approval will result in being out of status.
Full-time Enrollment Exceptions
A. Academic Reduced Course Load
A. Difficulty with English Language or Reading Requirements*
B. Unfamiliarity with U.S. Teaching Methods*
C. Improper Course Level Placement*
*Only applicable during the first semester in the degree program. Students must also maintain at least six credit hours, if authorized.
If you believe one of these applies to you, please schedule an appointment with the DSO to assess your situation.
B. Illness or Medical Condition
A student's temporary illness or medical condition can be reason for a reduced course load (or, if necessary, no course load). Authorization for a reduced course load due to medical reasons is limited to a total of 12 months (cumulative 365 days) per degree level. A student must provide a letter on letterhead signed by an appropriate medical official in order to request an RCL for medical reasons.
Students must discuss their request for a medical reduced course load with their Academic Advisor, prior to submitting the request form.
Submitting Medical RCL Request:
Step 1: Click here to Request Authorization for Reduced Course Load
You will also need to upload the Medical Leave Request Form and a letter (on letterhead) from your Licensed Doctor containing the following:
Be on the medical/clinical practice's stationary/letterhead
Include the student's full name and date of birth
Recommend the student take a reduced course load due to the student's own medical health reasons
Be signed by a currently practicing licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy or licensed clinical psychologist, and include the medical/clinical official's license number
Be dated and specify for which semester the reduced course load (or, if necessary, no course load) is being recommended
Step 2: Once approved by the Vice President of Student Life, contact the billing office to make payment for the applicable maintenance fee and verify any pending fees due to course withdrawal.
Step 3: Once cleared by the billing office, DSO will process your request and update your I-20. You will be notified via email with a PDF version of your updated I-20.
Applicable Maintenance Fee(s): International students requesting a reduced course load (RCL) due to illness or a medical condition must pay the following one-time maintenance fees:
First RCL request: $750.00
Second RCL request: $1,250.00
Responsibility for Tuition upon Course Withdrawal: In addition to the maintenance fees, students are responsible for tuition according to the course withdrawal policy outlined in the Student Handbook, Populi, and on the website:
2nd Week of Class: Responsible for 25% of tuition
3rd Week of Class: Responsible for 50% of tuition
4th Week of Class: Responsible for 75% of tuition
5th Week and Beyond: Responsible for 100% of tuition
Note: A medical reduced course load request must be authorized by the Vice President of Student Life, based on a formal recommendation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist, specifying the recommended leave duration. The note must also state if the student should remain in the U.S. for treatment or return to their home country. Students must provide appropriate medical documentation to support the request.
Withdrawing from courses: International students must get prior approval from the SFBC&TS Academics Department before withdrawing from courses due to illness or medical conditions. Students must fully follow their medical or psychological treatment plan and seek to improve their health and stability.
Currently on approved medical RCL: If a student is currently on an approved reduced course load and their physician recommends a reduced course load for the following term, the student must submit an updated Reduced Course Load form along with new medical documentation, including a letter from their clinician. ISSD will then send the request to the Vice President of Student Life for final approval.
International students are not authorized for work while on an authorized medical reduced course load.
C. Last Semester at SFBC
Students in their final semester may be approved for a reduced course load if they need fewer than 12 credit hours to complete the course of study.
Click here to request Academic Reduced Course Load if you qualify.
Page updated
Report abuse