Reduced Course Load (RCL)

U.S. immigration regulations require F-1 and J-1 students to be registered full-time (12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate and 9 credit hours for graduate students). 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f)(6)(iii)/ 22 C.F.R. § 62.23(e).

Students may be approved for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) in only very specific circumstances. An approved RCL allows part-time enrollment, but may still have specific credit requirements depending on the RCL reason.

RCL Reasons and Request Process

Final Semester

Students may be authorized to take a reduced course load in their final semester at Rice if they do not need a full-time course load to complete requirements for their degree program (including major and minor requirements for undergraduate students). Students should note that failure to complete degree requirements as planned during the final semester may cause issues with their immigration status.

Enrollment Requirements with Final Semester RCL Approval

With a Final Semester RCL approval, students are required to take at least the number of credits required to complete their degree program.

No more than 3 of the remaining credits can be taken online. Additionally, since in-person enrollment is required with RCL approval, students with only three credits remaining in their final semester must take those credits in person.

OISS Request Process for Final Semester RCL

Work with your major advisor to complete the Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request Form and submit the form to OISS at http://bit.ly/oissdocs.

OISS will notify the student and the Office of Academic Advising (undergrads) or GPS (graduate students) once the RCL has been approved from an immigration standpoint. Students may adjust their enrollment in the necessary credits for their last semester during the standard registration period, but if the drop to part-time status takes place after the first two weeks of classes, it is imperative that the student does not drop their course load until they receive confirmation that OISS has approved the RCL request.

Illness or Medical Condition

Students may be approved for a reduced course load due to temporary physical or mental illness or medical condition. Medical RCL authorizations cannot exceed a total of 12 months within one academic program. Medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, a licensed doctor of osteopathy, a licensed psychologist, or a licensed clinical psychologist is required to substantiate the illness or medical condition.

Enrollment Requirements with Medical RCL Approval

With a Medical RCL approval, students may reduce their course load to what is recommended by a medical provider. No more than three credits can be taken online, unless the course load is three credits or fewer, in which case all credits must be taken in person.

If properly documented by a medical professional, the Medical RCL can be granted to authorize a zero-credit course load. However, if you intend to seek care in your home country and will be absent for a longer duration, it may sometimes be recommended to close your immigration status to conserve time towards the 12-month maximum of available Medical RCL. Please schedule an appointment with OISS to discuss your situation.

OISS Request Process for Medical RCL

Obtain a letter from a licensed medical doctor, a licensed doctor of osteopathy, a licensed psychologist, or a licensed clinical psychologist. The letter must confirm that the reduced course load is necessary and indicate the duration of the recommended reduced course load. This letter should be submitted to OISS at http://bit.ly/oissdocs, along with a completed Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request Form.

OISS will notify the student and the Office of Academic Advising (undergrads) or GPS (graduate students) once the RCL has been approved from an immigration standpoint. It is imperative that the student does not drop their course load until they receive confirmation that OISS has approved the RCL request.

Academic Difficulty (first semester only)

Students in their first semester may be authorized for a reduced course load if they are experiencing academic difficulties for one or more of the following reasons:

  • Initial difficulty with the English language
  • Initial difficulty with reading requirements
  • Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
  • Improper course level placement

Before pursuing a reduced course load authorization due to academic difficulty, it is important to discuss your situation with your major advisor, the Office of Academic Advising, and other on-campus resources to see if there are other options before reducing your course load.

Enrollment Requirements with Academic Difficulty RCL Approval

With this type of RCL approval, students are required to continue to take at least a 50% course load, i.e., at least 6 credits for undergrads and at least 4.5 credits for graduate students. No more than 3 of these credits can be taken online.

OISS Request Process for Academic Difficulty RCL

Schedule a meeting with your OISS advisor to discuss your situation. Be prepared to explain what other options you have pursued to help you manage the challenges you are experiencing.

If the reduced course load is deemed necessary, work with your major advisor to complete the Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request Form and submit the form to OISS at http://bit.ly/oissdocs.

OISS will notify the student and the Office of Academic Advising (undergrads) or GPS (graduate students) once the RCL has been approved from an immigration standpoint. It is imperative that the student does not drop their course load until they receive confirmation that OISS has approved the RCL request.