what documents should an international student with reduced course load take when returning home

Please bring your support documentation, DS-2019 (formerly IAP-66), passport and I-94 card with you to your appointment. Upon approval, you will receive a letter of authorization from the ISSO verifying your lawful J-1 status during your reduced course load. Keep this letter for your records.

Full Answer

What are the regulations for reduced course loads for F-1 students?

Student must maintain a minimum six-credit course load, or half the clock hours required for a full course of study Find the regulations addressing reduced course loads for F-1 students at: Title 8 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 214.2 (f) (6) (iii)- (iv)

Can a J-1 student apply for a reduced course load (RCL)?

As an international student in F-1 or J-1 status, if you receive permission from OGS for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) due to medical reasons, you are allowed to keep your F-1 or J-1 record active and remain legally in the US.

How do I authorize to drop below full course (RCL)?

Click Authorize To Drop Below Full Course. The Authorize to Drop Below Full Course page one opens. Click Update. It is located in the Command column to the right of the RCL segment you want to edit. The Authorize to Drop Below Full Course page two opens. Enter any updates relevant to the RCL authorization.

How do I apply for reduced course load permission?

Submit Your Reduced Course Load Permission Request to OGS with a medical letter meeting the following requirements: states that either reduced course load or zero course load is recommended for you for a specific semester due to a temporary illness or medical condition

Can international students take less than 12 credits in last semester?

Federal student immigration regulations only allow for one 4-credit class to count towards the minimum full-time enrollment requirement of 12 credits.

What happens if I take less than 12 credits international students?

A student on an F-1 visa will not be granted permission to take fewer than 12 credits during the fall or spring term if s/he does not get permission from ISS. Permission to take fewer than 12 credits in a given semester is only valid for the semester/term indicated on the application.

Which are valid reasons for 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. ... Being in your final term or semester.

What does reduced course load mean?

A Reduced Course Load (RCL) is a permission from an ISS Advisor to enroll below the full-time requirements for a given semester. Federal regulations provide limited circumstances when an F-1 student may be authorized for an RCL.

Can international student take 9 credits?

F-1 degree seeking students can count three credits in an online/distance learning course per semester toward the full-time enrollment requirement. Therefore, a minimum of 9 out of 12 credits for undergraduates must be on-campus, face-to-face.

Can international students drop courses?

You can withdraw from a class if you have received written authorization from ISSS for a reduced course load.

What is improper course level placement?

If the reason is “improper course level placement,” the letter should explain the missing prerequisite courses or skills that prevented the student from being academic successful.

How many credits do you need for F-1 visa?

12 credit hoursF-1 undergraduate students at a college or university must take at least 12 credit hours per term. F-1 students in postgraduate programs at a college, university, conservatory or seminary must take a full course of study as certified by the institution.

What is a full time student at UC Berkeley?

Be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units in the academic term, unless on the degree list for the term. For financial aid purposes, 12 units per semester is considered full-time enrollment. Enrollment for less than 12 units per term may reduce your eligibility for certain types of aid.

Can part-time students change full-time?

Universities and Colleges of Education Won't Allow Part-Time Students to Cross to Full-time. If you're admitted on a part-time basis by a university or college of education, you must be ready to complete your studies and graduate as a part-time student as both don't offer such opportunities.

How many credits should a medical student complete per semester?

A college student is considered to be enrolled on a full-time basis for student financial aid purposes if they are enrolled for at least 12 credits a semester. Since a class typically requires at least three credits, 12 credits will require four classes per semester.

How much is tuition at Umich?

In-state tuition 15,948 USD, Out-of-state tuition 52,266 USD (2019 – 20)University of Michigan / Undergraduate tuition and fees

What is an RCL for F1?

If F-1 students experience a medical emergency or event and need a break from their studies, they should work with the Center for International Students (CIS) to request a reduced course load (RCL) for medical conditions. The CIS may authorize an RCL (or, if necessary, no course load) due to a student’s temporary illness or medical condition for up to 12 months during the course of study at that program level.

How many credit hours are required for F-1?

A full course load is defined as 12 credit hours for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for graduate students.

How many semesters can you take in college?

Each student is limited to one approved semester below a full course load prior to the final semester of the program. In the final semester of their program, students are allowed to take less than a full course load if that is the number of credits needed to complete their degree.

International Student and Study Abroad Services

In some limited situations, F-1 international students may request to take less than the usually allowed full-time course load.

Reduced Course Loads for F-1 students

In some limited situations, F-1 international students may request to take less than the usually allowed full-time course load.

What does reduced course load mean?

A reduced course load can mean taking only part-time classes or no classes if medically warranted. Please note: under F-1 regulations, only a written recommendation by a medical doctor, a licensed clinical psychologist, or doctor of osteopathy can be accepted for purposes of authorizing a reduced course load.

Who must provide a written letter to the International Center?

You must provide the International Center a written letter from a US medical doctor, licensed clinical psychologist, or doctor of osteopathy that recommends a reduced course load for medical reasons.

How many SHUs are required for F-1?

As an F-1 student, you must register full-time (a minimum of 12 SHUs for undergraduate students, 9 SHUs for graduate students) every fall and spring term. Failure to study full-time is considered a serious violation of F-1 regulations. However, you can request a reduced course load in certain situations as described below. Unless otherwise indicated, you must get authorization from the International Center BEFORE you drop below full-time enrollment.

How many SHUs are there for part time?

Initial Academic Difficulties. You can request permission to reduce to part-time enrollment (no fewer than 6 SHUs for undergraduates or 5 SHUs for graduates) if you are in your first academic year of degree study and are having initial academic adjustment difficulties.

What doctor should I write a recommendation letter for F-1?

Please note: under F-1 regulations, only a written recommendation by a medical doctor, a licensed clinical psychologist, or doctor of osteopathy can be accepted for purposes of authorizing a reduced course load. The letter should be written on the doctor's letterhead and indicate the doctor's NPI or other identifying number.

How many semesters are you allowed to take in a summer?

Annual Summer Vacation. You are allowed a summer vacation as long as you have completed two consecutive semesters of full-time study (normally fall and spring) and will continue full-time studies in the following fall semester after the summer is over.

What is an exception for improper course placement?

An exception may be made for the Improper Course Placement reason, which allows for a reduced course load whenever a student is incorrectly advised to take or placed in a class that was too advanced, and should have been placed in a more fundamental class level instead.

How many in person classes are required for a final semester?

For students who need less than a full-course load to graduate in the specified term. Note: Students must be registered for at least one in-person course during their final semester.

Can an academic advisor approve a RCL request?

Your academic adviser cannot approve your request before having this discussion. Failure to contact your adviser may cause serious delays in processing your request. A student may request an RCL only one time per semester. Download the RCL request form, fill it out, and have your academic advisor sign it.

Do you have to state medical condition in a letter?

The letter does not need to state the specific medical condition, but must indicate that the condition requires less than full-time enrollment. Requires evidence that the internship is a requirement of the program, or documentation that the student is participating in a co-op program.

Can you use an RCL based on academic difficulty?

If a student fears the possibility of doing poorly in a course but their situation is not reflected by one of the 3 reasons listed above, they are not eligible for an RCL based on academic difficulty. An academic difficulty RCL may only be used one time (one semester) Students must maintain half-time enrollment during the semester ...

Do you need to provide evidence of employment for a full time internship?

Students in an academic program requiring a full-time internship need to provide documented evidence indicating employment is required for degree completion. Students who participate in a co-op program need to provide documented evidence of co-op approval from your college or academic department.

How often can you take a reduced course load?

A reduced course load for academic difficulties may be taken only once per academic degree level. Students who are in their last academic term of their program of study may not need a full-time course load to complete the requirements for their degree.

Why is my course reduced?

The reasons allowed for a reduced coursed are: Improper course placement (e.g. you registered for a course and then you and/or the professor discover that a prerequisite requirement is needed) Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods. Initial difficulty with English language.

Can you apply for a reduced course load if you fail a class?

Failing a class is not a sufficient reason to apply for a reduced course load. Students who are in their last academic term of their program of study may not need a full-time course load to complete the requirements for their degree.

How long can you stay on a J1?

Only twelve months (approximately 3 semesters) of medical leave ...

Do I need a new DS-2019?

Students in J-1 status do not need a new DS-2019 to reflect the medical leave or reduced course load. Please note: If you will need more time to finish your degree because of your leave of absence or reduced course load, you will also need to apply for an extension before your I-20 or DS-2019 expires. If you need to extend your medical leave of ...

Do I need to use my I-20 to return to the US?

If you are returning to the US from abroad, then you must use your most recent I-20 or DS-2019 to return to the US with a valid travel signature. If the signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 will be more than a year old by the time you reenter the US, you need to get a new signature before you travel.

Can I reenter the US if my student visa expired?

If your visa has expired, you must renew your student visa prior to returning to the US.

How many times can you request an RCL?

Failure to contact your advisor may cause serious delays in processing your request. A student should request an RCL only one time per semester.

How many credits are required for academic difficulty?

Students must maintain half-time enrollment (at least 3 credits for graduate and 6 for undergraduate students) during the semester of reduced course load. Limited to 12 months of reduced course load per degree level.

Do you have to get ISSS approval before dropping off?

You must receive ISSS's approval BEFORE you drop below a full course of study. You should not withdraw from the credits until you are approved. Failure to enroll full-time without an approved reduced course load results in the Accrual of Unlawful Presence and the loss of eligibility to maintain on-campus employment.

Can I get a RCL based on academic difficulty?

If a student fears the possibility of doing poorly in a course but their situation is not reflected by one of the four reasons listed above, they are not eligible for a RCL based on academic difficulty. Academic difficulty may be used one time (one semester) per degree level.

Can I request a reduced course load?

A student may request a Reduced Course Load (RCL) if they meet the criteria outlined by immigration regulations. Acceptable reasons are listed below. A request must be supported by a student’s academic advisor and pre-approved by ISSS before it takes effect. You must receive ISSS's approval BEFORE you drop below a full course of study.

Steps For Requesting A Reduced Course Load

Acceptable Reasons For A Reduced Course Load

Unacceptable Reasons For A Reduced Course Load

Failure to Enroll Full-Time Without An Approved Reduced Course Load