Reduced Course Load Authorization

Authorized Reduced Course Load (RCL)

F-1 and J-1 students must enroll full-time every Fall and Spring semester to maintain status unless they qualify for an authorized reduced course load for a specific reason allowed by federal regulations. If a student is authorized for a reduced course load by ISSS they are considered to be maintaining status but are generally not classified as a full-time student by the University.  Your academic department, student employment, scholarship, or other campus offices may have additional requirements for enrollment that the ISSS authorization does not exempt students from.

No more than one online or distance education course (or 3 credits) may count toward the minimum number of credits needed for full-time enrollment while on an authorized reduced course load.  If the student is authorized to take one course that course cannot be fully online. For more information please review Course Registration Requirements.

When to apply

Reduced course loads are approved on a term-by-term basis. 

If requesting before the end of add/drop for the term:

  • Enroll in the requested course load when the reduced course load request is submitted. 
  • If the reduced course load request is denied, the student must enroll full time or become eligible to request a reduced course load before add/drop ends.

If requesting after the end of add/drop for the term:

  • Obtain permission from ISSS and your academic advisor before dropping below full-time
  • Only if an ISSS authorization reduced course load authorization is granted will a student be allowed to drop below full-time.
  • The CIEGS compliance hold prevents dropping or swapping without permission but does not prevent students from adding courses.

Eligible Reasons 

  1. Documented illness or medical condition 
  2. Final semester of required coursework
  3. PhD student done with coursework but not yet admitted to candidacy (3 credit minimum unless otherwise specified by the Graduate School)
  4. Required Standalone Master’s Thesis / Project / Internship (3 credit) or a 1 credit continuation (699C / 698C / 680C) if no other coursework is required.
  5. Doctoral Dissertation (899 or equivalent)
  6. Initial language or cultural difficulties that are affecting academic success

Submit the ISSS Authorized Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request EForm:

  1. Log into AccessISSS. Watch this recording if you need help navigating on the web portal.
  2. Select "Authorized Reduced Course Load (RCL)" from the EForm menu.

All updates related to your EForm will be communicated over email. Please allow up to 5-7 business days for processing.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site/form is provided as a service to international students, faculty and staff at the University at Albany. It does not constitute legal advice. We try to provide useful information, but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this web site or any associated site or form.

Neither the University at Albany nor ISSS is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this website, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel; students may wish to consult an immigration attorney on the specifics of their case as needed.