Reduced Course Load

SEVP requires all students to maintain full-time enrollment during the duration of their program with minimum exceptions. Students who are in a degree program at EMU must maintain the following enrollment during the academic year:

Undergraduates: Minimum of 12 credits per semester, with no less than 9 in-person credits.

Graduate/PhD: Minimum 8 credits per semester, with no less than 5 in-person credits.

Under certain circumstances, students may be authorized to drop below a full course load if they fall under the following categories. 

Final Term RCL: 

Students in their final term who do not need a full course load of credits to finish their degree. Although a student can drop below a full-time course load, they are required to be enrolled in at least one in-person class during their final term, and at least one class that is required to finish their program. Students should apply for this after enrolling in all courses needed for degree completion and no later than the 100% add/drop deadline of the student’s final semester.

Steps to apply:

  1. Enroll in all remaining courses for degree completion
  2. Work with your academic advisor to complete the RCL Academic Advisor Form - Final Term
  3. Submit your request for approval through our Reduced Course Load form

You must receive approval for a Final Term RCL no later than the 100% add/drop deadline otherwise your immigration status will be at risk.

Please note: If you submit your request for a Final Term RCL prior to the start of the semester, we will not be able to issue you an I-20 with the RCL notated until after the semester has started.

Academic Difficulties RCL:

Students who are in the first term of their program and are experiencing difficulties with U.S. teaching methods, the English language, or the reading requirement, can apply for an Academic Difficulties RCL. This RCL is only valid for the first term of a student's program. Students must regularly attend classes and cannot apply for this RCL until after the 100% Add/Drop Deadline has passed. Academic Difficulties RCL requests will no longer be considered after 1 month from the start of classes. 

Students are still required to maintain at least 50% of their enrollment, and cannot take all online courses. 

Important: You must be enrolled in a full course load of credits before applying. Only after OISS has authorized the RCL will you be allowed to drop below the full-time credit requirement. Students who have dropped courses before receiving approval for a RCL will be considered to be out of status.

Eligibility:

  • Must be the student’s first semester in the U.S.; transfer students and students who have previously enrolled in courses in the U.S. are not eligible
  • Must be enrolled full-time
  • Must apply after the 100% add/drop deadline and no later than the end of the first month of the semester
  • Must be experiencing academic difficulties due to one of the following reasons:
    • Initial difficulty with English language
    • Initial difficulty with reading requirement
    • Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods

Steps to apply:

 

Students who are considering an Academic Difficulties RCL should first work with their academic advisor to seek out academic support services on campus prior to applying for a RCL.

Medical RCL: 

Students who have any medical condition that prohibits them from taking a full course load of classes can apply for a medical RCL.

Important: Unless you are applying for a consecutive Medical RCL, you must be enrolled in a full course load of credits before applying. Only after OISS has authorized the RCL will you be allowed to drop below the full-time credit requirement. If you drop your classes before authorization has been granted OISS cannot approve your RCL request. 

Students must provide documentation from a U.S. licensed:

  • Medical doctor
  • Psychiatrist
  • Doctor of osteopathy
  • Licensed psychologist or clinical psychologist
The letter should include the following information and be written on official letterhead:
  • Academic Term that RCL is being applied
  • Amount of classes student will be taking, no classes or part-time enrollment
  • Basic reason for Medical RCL, while observing patient/doctor confidentially
  • Basic treatment plan for student during Medical RCL term, while observing patient/doctor confidentially
  • Doctor's credentials, including profession, issue, and expiration date of license, state where license was granted

Students can only use a maximum of 12 months of medical RCLs per degree level, and medical RCLs must be renewed each term if the student is unable to enroll full-time due to medical reasons. 

Students should fill out the Reduced Course Load Form to apply for an RCL. 

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