Reduced Course Load for Current International Students

Students who experience difficulties meeting degree or course requirements may be eligible to enroll less than full-time in certain situations.

F-1 students may be authorized for an academic reduced course load (RCL) during their first semester in their degree program for initial difficulties with the English language, initial difficulties with reading requirements, unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods, or improper course-level placement.

J-1 students may be authorized for academic reduced course loads at any time during their degree program for any legitimate academic reason.

To receive an academic RCL, a student would need to work with both their Academic Advisor and an International Services Specialist to make sure their situation is appropriate for this type of RCL.

If ISSS approves a student for an academic RCL, the student can drop down to as little as half-time enrollment.

Minimum Credits Required under an Approved Academic RCL

• Undergraduate Students
  • 6 credits during the fall and spring semester
  • 3 credits during the summer term

• Graduate Students
  • 2.5 credits during fall and spring semesters
  • 1.5 credits during the summer term
  • Graduate students in professional programs at CU Anschutz may have higher requirements.

General Academic RCL Requirements for F-1 Students

For any F-1 student to be eligible for an academic RCL, they must meet the following requirements:

• The student must be in the first semester of their degree program.

• The student has not been authorized for a previous academic RCL at the same degree level (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD).

• The student must resume a full course of study during the next available term, session, or semester to maintain student status:

• Unless required by their degree program, students are not required to enroll during the summer term.

RCL Specific Requirements for F-1 Students

For F-1 students, each academic RCL also has specific requirements that must be met.

• Initial Difficulty with the English Language

Students may be eligible to request this RCL if they are having trouble in their courses because their English language ability may not be strong enough to be successful in their program.

• Initial Difficulty with Reading Requirements

Students may be eligible to request this RCL if they are having trouble in their courses due to reading requirements.

• Unfamiliarity with American Teaching Methods

Students may be eligible to request this RCL if they are having trouble meeting course expectations that are common in classrooms in the United States that are not typical in their home country.

• Improper Course-Level Placement

Students may be eligible to request this RCL if

• they were misadvised to take a particular course,
• they are enrolled in a course for which they have not met the prerequisites, OR
• they are struggling in a class where the level of course material is beyond their academic ability.

All academic RCLs are approved on a case-by-case basis after reviewing the student’s situation. Students will need the support of their Academic Advisor or Academic Dean to receive any academic RCL.

If you believe that you may be eligible for an academic RCL, please schedule an appointment with an International Services Specialist. 

If an International Services Specialist determines that a student may be eligible for an academic RCL, the student will be directed on how to submit the appropriate request in MyISSS.

If you have a medical emergency, illness, mental health concern, or other condition that prevents you from maintaining full-time enrollment, you can request a medical reduced course load (RCL).

A medical reduced course load must be approved by a medical professional mentioned in F-1 or J-1 regulations.

F-1 students can provide a medical RCL letter from a licensed medical doctor (MD), a licensed doctor of osteopathy (DO), a licensed psychologist, or a licensed clinical psychologist.

J-1 students can provide a medical RCL letter from a physician.

The letter should indicate if you will enroll less than full-time or have no enrollment. If you are limited to online classes, please ask your medical provider to include that in the letter.

Please provide the Sample Letter for a Medical Reduced Course Load to the medical provider who will write your medical RCL letter.

After you have the required letter, please log in to MyISSS to submit your medical RCL request:

• F-1 students should complete the Reduced Course Load for Medical Reasons request form in the F-1 Student Services section.

• J-1 students should complete the J-1 Reduced Course Load request form in the J-1 Student Services section.

If you have questions about your eligibility or the process, please schedule an ISSS student advising appointment or participate in ISSS walk-in hours.

If you reach your final semester and you need less than full-time enrollment to complete your degree, you can request a final semester reduced course load (RCL).

Your academic advisor must confirm the number of credits required to complete your degree before ISSS can approve the RCL.

To begin the final semester RCL process, please log in to MyISSS and complete the correct request form:

• F-1 students who need a final semester RCL should complete the Reduced Course Load for Final Semester request form in the F-1 Student Services section.

• J-1 students should complete the J-1 Reduced Course Load request form in the J-1 Student Services section.

If you have questions about your eligibility or the process, please schedule an ISSS student advising appointment or participate in ISSS walk-in hours.