Reduced Course Load

U.S. government immigration regulations require that F-1 and J-1 international students study full time each Fall and Spring semester, and Summer session (if that is your last term). Full Time enrollment is 12 credit units for undergraduates, or 8 credit units for graduates.  There are limited scenarios in which an exception can be granted. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allows CIE to authorize a reduced course load exclusively for the reasons listed below. Please note that DHS does not consider financial difficulties or the unavailability of certain courses as valid reasons for enrolling in less than a full course of study.

 

Who can approve my RCL and when should I apply? 

Who Can Approval a RCL?

Only a Designated School Official (DSO)- CIE advisors are DSO's, not your academic advisor

When to apply?

You can apply for a Reduced Course Load as soon class registration opens for the semester you are applying for a reduced course load. If you are applying for a reduced course load for last semester, please be enrolled in the classes you have remaining before submitting the request. 

Approval from a CIE Advisor must be granted PRIOR to engaging in a reduced course load. A student who drops below full time enrollment during the semester without PRIOR approval from a CIE Advisor will be considered to be in violation of their immigration status.

What is the Deadline to apply?

All Reduced Course Load requests and documentation are due by the end of the second week of classes. 

 

Reduced Course Load Options

You qualify for this option only if one of the following applies to you:

  1. Initial difficulties during the 1st year of your academic program with the English language, reading requirements, or unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
  2. Improper Course-Level Placement- missing prerequisite courses due to no fault of your own or a course is not available due to sequencing. 

Requirements for an Academic Difficulties Reduced Course Load

  1. Minimum enrollment of 6 units-  if you qualify for Academic Difficulties RCL you must still enroll in at least 6 units.
  2. Verification- you will need to provide a letter from your academic advisor to substantiate the reason for the request.
IMPORTANT NOTE: An RCL for academic difficulties can only be used once per degree level. This option only covers a single semester during any one course of study at a particular program level and you must resume full-time enrollment at the next available semester (excluding eligible vacation semester).

If, due to a serious illness or medical condition, you are unable to be enrolled full-time, (or, if necessary, no course load), you may apply for a Medical RCL. 

Required Documentation: Submit a letter of support from a U.S. doctor. Letter requirements must meet the following:

  • Must be from a licensed medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathy (OD), licensed clinical psychologist (Ph.D.), or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.);
  • Must be on official letterhead, dated, and signed by the doctor;
  • Specify the semester(s) you are being recommended for the leave; and
  • Include a general medical diagnosis (specifics are not required) with a clear recommendation that due to a medical condition/temporary illness the student take a reduced course load for the applicable term.
Important Notes: 
  • Maximum Duration: Reduced Course Load for a medical condition can be granted for a period of time not to exceed a total of 12 months (365 days) while you are pursuing a course of study at a particular program level.
  • Continuing Medical RCL:If your medical condition prevents you from enrolling full-time for multiple terms, you must apply for a new RCL authorization each term with updated documentation
  • Return to Study: you must intend to resume full time study in your program at CSUEB in a future semester

You qualify for this option only if the following applies to you:
  • A student may apply for Reduced Course Load in his/her final semester if fewer courses (i.e. less than full time) are needed to complete the course of study.
  • If approved, he/she must complete his/her study at the end of the particular semester.
  • Can only be approved once

Undergraduate Students

Major Advisor- contact your major advisor to request verification of your remaining requirements be emailed to cie@csueastbay.edu

GE Advisor- contact Sam Tran (sam.tran@csueastbay.edu) to request verification of your GE requirements be emailed to cie@csueastbay.edu.

Graduate Students

Major Advisor- contact your major advisor to request verification of your remaining requirements be emailed to cie@csueastbay.edu

Project/Thesis/Capstone Advisor- only required if you will have 0 units for the term you are applying. You and your capstone project or thesis advisor must complete and sign the Capstone Project/Thesis Verification Form. This form must be submitted along with verification (email or memo) from your major advisor. 

Important Note: If you are approved for a Reduced Course Load for Final Term then need additional time to complete a requirement (failing a class or extending a project), you will be required to enroll full time the following term.

How to Apply for a Reduced Course Load

  1. Reduced Course Load (RCL) form - you must complete the RCL form and submit to cie@csueastbay.edu 
  2. Documentation- see above sections regarding documentation specifications for your specific RCL reason
    • Academic Difficulties- letter or email from your academic advisor submitted directly to cie@csueastbay.edu.  
    • Medical-  letter from your medical doctor
    • Last semester of study
      • Undergraduates- you will need to request your major advisor and your GE advisor (sam.tran@csueastbay.edu) to email CIE a list of your remaining requirements and your expected term of completion. Please see above for more details
      • Graduates- you will need to request your major advisor to email CIE a list of your remaining requirements and your expected completion date
      • Graduate students with 0 units continuing Thesis or Project- You and your capstone project or thesis advisor must complete and sign the Capstone Project/Thesis Verification Form. This form must be submitted along with verification (email or memo) from your major advisor. 

 

Reasons that are NOT valid for Reduced Course Load

Some popular reasons that students request an RCL that are NOT permitted per F-1 regulations include, but are not limited to:

  1. Financial Reasons
  2. Class is full
  3. Didn't get added from the waitlist
  4. Got dropped and can't get back in
  5. Don't want to take the class with a specific professor