International Students

Reduced Course Load

F-1 international students are required by U.S. government regulations to be registered for at least 12 credits every term, unless the F-1 student has been approved for a vacation term or for a Reduced Course Load. Reduced Course Load (RCL) authorization has three main categories:

  1. Academic RCL
  2. Medical RCL
  3. Graduation RCL

Eligibility

Academic RCL: During the first term of a program level (Language Training or Associate at PCC), you can request an RCL to withdraw from one class for one of the following reasons:

  • Initial difficulties with the English language
  • Initial difficulties with reading requirements
  • Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
  • Improper course level placement

You must work with the instructor of the course from which you hope to withdraw. We recommend that you discuss your struggles with your instructor before you request an RCL. This is allowed only once per academic level, regardless if you transfer to another school.

Medical RCL: If you are actively seeking treatment for a temporary medical condition and your doctor recommends that you take less than 12 credits, you could be eligible for an RCL. The doctor who makes the recommendation must be a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, psychologist, or clinical psychologist in the U.S. You can only be approved for four terms of Medical RCLs.

Graduation RCL: In the final term when you will graduate from a program, ESOL or with an Associate degree, you can request an RCL to register for only the classes you need to complete the program. One class must be in-person. This is allowed only once per academic level, unless you fail one of the classes required for graduation, preventing you from graduating. In this situation, you can request an I-20 Extension before the Program End Date on your most recent I-20 and a second Graduation RCL. This is the final graduation RCL at this program level.

Procedure

To apply for a Reduced Course Load, you must:

  1. Submit the SEVIS Request Form for “Reduced Course Load (RCL)” with the reason that you are requesting the RCL.
  2. The SEVIS Coordinator will review your request, determine if you are eligible, and request additional documentation, if needed.
  3. If your request is approved, the SEVIS Coordinator will issue a new I-20 to you with an RCL authorization. Do not drop or withdraw from any class during the academic term until you receive the I-20 with the Reduced Course Load authorization.

Deadline

Academic RCL: Cannot be requested before week 5 of the term, but must be requested before the Monday before the “Last day to withdraw from 11-12 week classes” as listed on the Academic Calendar

Medical RCL: Cannot be requested more than 30 days before the “Beginning of term,” but must be requested before the Monday before the “Last day to withdraw from 11-12 week classes” as listed on the Academic Calendar

Graduation RCL: Must be requested before the “Beginning of term,” as listed on the Academic Calendar

Additional Information

  • If the RCL is not approved, the student must remain in all classes and accept the grade (letter grade or Pass/No Pass).
  • An RCL must be approved by the SEVIS Coordinator before a student may drop any courses. A student who drops below full-time without approval will be considered out of status with the immigration requirements for their F-1 visa, and the Office of International Student Services (OISS) is required to report this to SEVIS, resulting in the termination of the student’s F-1 status.
    • Classes that students withdraw from do not count towards the required 12 credits.
    • Classes with the grade option of Pass/No Pass do count towards the required 12 credits.
    • Classes taken for “audit” do not count toward the required 12 credits.
  • Approval of an RCL is valid for one term and credit course load is dependent upon RCL reason.
  • An RCL authorization is only valid for one term. If you need an RCL for another term, you must complete the process for each term.
  • Lack of financial support does not constitute a valid reason to reduce course load according to U.S. government regulations.
  • If you are approved for an RCL after the late-add/drop deadline, you might be eligible to submit an Academic Records Appeal (to request that the class be removed from your transcript) and/or a Tuition Appeal (to request that the tuition for this class be applied to a tuition credit for future use at PCC). The OISS does not process these requests, and we are unable to assist with this process.