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Under very limited circumstances dropping below full-time status is allowed with approval from OIS. Students must submit the Reduced Course Load Request eForm through iHopkins and receive approval from OIS in the semester/term they wish to enroll less than full-time. Dropping below full-time enrollment without approval from OIS is a violation of your F-1 status. 

Reduced Course Load (RCL) Reasons

If you are experiencing academic difficulties in your first term

You may request a RCL authorization due to: 

  • difficulty with the English language 
  • improper course level placement  
  • unfamiliarity with American teaching methods 

This authorization is only possible during the first semester/term of your program and only one time per degree level. You must be approved for a Reduced Course Load by OIS before dropping below full-time.   

Students approved for an RCL for an academic reason must enroll for at least a half-time course load. You may count one online course or three credits of online courses towards your half-time enrollment each semester/term.

RCL requests must be submitted by the student and will then be routed to a designated approver in your department or school such as your academic advisor, before OIS can authorize it. 

If you are in your final term and require less than full-time credits to complete your academic program

You must submit an RCL authorization request if you are in the final term of your academic program and need less than a full-time course load to complete degree requirements.   
 
Students authorized for RCL for their final term must take at least one in-person course. If only one course is needed to complete your program, that course must be in-person. 
 
RCL requests must be submitted by the student and will then be routed to a designated approver in your department or school such as your academic advisor, before OIS can authorize it. You must submit the request to OIS no more than 30 days after the start date of your final semester/term. Requests submitted before the start of your final semester/term are welcome but can only be processed by OIS after the term begins.  You may enroll for only the courses you need in your final semester/term while your RCL request is pending with OIS.

If you are experiencing a temporary illness or medical condition

You may request an RCL authorization for medical reasons, for either no course load (0 credits) or a reduced course load. You must upload a medical letter to the RCL request in iHopkins (see below for letter requirements and a template).  

Medical Reduced Course Load (MRCL) is authorized on a semester/term basis. There is a maximum allowance of 12 months of Medical RCL per degree level. You must be approved for a Reduced Course Load by OIS before dropping below full-time. 

Students approved to enroll less than full-time with a medical RCL authorization are still required to enroll in at least one in-person course. Beyond that requirement, online enrollment is permitted.

Students approved for no course load (0 credits) with a medical RCL typically take a Medical LOA and are required to retain JHU health insurance if remaining in the U.S. 

RCL requests must be submitted by the student and will then be routed to a designated approver in your department or school such as your academic advisor, before OIS can authorize it.  

On the RCL request, you must upload medical documentation from one of the following U.S. licensed medical practitioners: 

  • Medical Doctor (MD)  
  • Psychiatrist 
  • Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) 
  • Licensed Psychologist 
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist 

The medical letter must include all of the following (you may use this letter template): 

  • A recommendation for part-time or no enrollment in the specific term for which you are requesting the RCL    
  • Issued on the practitioner’s letterhead   
  • Written in English   
  • Signed by the medical practitioner  
  • Practitioner’s credentials, specifically indicating which of the above listed credentials they hold   
  • Practitioner’s contact information   
  • Date the letter was issued.  (Letters must be dated within 30 days of the date you submit the RCL eForm request in iHopkins.) 

*Students who will be outside the U.S. while on a medical leave of absence are not required to request an RCL. Instead, OIS can end your F-1 record and then you can contact us prior to your return to the U.S. to discuss your F-1 options. If you are taking a medical LOA and will not request an RCL, you must notify OIS of your plans so we can update your F-1 record accordingly. 

 

To Request a Reduced Course Load Authorization

Upon submitting your part of the RCL request, it will be routed to your academic advisor for their review. Once your advisor reviews their portion of the request and approves, it will be routed to OIS for final review and approval. Your request is not considered approved until you receive an email from OIS stating that the RCL authorization has been completed in your SEVIS record. Requests submitted to OIS before the semester/term start will be processed once the semester/term begins.

Submit the “F-1 Reduced Course Load” eFrom in iHopkins. To submit your request:

  • Go to http://ihopkins.jhu.edu 
  • Click “Login” under “Active JHED Login
  • Login with your JHED ID and password
  • Once logged in, click on “F-1 Student Services” in the menu on the left, then click on “F-1 Reduced Course Load” eForm
  • Enter all required information and upload all required documentation, if applicable. This eForm will then be routed to your Academic Advisor for approval
  • Once OIS approves your eForm request, you will receive an email notification along with an updated I-20, if requested

Failure to Maintain Full-Time Status

Dropping below full-time status without approval for a Reduced Course Load from OIS is considered a violation of your F-1 status and will result in the termination of your F-1 SEVIS record. Once your F-1 SEVIS record is terminated, you will no longer have a valid visa status in the U.S.