International students

Requesting a Reduced Course Load

Reduced Course Load for F-1/J-1 Students

To maintain F-1/J-1 status, international students must be enrolled in a full course of study at the start of the fall and spring semesters.

F-1/J-1 students may request a Reduced Course Load (RCL) through the RCL eForm in the following circumstances:

Students in their final semester of study.

Graduate students whose final academic requirement is a thesis or dissertation and who are required to take one continuing registration credit.

  • Thesis/dissertation graduate students who have completed all coursework credits, including all research, dissertation, and thesis credit hours may request a reduced course load. Speak with your academic advisor if you are unsure what your final academic requirement is.
    • **Thesis/dissertation F-1 students who are approved for a reduced course load and then change their final academic requirement may be violating their immigration status and not be eligible for post-OPT.

To be eligible for a reduced course load all F-1/J-1 students must:

  • Meet one of the above circumstances.
  • Maintain in-person presence throughout the entire semester.
    • If you only have 1 class left to complete, it must be hybrid or fully in-person.
    • You may only enroll in either 1 class or 3 credits that are virtual.
  • Have a valid I-20/DS-2019 for the entire semester (see information on extending your I-20 or extending your DS-2019);
  • Be inside the United States. Please inform the ISSC if you are planning to enroll in classes while outside of the United States.

Please keep in mind that: 

  • You need authorization to take courses outside of ASU. See our Additional coursework outside of ASU webpage for more information.
  • An RCL is not required if your remaining credits are online as these will need to be completed outside of the U.S.
  • An RCL is not required during the summer semester for continuing students.
  • Please make sure to apply for the reduced course load before the start of your final semester.

Students with a medical issue in the current semester. 
If you would like to request a reduced course load based on medical reasons, please consult with an advisor as soon as possible. Medical documentation is required to apply and must be signed by a medical doctor, psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, doctor of osteopathy, or a clinical psychologist.