Immigration regulations stipulate that F-1 and J-1 international students must be enrolled full-time each fall and spring semester. Summer is an optional term, and enrollment is not required unless it is your final semester. Full-time enrollment is defined as 12 credit units for undergraduates, and 9 credit units for graduates, per semester. There are limited scenarios in which an exception can be granted. 

• For the fall semester, we start accepting these requests in iSpartan on July 15th.
• For the spring semester, we start accepting these requests in iSpartan on November 15th.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allow ISSS officials (DSO) to authorize a reduced course load (RCL) exclusively for the reasons listed below. 

Please note that DHS do not consider financial difficulties or the unavailability of certain courses as valid reasons for enrolling in less than a full course of study.

RCL requests must be submitted by the ‘Last day to add classes’ deadline for the applicable term to be considered.

If you are currently enrolled full-time for the term, as ISSS Advisor must approve your Reduced Course Load Request before engaging in a reduced course load.

A student who drops below full-time enrollment without prior approval from an ISSS Advisor will be considered to be in violation of their immigration status.

You must be enrolled in the exact number of units specified on the RCL form and as confirmed by your Academic Department, or this may result in processing delays.

Reduced Course Load Options and Quicklinks:

• Academic Reasons
• To Complete Course of Study in Current Term (aka final semester)
• Medical

RCL for Academic Reasons

A student is only allowed one reduced course load for academic reason once per education level.

During your first semester studying in the U.S. and are having difficulty with:

1. The English language;
2. Reading requirements;
3. Adjusting to U.S. teaching methods.

Available during your academic program:

Improper course level placement:
You are enrolled in a course and your professor is recommending that you drop the course, since it is too difficult for you. You would be required to upload a letter from the course instructor, stating the reason they believe that the course is at an improper level (e.g. too difficult) for you and recommend that you drop the course.

1. Academic Advisor, Graduate Program Coordinator, Department Chair, or Dean must review your request for a Academic Reason li>You will be required to enter their contact information in the Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request in iSpartan.
2. You must be enrolled in at least 6 units at SJSU (both undergraduate and graduate students). Of these 6 units, only 3 units can be online. Your remaining units must be in-person or hybrid.

RCL for 'To Complete Course of Study in Current Term'

Also known as a final semester RCL

You will be completing your degree program (graduating) this semester and do not need to register full-time to complete degree requirements.

1. Academic Advisor, Graduate Program Coordinator, Department Chair, or Dean must review your request for a Final Semester RCL. You will be required to enter their contact information in the Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request in iSpartan.
2. The mode of instruction for your final course cannot be online. Therefore, this course will need to be in-person or hybrid. If your final course is online, then you will need to enroll in another course that is in-person or hybrid. Please keep this in mind when completing the RCL reqeust for a final semester RCL.

RCL for Medical Reasons

Illness or medical conditions preventing you from being enrolled full-time

1. Academic Advisor, Graduate Program Coordinator, Department Chair, or Dean must review your request for a Medical RCL. You will be required to enter their contact information in the Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request in iSpartan.
2. A recent letter from a doctor licensed in the United States in one of the specific categories noted: M.D. (Medical Doctor), D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy), or Licensed Clinical Psychologist recommending that you take a reduced course load for this semester. The letter must be on letterhead, have a handwritten signature, and include the following information:

• Recommendation that the student reduces his/her course load due to medical reasons or conditions for the specified term;
  • If this is a recommendation to not take any courses during the term, this needs to be indicated on the letter.
• State the medical reason or condition that the student is experiencing, which serves as the basis for the medical reduced course load;
• The student’s full name and date of birth;
• Date and specific term/semester the RCL or zero course load is being recommended;
• Signature from a U.S. Licensed Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Licensed Clinical Psychologist; with contact information and State License Number.

Additional Exceptions to Full-Time Enrollment:

• Concurrent Enrollment
• Culminating Experience