Requirement to pursue a full course of study is one of the cornerstones of maintaining F-1 Status.  Every fall and spring semester Trinity University has an enrollment-reporting responsibility in SEVIS to the US Department of Homeland Security on all F-1 Students. 

A Trinity Designated School Official MUST authorize a “reduced course load” (RCL) and must update SEVIS prior to the student reducing his or her load.  A student who drops below a full course of study without the prior approval of the DSO will be considered out of status according to 8 C.F.R. 214.2(f)(6)(iii)(E).

There are limited exceptions to the “full course of study” requirement.  SEVIS limits the reasons for which a reduced course load (RCL) can be granted.  You must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for an RCL:
 

• Illness or Medical Condition (must be supported by a letter from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy or licensed clinical psychologist)
  • If it is a repeated request, the reduced course load must be authorized by the DSO every semester. The regulations require the student to present current medical documentation to support each RCL authorization.
  • RCLs for medical conditions can be granted for no more than 12 months in the aggregate during any one course of study.
     
• Academic difficulty exceptions (can be in advance approved only for once per program level):
  • Initial Difficulty with the English Language
  • Initial Difficulty with Reading Requirements
  • Unfamiliarity with American Teaching Methods
  • Improper Course Level Placement
     
• To Complete Course of Study in Current Term (this is done in the student’s final semester if fewer courses are needed to complete the course of study)

How do I request an RCL?

Step 1: Download the Reduced Course Load form. Carefully read the form.

Step 2: Meet with your academic advisor and/or doctor to discuss your plans for dropping below full-time.  If you want a reduced course load due to an illness or medical condition, please upload your support letter from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy or licensed clinical psychologist to your ISSS application. Select the Documents tab and the ISSS RCL Docs option under Upload New Documents.

Step 3: Meet with Financial Aid (if applicable) to discuss implications on your international student scholarship. If you receive an International Student Scholarship (institutional aid from Trinity), then you MUST speak with the Financial Aid office before dropping below full-time! Failure to consult the Trinity Financial Aid office before dropping below full-time may result in the loss of your scholarship funding. 

Step 4: Upload the completed RCL form to your ISSS application. Select the Documents tab and the ISSS RCL Docs option under Upload New Documents.

Step 5: Email ISSS (isss@trinity.edu) after finishing steps 1-4. In the email, please state your reason for requesting a RCL.

NOTE: If approved, you will be issued a new I-20 and you may, at that time, then drop below full-time with the university. Your new I-20 will be uploaded to your ISSS application. Typical processing times are 5 business days from the time of request.