Reduced Course Load (RCL)

There are very few exceptions to the full-time course load rule. Students must request approval from an F-1 international student advisor before dropping below full-time during the Fall and Spring semesters. There are no minimum enrollment requirements during the summer and winter sessions.

Types of Reduced Course Load

Who is Eligible

  • Undergraduate students in their last semester to complete the remaining required courses for their program of study at SF State.
  • Graduate students will apply for this RCL only after they have used all their Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) exceptions and if they need more time to complete their culminating experience course after their grace semester.

What Students Need to Know

  • One-time exception: RCL due to completion of study is a one-time exception. The program end date of the I-20 will be shortened.
  • Courses must be graduation requirements: At least one remaining course must be SF State graduation requirements. This RCL will not be approved for students who wish to take an additional semester for non-required courses for other purposes (For example, to raise GPA, to pursue CPT, or just for personal enrichment).
  • Graduating in the Summer session: RCL can only be approved for the Spring or Fall semester. If students are graduating in Summer, they must maintain full-time status in Spring. Also, if they have an approved RCL due to completion of study in Spring, they must graduate in Spring, not Summer.   
  • Concurrent enrollment is not allowed: All their remaining courses must be taken at SF State. No concurrent enrollment at another institution is allowed.
  • Limitation of fully online classes: If students only have one course to complete the program in the Spring or Fall semester, it cannot be an online course. A hybrid course is acceptable.

When to Submit the RCL Request

  • RCL is due before each semester's add/drop deadline, as posted on the SF State Registrar's website.
  • The earliest the request may be submitted is after the prior semester's grade posting date unless paired with other requests, such as I-20 extension or CPT requests. For example, if a student is submitting an RCL for Spring 2024:
    • The earliest date to submit the request will be after the Fall 2023 grade posting date.
    • The deadline to submit is the Spring 2024 add/drop deadline.

How to Make a Request

Undergraduate Students

  • Review the information above. Download the RCL Completion of Study form (PDF, 142KB).
  • Obtain signature:  Contact the Undergraduate Advising Center for signature. 
  • Submit RCL: Email signed RCL to f1@sfsu.edu from the students' SF State email address. We accept digital signatures, scanned copies, and high-resolution/clear pictures of the completed form. 
  • Wait for approval: Students will receive a confirmation email within 5 business days. 

Graduate Students

Graduate students will apply for this RCL only after they have used all their Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) exceptions and if they need more time to complete their culminating experience course after their grace semester.

  • Review the information above. Download the RCL Completion of Study form (PDF, 142KB).
  • Clear the Health Insurance Hold: Purchase SF State-sponsored health insurance for the entire semester before submitting the RCL request.
  • Register for a 499 course: Register for one of CPaGE 499 courses under the student's college name.
  • Obtain signature: Reach out to their committee member to obtain a signature on the RCL form, confirming progress for graduation
  • Apply for graduation: Apply for graduation at their Student Center. Graduate students can apply for graduation after the semester starts).
  • Submit RCL: Email signed RCL to f1@sfsu.edu from the students' SF State email address. We accept digital signatures, scanned copies, and high-resolution/clear pictures of the completed form. 
  • Wait for approval: Students will receive a confirmation email within 5 business days. 
It is extremely important for graduate students to speak to an F-1 international student advisor AS SOON AS THEY CAN if they found out that they can't complete their project in their final semester at SF State.  Students should do so AT LEAST SIX (6) WEEKS BEFORE the end date of the current semester or program end date on their I-20, whichever is earlier.

Who is Eligible

Students who have a temporary medical condition that prevents them from maintaining full-time study during the Spring and Fall semesters.

What Students Need to Know

  • Authorized Medical Providers: F-1 regulations permit recommendations for a reduced course load only from licensed medical doctors (MD), doctors of osteopathy (DO), licensed psychologists (LP), clinical psychologists (PsyD), or psychiatrists (MD or DO).
  • Documentation Requirements: Medical providers must specify the student’s medical condition (with a brief but detailed description) on the RCL form or in a letter of explanation. The letter should be on the hospital or clinic’s letterhead, and it must include the recommended number of units for the semester.
  • Duration Limits: This type of RCL cannot exceed a total of 12 months (3 academic semesters) at each degree level. Students with a previous RCL should consult with an F-1 advisor to determine eligibility.
  • Semester-specific Approval: A separate RCL must be completed and approved each semester.
  • No Retroactive Approvals: RCL will only be considered if the request is submitted BEFORE the deadline in the semester the student wishes to enroll part-time. Retroactive approval is not allowed.
  • Employment Restrictions: Students with approved RCL due to a medical condition are not eligible for on-campus or off-campus employment benefits.
  • Clear the Health Insurance Hold: Purchase and maintain SF State-sponsored health insurance for the entire semester before submitting the RCL request.

Deadline

STATUS ACTION DEADLINE
If students are not able to pursue full-time study due to medical conditions before the semester starts Submit the request and receive approval by the deadline. Semester add drop deadline
If students need to withdraw from courses during the semester due to medical conditions Submit the request and receive approval before withdrawing from courses.  A day before the last day of Instruction

How to Make a Request

  • Review the information above. Download the RCL due to medical condition (PDF, 148 KB).
  • Clear the Health Insurance Hold: Purchase SF State-sponsored health insurance for the entire semester before submitting the RCL request.
  • Email f1@sfsu.edu to schedule a virtual appointment with an F-1 international student advisor.

After Approval

  • Resumption of Full Course of Study: Students must resume a full course of study in the next available Fall/Spring semester unless another RCL is approved.

Who is Eligible

Students who are attending school in the U.S. for the first time and facing academic difficulties. This is a one-time exception.

Students who have been attending SF State and new students who transferred from another 4-year or 2-year institution in the U.S. are not eligible for this exception.

 

    What Students Need to Know

    • Federal Immigration regulations define academic difficulty as:

      • Initial difficulty with English Language or reading requirements (First semester in the U.S. only); or Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods (First semester in the U.S. only); or improper course placement.  In some cases, students may be required to provide international student advisors with written proof from academic advisors explaining how they were misadvised.  Written proof must be printed on the department letterhead and sign by the academic advisor.

    • Minimum required units: Students must remain enrolled in at least 6 units (for Undergraduates) or 4 units (for Graduates).

    • Determining eligibility first: Students who wish to request RCL must speak with an F-1 international student advisor to verify eligibility.

    • The RCL form must be signed by both the student and the student's academic advisor.

    When to Submit the RCL Request

    • Students MUST obtain approval from an F-1 international student advisor by the semester's withdrawal deadline posted on the SF State Registrar’s website.

    How to Make a Request

    Undergraduate Students

    • Review the information above. Download the RCL due to academic difficulty form (PDF, 149KB).
    • Obtain signature: Contact the Undergraduate Advising Center
    • Submit RCL: Email signed RCL to f1@sfsu.edu from the students' SF State email address. We accept digital signatures, scanned copies, and high-resolution/clear pictures of the completed form. 
    • Wait for approval: Students will receive a confirmation email within 5 business days. 

    Graduate Students

    • Review the information above. Download the RCL due to academic difficulty form (PDF, 149KB).
    • Obtain signature: Contact the Graduate Coordinators
    • Submit RCL: Email signed RCL to f1@sfsu.edu from the students' SF State email address. We accept digital signatures, scanned copies, and high-resolution/clear pictures of the completed form. 
    • Wait for approval: Students will receive a confirmation email within 5 business days. 

    Deadlines

    After Approval

    • Resumption of Full Course of Study: Students must resume a full course of study in the next available Fall/Spring semester unless a different type of RCL is approved.
    • Minimum required units: Students must remain enrolled in at least 6 units (for Undergraduates) or 4 units (for Graduates).
    • One-time exception: This type of RCL will not be eligible for a second exception due to academic difficulties.
    • May be eligible for other types of RCLs in the future.

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    Last updated: January 2024

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