As an international student holding an F-1 or M-1 visa in the United States, it is crucial to adhere to visa requirements. Typically, this means maintaining full-time enrollment. However, in some cases, students may apply to temporarily reduce the number of registered courses – this is where Reduced Course Load (RCL) comes into play.
RCL allows F-1 and M-1 students to register for fewer courses than required for full-time status without losing their student status. This arrangement is suitable for specific situations, such as academic difficulties, health issues, or when a student is in their final semester.
So, how does one get approval for RCL? According to information provided on the Department of Homeland Security website, here is a summary:
To obtain approval for RCL, students need to provide relevant supporting documents. The Designated School Official (DSO) must input the reason and date of course reduction into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to authorize the RCL. During this period, students maintain their valid status and are required to return to full-time study once the RCL period ends.
RCL provides necessary flexibility for students facing difficulties while allowing them to preserve their legal status.