Required Actions to Maintain your Legal Status
To maintain legal status in the U.S., F-1 students are required to notify the ISSS International Advisor of certain personal and academic changes.
Requesting a Reduced Course Load
Students who are not authorized to drop below a full course load risk losing F-1 status.
F-1 students must maintain legal status by enrolling in a full course load every quarter.
- Undergraduate students must have a minimum of 12 units every quarter.
- Graduate students must have a minimum of 8 units every quarter.
- Doctorate students who have advanced to candidacy only need 5 units to maintain full time status.
There are only a few exceptions to the full course load requirement. Consult with the International Advisor before dropping or withdrawing from a class. More detailed information is available on the Reduced Course Load form (found in the Student Forms and Documents Library). Please complete this form and obtain authorization from the International Advisor and Academic Advisor before dropping below a full course load.
Reduced Course Load, RCL may be approved if:
- Academic Difficulties - Initial difficulties with the English language; Initial difficulties with reading requirements; Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods; Improper course level placement. IMPORTANT NOTE: this option can only be exercised once during the entire duration of study for your degree.
- Filing Fee Term – PhD Graduate students may use a filing fee term for the final quarter. Filing Fee term can be used only once. You must obtain approval from the Graduate Division and International Scholar and Student Services.
- Final Term - Students who need less than a full course load to complete the degree may use Reduced Course Load for final term in their final quarter. It can only be used once. EAP students are not eligible.
- Medical Condition – Documentation is required from the Medical Doctor or Health Center.