Reduced Course Load (RCL) Information

F-1 students are expected to maintain full-time status each semester throughout their studies at Trine University.

  • Fall and Spring semester enrollment requirements: F-1 students are required to enroll full-time each semester. Full-time is identified as 6 credits for graduate and doctoral programs and 12 credits for undergraduate.
  • Summer term enrollment requirements: Full-time enrollment is not required for continuing students with an active SEVIS record in the summer term. However, F-1 students must enroll full-time in the summer if it is their first term at Trine University. 

F-1 students must enroll in a full-time course load each term to maintain their F-1 status. Sometimes a DSO may excuse a student from this rule. When applicable, a DSO may recommend a reduced course load for students. All F-1 students that have an active record are required to submit the Reduced Course Load request prior to dropping below full time. Students may enroll below full time due to academic, medical, or final term reasons, up to 2 weeks before the end of the term in which they are requesting the reduced course load (RCL).

If your RCL is approved, an updated I-20 reflecting your RCL authorization will be issued within 14 business days. A notification email will be sent to you when your updated I-20 is ready. Please sign your updated I-20 when you receive it and keep your previous I-20 for your records, do not throw it away.

Please complete the Reduced Course Load (RCL) request for review and processing if any of these situations are applicable.

Drop down options available to students to learn more about Reduced Course Load types.

Students are not eligible for CPT authorization during the Reduced Course Load (RCL) period if their RCL reason is related to medical or academic difficulty. If a student is on RCL due to being in their final semester and not being enrolled full time, they still qualify for CPT authorization pending they meet all other CPT requirements. 
  • An academic RCL is authorization for F-1 students who are eligible to enroll in less than full time during their first academic semester in the United States. Reasons for academic RCL would be initial difficulty with the English language or general unfamiliarity with American teaching methods during the student’s first semester in the United States. Under the academic RCL, students must maintain part-time status. These can only be approved one time while pursuing a course of study, during their initial semester in the United States. To request an academic RCL, please consult with your academic advisor and DSO.
  • A medical reduced course load is authorization for F-1 students who are eligible to enroll in less than full time, or, if necessary, no credits at all during a semester for up to 12 months due to illness or medical condition at a particular program level. Students must apply and receive RCL authorization from Trine University Office of International Services before dropping to less than 6 credit hours. Medical RCLs must be submitted and approved on a semester-by-semester basis. Students must provide current (no older than 3 months) medical documentation from a U.S medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathy (DO), or licensed clinical psychologist (CP). To substantiate the illness or medical condition, the regulations require students requesting a medical RCL to submit medical documentation with a recommendation for reduced course load. A letter from a practitioner other than one of the medical professionals listed above such as a nurse practitioner, an acupuncturist, or a doctor of oriental medicine is not sufficient for the purposed of complying with the federal regulations.
  • Pregnancy: A normal pregnancy or delivery is not considered a medical condition warranting a medical RCL is not considered a medical condition warranting a medical RCL, Trine University Office of International Services will review medical RCL requests for pregnant students after receiving a letter from a licensed medical doctor recommending the reduced course load and substantiating the illness or medical condition.
  • Medical documentation requirements: A letter from a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist that includes the following:
    • Issued on office letterhead
    • The date the letter was issued
    • A general medical diagnosis
    • The dates the student will need to be dropped from all courses (with a start date and end date)
    • A signature of the doctor
    • Doctor’s office phone number

To request a medical RCL, please consult with your academic advisor and DSO.

  • A final term RCL is authorization for F-1 students who are eligible to enroll in less than full time during their final, graduating term. This would be applicable for student who do not need to be enrolled full time in their final semester to complete their degree requirements. Students must apply and receive RCL authorization from the Trine University Office of International Services no later than 2 weeks before the end of their final term.