Academic Reduced Course Load

Overview

If a student cannot enroll full-time, they must be approved by International Student Services for a Reduced Course Load before dropping below full-time.

An Academic Reduced Course Load permits F-1 and J-1 students to reduce their course load below full-time (to a minimum of 6 credits) if they are experiencing academic difficulty.  An Academic Reduced Course Load can be used only one time per degree level.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for an Academic Reduced Course Load, a student must be experiencing academic difficult in one of the following areas:

Possible Only During the First Year of Study at UB*

  • Initial difficulties with the English language 
  • Initial difficulties with reading requirements 
  • Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods

*Not applicable for students who are continuing their studies at UB at a new degree level or program.

Possible throughout the Program of Study

  • Improper course level placement (for example: there was a miscommunication regarding course level selection)

Eligible students must also:

  • Enroll full-time until the Reduced Course Load is approved by ISS.
  • Not have used an Academic Reduced Course Load in the past. Only one Academic Reduced Course Load per degree level is permitted.
  • Maintain enrollment in at least 6 credits after the Reduced Course Load is approved by ISS.

Application Deadlines

Both the student and the Academic Advisor’s sections of the RCL e-form must be submitted for ISS review by the add/drop deadline.

The completed Reduced Course Load form must be submitted to ISS before the end of the Add/Drop period.

If you are submitting this e-form after the add/drop deadline of the requested semester, you must remain enrolled full-time until your application for a Reduced Course Load has been approved.

Students who drop or resign below full-time without prior authorization are considered out of status. This immigration violation could result in SEVIS termination and other serious consequences.

If the Reduced Course Load is approved by ISS, it is the student's responsibility to drop or resign the appropriate courses by the university deadlines to drop or resign courses.  Specific drop/resign dates can be found on the Office of the Registrar's website.  It is also important to consider financial liability deadlines (i.e. fees charged when a course is resigned) when deciding if resigning a course is appropriate.

Application Process

The Academic Reduced Course Load e-forms require an Academic Advisor's input  Therefore, students should plan to discuss their situation with an Advisor. If an Academic Advisor is supportive of the application, please follow the directions below.

STEP 1 (The Student):

  1. Log in to UB Global.  Click on the “LOGIN” button, and enter your UBIT Name and Password.  
  2. Click on “F-1 Student Services” and then “Reduced Course Load Request”. 
    • Complete the entire e-form and carefully write the advisor/department email address.
    • Both the student and the academic advisor e-forms must be complete before ISS can process the request.

STEP 2 (The Academic Advisor/Faculty, AKA Second Approver):

UB Global will send an email to the advisor/faculty email address provided by the student in Step 1 after the student submits their e-form. The department will:

  • Review Step 1 details and confirm that the information is accurate.
  • Submit their Step 2 e-form if they support the request
    • The student will receive an email notifying them that their request was approved by the academic department and has been routed to ISS for final approval.

Both e-forms will then be sent to ISS for final review.

STEP 3 (International Student Services):

ISS will review both the student and advisor e-forms. If the request meets all eligibility requirements, ISS will approve the RCL and email the student their new RCL I-20. The second approver/department advisor will also receive an email when ISS approves the request.

If denied, the student and department advisor will be notified by email.

REMEMBER: Do not drop or resign below full-time until ISS approves the Reduced Course Load request. ISS will make a decision on the request (approve or deny), and will notify the student of our decision via email. Check our e-form processing page for current processing times.

Once approved by ISS, a Reduced Course Load cannot be canceled.