Final Semester 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.

A Final Semester Reduced Course Load permits F-1 and J-1 students to reduce their course load below full-time (at least one credit, but fewer than 12 credits) if it is the final semester of their degree program and they need fewer than 12 credits to graduate. Students must enroll in at least one credit at UB during their final semester and may NOT take ONLY distance education courses during their final semester.

A Final Semester Reduced Course Load can only be used one time per degree program.

If a student will complete all degree requirements during the summer semester, and will have an August 31 degree conferral date, they must enroll for a minimum of 6 credits during the summer. If they need fewer than 6 credits to complete their degree program, then an approved Final Semester Reduced Course Load is required to maintain status. If approved for a Final Semester Reduced Course Load for the summer semester, the student must enroll for at least 1 credit.    

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, an Academic Advisor or Academic Department representative must confirm that fewer than 12 credits are needed to graduate. 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.

Students who need a Reduced Course Load must submit a complete application to ISS before the end of the Add/Drop period.

The deadline for Summer semester is the last day of add/drop for the 6 week Summer 3 session (latest standard Summer session).

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.

It is not necessary to apply for a Final Semester Reduced Course Load if already approved for Full-Time Certification with the Graduate School. For information on applying for full-time certification please contact your Academic Department representative.

Application Process

The Final Semester 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 supports 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, this Reduced Course Load cannot be canceled.