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Reduced Course Load

With very few exceptions, F-1 and J-1 students are required to be enrolled full-time each spring and fall semester in order to maintain their status. A student who drops below full-time enrollment without ISSA’s prior approval is failing to maintain status, which may impact their ability to continue to study at Notre Dame.

Exceptions to this full course of study requirement include:

Reason
Description
Restrictions
Documented Academic Difficulties
  • initial difficulty with the English language
  • unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods
  • improper course placement
  • only eligible one time at beginning of program
  • authorized for only one semester
Documented Medical Condition
  • student has documented illness or medical condition that prevents them taking a full course load
  • Only eligible for up to 12 months per degree level
  • Authorized for one semester at a time
  • Must have letter confirming impact of medical condition on ability to be full-time enrolled signed by MD, DO, or Psychologist
  • Can be authorized for reduced or 0 credit course load
  • ISSA will only authorize this for students seeking treatment within the United States
Completion of Program (Final Semester)
  • student does not require a full-time course load to complete degree requirements in final semester
  • typically needs formal academic approval
  • impacts eligibliity for a program extension

Request Process

Undergraduate Students
Students should talk to their academic advisor/advising dean/Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Care and Support team about the process of being enrolled less than full-time; the Care & Support team will initiate the Registrar’s eform for a reduced course load. There is no ISSAlink form that needs to be completed. If the reduced course load is related to time away from the University, contact the Time Away Support team.

Graduate Students
Students should first speak with their graduate coordinator and/or faculty advisor about their eligibility for enrolling less than full-time and any impacts to their ability to continue in the program.

After confirming your plans with your academic department, please complete ISSA’s F-1/J-1 Reduced Course Load Request e-form in ISSALink so we can update your record and advise you accordingly.

Additional Notes

Summer Term

The summer term is not a “required” term for immigration purposes, so ISSA does not monitor enrollment during this time. However, if a student’s program requires summer enrollment in order to make normal degree progress, they will need to enroll as appropriate (see academic advisor for details). A student’s eligibility for a program extension may be impacted if they willfully do not make normal degree progress.

Special Student Relief (SSR)

Certain eligible students may be authorized for SSR as a response to an ongoing crisis (as determined by the US Department of State) in their home country.

A student who has been granted employment authorization pursuant to the terms of an SSR notice, is also eligible for RCL authorization. The basis for reducing course load is the need to work, so a student cannot receive RCL without getting the employment authorization.

  • Undergraduate students required to enroll in at least 6 credit hours
  • Graduate students required to enroll in at least 3 credit hours

See more information about this on our web page here.

Other Impacts

An LOA or reduced course load may impact access to university resources (ex. UHS, UCC)