Reduced Course Load for J-1 Students

Immigration regulations require that all J-1 students register for and complete a full course of study every term to maintain legal status. Students can apply for a Reduced Course Load for very specific limited reasons. In all cases, the acceptable reasons will only be approved if a student obtains PRIOR approval for completing less than a full course of study. Students who may have acceptable reasons but fail to obtain prior approval from ISSS are in violation of legal status.

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Acceptable Reasons for a Reduced Course Load

  • It is your final semester and you need less than a full course load to graduate.
  • You are participating in authorized pre-completion Academic Training.
  • You have genuine ("bona fide") academic reason, such as preparing a thesis or dissertation. Getting a low or failing grade is not an acceptable academic reason. When submitting the Reduced Course Load Form, your academic advisor will be contacted to provide more information. 
  • You have a medical reason. In addition to the Reduced Course Load form, a letter from your physician is required which states that you are not able to maintain full-time study.

Unacceptable Reasons for Reduced Course Load

  • Financial difficulties
  • Medical illness of family member or friend
  • Study for the GMAT, GRE, CPA, or other similar exam(s)
  • Suspension from academic program
  • Working on incompletes from a previous quarter/semester
  • Low or failing grades

Reduced Course Load Form

The Reduced Course Load for J-1 Students Form must be completed for each semester that a student fails to enroll full time. It is imperative that the Reduced Course Load form be submitted to ISSS and approved prior to enrollment for less than a full course of study or prior to a cancel/withdrawal that results in less than a full course of study. Failure to obtain prior approval for a reduced course load will result in the loss of legal status.

  • All students must submit a Reduced Course Load form through MyISSS before Fall or Spring Semesters if they will take less than a full course of study.
  • Students enrolled in Full Time Equivalent (FTE) courses (8444 for PhD, 8333 for Master’s students, and select Co-op courses) do NOT need to complete a Reduce Course Load form.  If you are not sure if the course is a FTE, check with your department or ISSS.
  • Graduate students taking zero credits must register for Grad 0999 BEFORE submitting the Reduced Course Load Form in MyISSS.
  • ISSS advisors will make the final decision on the acceptability of the Reduced Course Load form.
  • A Reduced Course Load form approved by ISSS allows a student to maintain legal J-1 status.

Medical Reasons

  • ISSS advises that students who are ill and unable to attend classes see a doctor regarding their illness. If the illness is such that the doctor recommends that the student withdraw from classes or not enroll, the student may file a Reduced Course Load form with a supporting letter from the physician. The supporting documentation must clearly state that request for a reduction in the student's course load is based on medical considerations.
  • The supporting letter which accompanies your Reduced Course Load Form for a medical reason must be written by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist. The letter must clearly state that the student is unable to maintain full-time enrollment or is unable to enroll in any classes, whichever is the case.
  • Illness of family members is not a reason recognized by the immigration service for failure to enroll for a full course of study.

Consequences of Failure to Enroll Full Time Without an Acceptable Reason

Failing to enroll full time without an acceptable reason results in:

Last updated: January 30, 2026