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reduced course load (rcl)

In limited circumstances, DHS allows OIP to authorize students to enroll less than full time. This is known as a Reduced Course Load (RCL). 

Students MUST apply for an RCL before enrolling less than full time. RCLs are authorized one semester at a time. While you should submit your Reduced Course Load request early, keep in mind we can only begin processing your request at the start of the semester you are applying for. Students who need an RCL for additional semesters must re-apply, if eligible.  RCL approval is NOT guaranteed.  It is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

  • Apply for an RCL through  in the "F-1 Student Services" tab.
  • Upon submission, the student's academic advisor (and the Graduate School, for graduate students) will receive an email to approve the student's request before OIP can begin reviewing.

Please note that RCL approval is only relevant to your immigration record. We recommend that all students consult with their academic advisor before making any changes to their course schedule, to ensure they can continue to make normal academic progress in their program.

  • Students with scholarships should contact their scholarship administrator to ensure that the scholarship is not impacted if they are not enrolled full time
    • PASE is not a scholarship and it is not impacted by RCL approval
    • Competitive scholarships may require full-time enrollment except in the last term 
  • Students working on campus, including TA/RA positions, should contact their supervisor to verify they are eligible for TA/RA benefits if/when they not enrolled full time
  • Students who receive other benefits (out-of-state tuition waiver, health insurance, etc.) should contact the benefit administrator to ensure that the benefit is not impacted if/when they are not enrolled full time

eligible reasons for rcl

Medical Condition / Illness

  • Situation: The student has a documented medical condition or illness that requires them to enroll less than full time. 
  • Evidence Needed: The student must submit a recent letter  from a U.S. or Mexico licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist with the following information:
    • Full Name
    • Email
    • Phone Number
    • License Number & Expiration Date
    • Clinic/Medical Practice Location (full address)
    • Explanation of why it is recommended the student be approved to enroll less than full-time given their medical condition 
    • Length of time the licensed clinician is recommending the student to be under-enrolled
      • NOTE: An RCL can only be approved on a semester basis. Your letter would need to indicate the duration of time. For example, if you are requesting a Medical RCL for the Spring term, your letter would need to specify the year and term (e.g. Spring 2025). 
  • Limits: DHS limits a medical RCL to 12 months per degree level. This typically means a maximum of 3 semesters throughout the academic program. 
  • Minimum Enrollment: Upon approval, the student may enroll part time, or may not be enrolled at all. 
    • IMPORTANT:  Students who will not enroll at all will remain in active F-1 status, but may lose UTEP student benefits. We recommend contacting your academic advisor if you have questions about your UTEP status if you will not enroll for one or more semesters.
    • Keep in mind RCL approval only impacts immigration status. To withdrawal or drop courses, you must consult   The Office of Registration & Records   for further guidance.

Academic Difficulties

  • Situations:
    • The student is experiencing initial difficulties with the English language;
    • The student is experiencing initial difficulties with the reading requirements;
    • The student is unfamiliar with American teaching methods; and/or
    • The student was improperly placed in a course or improperly advised to take a course that he/she was not prepared for.
  • Evidence Needed: The student MUST speak with his/her academic advisor prior to applying for the RCL to discuss the situation. The academic advisor will provide reasoning for the RCL upon approving the Sunapsis request. 
  • Limits: A student may only be authorized for an RCL based on Academic Difficulties once during their degree program. 
  • Minimum Enrollment: Undergraduate students must continue to enroll in at least 6 credits ( cannot be all online ). Graduate students must continue to enroll in at least 3 credits ( cannot be all online ). 

Completition of Course of Study


  • Situation: The student is in his/her last semester of an academic program and needs fewer than 12/9 credits to graduate.
  • Evidence Needed: The academic advisor will confirm that the student is in his/her last semester when approving the Sunapsis request. 
  • Limits: DHS allows OIP to authorize this RCL up to two times during a student's academic program, in the event that the student does not complete the program as planned. 
  • Minimum Enrollment: The student must be enrolled in at least 3 in-person credits during his/her last semester. Even if the only course(s) needed is/are online, the student cannot be enrolled only in online classes, even with an approved RCL for this reason. 

Thesis / Dissertation Enrollment

  • Situation: A graduate student is enrolled in a 3-credit thesis/dissertation course.
  • Evidence Needed: Enrollment in a thesis/dissertation course. 
  • Limits: While there is not a designated maximum number of terms, the student MUST be making normal academic progress toward the degree. 
  • Minimum Enrollment: The student must be enrolled in the thesis/dissertation course. 

ineligible reasons for rcl

  • Inability to pay tuition

  • Required courses not offered in a given semester

  • Completion of all courses in a sequence, with the next course not available until the following term

  • Removal from a course by a professor due to absences or lack of effort

  • Dropping a course because of failing grades or to protect GPA

additional options for border commuters

Full-Time Border Commuters may request to change to Part-Time Border Commuter status in the event that they wish to enroll less than full time, but do not qualify for an RCL. Students must submit the "Part-Time Border Commuter Request" through  before dropping below full time. 

Important Notes:

  • Part-Time Border Commuters are not permitted to work on campus, unless authorized for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). A Full-Time Border Commuter who is working on campus should consult with OIP before pursuing this option.

  • Part-Time Border Commuters are required to renew their I-20 before the end of each semester and must pay close attention to their I-20 program end date. 

  • Students who change to Part-Time Border Commuter status must apply to change back to Full-Time Border Commuter status if desired. Students must submit the "Updated Confirmation of Financial Resources" e-form through , and provide evidence of financial ability to pay for full time enrollment.  
  • Part-time Border Commuters may not reside in the United States.