Reduced Course Load

Students may be eligible for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) during their first semester if they are experiencing initial academic difficulties related to:

• Improper course level placement 
• Initial difficulty with reading requirements 
• Initial difficulty with the English language 
• Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods 

This exception is limited to a student’s first semester and may only be authorized once per degree level. Students must maintain at least half-time enrollment (6 units undergraduate, 4 units graduate, 3 units doctoral), submit their request by the second week of classes and obtain OIS approval before dropping below full-time enrollment.

Students with a temporary physical or mental health condition may be eligible for a Medical Reduced Course Load (RCL) that allows them to drop below full-time enrollment or, in some cases, not enroll in any classes during the approved semester.  

Eligibility Requirements 

Students requesting a Medical RCL must: 

• Remain in the United States and receive treatment from a qualified U.S. medical provider during the requested Medical RCL period.
• Intend to resume their studies at USC following the approved Medical RCL period. 
• Not exceed three semesters of Medical RCL at the current degree level (maximum of 12 months total per degree level).
• Obtain prior approval from both their academic department and OIS. 

Students who will receive treatment outside the United States should instead request a Leave of Absence (LOA) from OIS.

Required Medical Documentation 

Students must submit a letter from a qualified U.S. medical provider that: 

• Is on official letterhead and signed by the provider (digital signature accepted). 
• Is issued by a licensed: 
• Medical Doctor (MD) 
• Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) 
• Clinical Psychologist (PsyD, PhD) 
• Specifically recommends a reduced course load for medical reasons during the requested semester.
• Confirms that the student will receive treatment in the United States during the requested Medical RCL period.

Important Notes 

• OIS must approve medical RCL authorization before a student drops below full-time enrollment. 
• Medical RCL authorization is granted one semester at a time. Students seeking an additional semester of Medical RCL must submit a new request and updated medical documentation.
• Students who remain in the United States and drop below full-time enrollment without prior Medical RCL approval may be considered out of status. 
• Students approved for a Medical RCL that authorizes 0-unit enrollment must also complete any required Leave of Absence (LOA) procedures with their academic department. 
• USC Viterbi School of Engineering graduate students must obtain Advisor Verification from the USC Viterbi VGASP office. 
• Students may remain in the United States during an approved Medical RCL period, even if their F-1 or J-1 visa has expired, provided they maintain valid F-1 or J-1 status. 

Students in their final semester are not required to be enrolled full time if they do not need a full course load to complete their degree requirements. 

Students must be enrolled in all remaining degree requirements needed to complete their program during the semester. To confirm their final semester status and the remaining courses required for degree completion, students must submit the appropriate SEVIS Final Semester Check through Trojan International by the end of the second week of classes.

If only one course is needed to complete the degree during the final semester, that course must be taken in person. This requirement applies even if summer is the final semester. 

Step 1: Submit the Appropriate RCL Request Form

Please submit either the F-1 Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request for Academic Difficulty/Medical Reasons or the J-1 Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request for Academic Difficulty/Medical Reasons in Trojan International.

The request will be routed to your academic advisor (or VGASP advisor, if applicable) for review and approval. 

Step 2: Receive Confirmation From OIS

Once your advisor approves the request, the request is automatically submitted to OIS for final review.  

You will receive a confirmation email from OIS if your request is approved. If additional information is needed or the request cannot be approved, OIS will provide further instructions. 

All RCL requests must be submitted by the end of the second week of classes. Approval from an academic advisor (or VGASP advisor) must be obtained before OIS can review the request.

• Submission of an RCL request does not constitute OIS approval. Students must continue full-time enrollment until they receive authorization from OIS. Students who drop below full-time enrollment without prior authorization may be considered out of status. 
• Departmental approval or receiving an LOA01 hold does not authorize an RCL. Separate OIS approval is still required before dropping below full-time enrollment. 
• Summer enrollment is generally optional for continuing students. However, if summer is a student’s first or final semester, enrollment is considered a required term for immigration purposes. 
• Students whose first semester is summer must maintain full-time enrollment unless approved for an RCL.  
• Students whose final semester is summer must submit the SEVIS Final Semester Check if they do not require a full course load to complete their degree. 
• Students approved for a Voluntary Health Leave (VHLA) through USC Campus Support and Intervention (CSI) must receive approval from CSI before returning to USC.  
• J-1 students sponsored by an organization other than USC (e.g., IIE, BSMP) should work directly with their program sponsor regarding authorization for a reduced course load.  
• Students who will have on-campus employment while enrolled at less than full-time should review the on-campus employment requirements.  
• Graduate students enrolled in thesis, dissertation or qualifying examination courses (e.g., 594, 794, 800) are considered full-time and do not need an RCL request.