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International Student Services

Medical Reduced Course Load

You can request permission to register part-time or take the quarter off for a documented medical reason.

Overview

Your ISS adviser can authorize you to drop a course and have part-time enrollment for a documented medical reason. While you are not required to disclose the nature of your medical condition, you must provide a letter of recommendation from an accepted healthcare provider. Accepted Healthcare providers must be a licensed medical doctor, psychiatrist, doctor of osteopathy, licensed psychologist, or clinical psychologist.

Medical RCLs are approved on a quarter basis and requires updated each documentation. Additionally, students can be approved for Medical RCL authorization no more than 4 quarters total.

How to Apply

Apply for MRCL

You should meet with your healthcare provider to establish a basis for a possible recommendation to our office. They can assess whether you should take a reduced course load due to a medical reason.

Request a letter to recommend a medical reduced course load. Review the Medical RCL Letter Template, if needed.

  • Letters may be written only by a licensed medical doctor, psychiatrist, doctor of osteopathy, licensed psychologist, or clinical psychologist. If your provider is a Registered Nurse Practitioner (RNP) or another medical professional, there must be a second signature from healthcare provider with one of the above qualifications.
  • The letter must be on official letterhead and/or have an official seal to be approved by an ISS adviser.

Submit the RCL- Medical Reasons request through MyISSS. You must upload a copy of your medical RCL letter.

After you have submitted your request, allow 2-3 weeks for ISS processing. Remember:

  • You must request the RCL and receive approval from your ISS adviser by the end of the quarter in which you need the approved RCL.
  • You will receive a new I-20 if your ISS adviser approves your RCL request.
  • Once approved, you can drop your classes if needed.