Student Maintains Status with Reduced Course Load
Posted Jun 01, 2001

As many readers of the MurthyBulletin are aware, F-1 students are required to carry a full-time course load to maintain valid legal status. Requirements vary from one school to another, but generally "full time" means at least 12 credits per semester at the undergraduate level and 9 credits at the graduate level. However, under the law, the Designated School Official (DSO) has always had the discretion to authorize reductions in course load for compelling reasons, such as medical needs.

As long as the DSO specifically authorizes the reduced course load, the student is considered to be maintaining legal F-1 status. The student is required to go back to full time study when there is a compelling reason no longer. In the case of a medical need, for example, the recovery of the student eliminates any compelling reason. Upon resuming full time study, the INS has now clarified that it is not necessary for a student whose reduced course load has been authorized by the DSO to obtain a reinstatement or extension from the INS.