A Medical Reduced Course Load permits F-1 and J-1 students to reduce their course load below full-time (or, if necessary, not enroll in any courses) due to a student's temporary illness or medical condition. A maximum of 12 months of Medical Reduced Course Load is possible per degree level. Medical Reduced Course Loads are issued on a semester basis. If more than one semester of a Reduced Course Load due to medical condition is needed, the student must submit a new doctor’s letter for the additional semester(s).
In order to authorize a Medical Reduced Course Load, the student must provide medical documentation from one of the following U.S. licensed medical practitioners:
Letters signed by practitioners other than one of the medical professionals noted above are not acceptable, per US immigration regulations.
Students who need a Reduced Course Load must submit a complete application to ISS before the end of the Add/Drop period.
If a student is enrolled full-time and realizes after the Add/Drop period that they need a Medical Reduced Course Load, they may also apply. However, students must maintain full-time enrollment until ISS approves the Medical Reduced Course Load.
Graduate students with Assistantships (TAs, RAs, GAs) are not eligible for a Reduced Course Load. UB policy requires 9 credits of registration or Full-time Certification to be eligible for TA, RA or GA appointments. Please consult with the Graduate School in 408 Capen if you have questions about this requirement.
Students who drop or resign below full-time without an ISS approved Reduced Course Load are considered out of status. This immigration violation could result in SEVIS termination and other serious consequences.
We recommend requesting a letter from your medical provider following the format below. The letter must be on letterhead and include the signature of the medical professional, along with their title.
Note: If you cannot take any courses due to a medical condition, your doctor’s letter must state this. See sample below.
MUST BE PRINTED ON DOCTOR’S OFFICE LETTERHEAD
[DATE]
International Student Services
University at Buffalo
210 Talbert Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
To Whom It May Concern,
This letter is to inform you of my recommendation that student [STUDENT’S NAME], [STUDENT’S DOB], be placed on a reduced course load for the [FALL or SPRING] [YEAR] semester due to medical reasons that prevent them from being a full-time student at this time [OR] that prevent them from taking any courses during this semester.
Sincerely,
[DOCTOR’S SIGNATURE]
[DOCTOR’S PRINTED NAME]
The Medical Reduced Course Load application requires a letter from a doctor in a specific format (see above). After receiving the letter from a doctor, follow the directions below to submit your application:
REMEMBER: Do not drop or resign below full-time until ISS approves the Reduced Course Load request. ISS will make a decision on the request (approve or deny), and will notify the student of our decision via email. Check our e-form processing page for current processing times.
Once approved by ISS, a Reduced Course Load cannot be canceled.
