Dear students,

November 2 is the University’s deadline to withdraw from a course. We want to remind you that if you are considering dropping a course that would leave you with only part-time enrollment, you must get permission from ISSS before you drop your course. 

International students may be eligible in certain circumstances to take a Reduced Course Load and be approved for part time study. These circumstances are: 

1) Reduced course load for academic difficulties, based on:

1. Initial difficulty with English language (first year of program only)

2. Initial difficulty with reading requirements (first year of program only)

3. Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods (first year pf program only)

4. Improper course level placement

An F-1 student can only be approved to take a Reduced Course Load for academic difficulty one time, per degree level, and you must maintain at least half-time enrollment. Please reach out to your ISSS Advisor if you would like to take a Reduced Course Load for Academic Difficulty and explain why your situation meets one of the above criteria for a reduced course load.

You must receive an updated I-20 with approved Reduced Course Load from ISSS before you drop your courses. 

2) Reduced course load for medical reasons

1. A student may request to take a reduced course load for medical reasons, covering both physical and mental health, if you have a letter documenting the condition from a Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Licensed Clinical Psychologist. If your medical provider does not have this designation, please ask the provider to have someone in the practice co-sign your letter. 

2. A medical reduced course load can be taken for up to 12 months cumulatively, per degree level. You may drop below half-time enrollment for a medical reduced course load.

You must receive an updated I-20 with approved Reduced Course Load from ISSS before you drop your courses. 

More information and resources:

• Academic support resources and English language support resources

• Reduced Course Load application forms

If you are outside the United States:

Students who are outside the United States may have more flexibility to reduce their course enrollment.

• Students who began their program in Fall 2020 from their home country and do not yet entered the U.S. on your student visa for UConn are not required to study full-time. You may work with your academic advisor to drop courses as needed, without notifying ISSS.

• Students who were enrolled at UConn before Fall 2020, and returned home due to the pandemic, may choose to either apply for a Reduced Course Load based on the reasons above, or we can terminate your I-20 until you are ready to return to the United States. Then you will not be subject to F-1 visa rules for full time study. If you will give up your active I-20, you must notify your ISSS advisor before studying part-time. You will need to request a new Form I-20 to return to UConn for in-person classes. If you have a scholarship or other financial aid, you may still be required to keep full time courses.

Thank you and we wish you all the best for the rest of the semester!