Skip to main content
Logo
  • Magnifying-glass icon
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give
logo
  • Magnifying-glass icon
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give

International Student and Scholar Services Office

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Staff
  • Services
    • Services Not Requiring an Appointment
    • How to Contact ISSSO
    • Request Letters Online
    • Document Submission and Pick-Up
  • Students
    • International Student Orientation and Check-In
    • New Students
      • Before Arrival
      • Upon Arrival
      • Housing
    • Entry and Exit
      • General Travel Requirements
      • Automatic VISA Revalidation
      • Applying For F1 Visa
    • Financial Services
      • UH Departmental Scholarship
      • ISSSO Scholarships
      • Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)
    • Employment
    • F-1 Visa Students
      • Maintaining F-1 Status
      • Optional Practical Training (OPT)
      • Reduced Course Load
      • F-1 Employment
      • I-20 Program Extension
      • International Students on Academic Suspension
      • SEVIS Transfer Procedures
      • Reinstatement to Legal F-1 Status
      • Change of Status to F1
    • F-2 Visa Students
    • J-1 Visa Students
      • Maintaining J-1 Visa Status
      • J-1 Student Employment
      • J-1 Student Intern
    • J-2 Visa Students
    • Non-F1/J1 Student
    • International Student Organization (ISO)
  • International Faculty & Scholars
    • Before Arrival
      • About Houston
      • About UH
    • Upon Arrival
      • Banking & Financial Tips
      • Child Care
      • Education for Children
      • Health Care
      • Houston Transportation
      • Medical Emergencies
      • Shopping Tips
      • Safety And Security
    • Housing
      • On-Campus Housing
      • Off-Campus Housing
    • J-1 Research Scholars and Professors
      • J-1/J-2 Insurance Requirements
      • J-1/J-2 Employment Overview
      • J-1 Employment/ Social Security Number Letter
      • Regulations For J-1 Researchers And Professors
      • Regulations for J-1 Short-Term Scholars and Specialists
      • US Department Of State Contact Information
    • Employment-Based Visa
    • International Faculty Mentor Program
    • International Friendship Program
  • Housing
    • On Campus
    • Off Campus
      • Newspapers
      • Free Apartment Locator Services
      • Furniture Rental
      • Additional Sources for Houses, Condominiums, and Apartments
      • Apartment Abbreviations, Descriptive Terms, and Considerations
      • Types of Housing
      • Additional Apartment Considerations
      • Renting a Room, Subletting, Leasing Principles, and Terms
      • Roommates
      • Buying a House or Condominium
      • Final Considerations
  • Departments
    • Inviting J-1 Exchange Visitors to UH
    • J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Employment Seminar
  • Resources
    • News & Announcements
    • Helpful Links
    • Documents and Forms
    • Social Security and ITIN
    • Tax Information
    • International Student Health Insurance
    • International Friendship Program (IFP)
    • Enrollment Reports
  1. UH Home
  2. International Student and Scholar Services
  3. Students
  4. F-1 Visa Students
  5. Reduced Course Load

Students

  • New Students
  • Entry and Exit
  • Financial Services
  • Employment
  • F-1 Visa Students
    • Maintaining F-1 Status
    • Optional Practical Training (OPT)
    • Reduced Course Load (RCL)
    • F-1 Employment
    • I-20 Program Extension
    • Int'l Student on Academic Suspension
    • SEVIS Transfer Procedures
    • Reinstatement to Legal F-1 Status
    • Change of Status to F1
  • F-2 Visa Students
  • J-1 Visa Students
  • J-2 Visa Students
  • Non-F1/J1 Student
  • International Student Organization (ISO)

Reduced Course Load (RCL)

F-1 students are required to maintain full-time student status every semester they are in the United States. Please read the following appropriate handouts to see if you are eligible for a Reduced Course Load.

  • Reduced Course Load for Undergraduate Students
  • Reduced Course Load for Graduate Students
  • Graduate Students Requesting Academic/Medical Withdrawals (0 hours)
University of Houston
University of Houston
Houston, Texas 77204

(713) 743-2255
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Carry Policy
  • Campus Map
  • Career Opportunities
  • Directory
  • Emergency Information
  • Get Help
  • Human Resources
  • Library
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Office of the President
  • Parking
  • Report Copyright Infringement
  • Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Awareness
  • Open Records/Public Information Act
  • Texas Veterans Portal
  • Tuition & Fees
  • UH System
  • University Offices
  • Virtual Tour

©2025 University of Houston. All rights reserved.

  • Report a problem with this page
  • Texas.gov
  • Texas Homeland Security
  • TRAIL
  • Fraud Reporting
  • Fraud & Non-Compliance Hotline
  • Linking Notice
  • Privacy Notice
  • Open Records/Public Information Act
  • Institutional Résumé
  • Required Reports
  • Electronic & Information Resources Accessibility
  • Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Awareness
  • University Policies
©