APPLICATION FOR DEVIATION FROM THE FULL COURSE OF STUDY REQUIREMENT
FOR F-1 AND J-1 STUDENTS
Under United States federal immigration law, all international students in F-1 and J-1 visa status are required to register full-time
every semester. 12 credits is considered full-time for undergraduate students and 9 credits for graduate students. Individual colleges
at Pace may also grant full-time equivalencies (FTE) even though the student is not registered for a full-time course load.
Under certain circumstances, the law allows for a deviation from the full course of study requirement. Please note that ONLY the
reasons listed below are acceptable per F1and J1 visa regulations.
Please note:
 Student must receive an approval for Reduced Course Load (RCL) from the International Students &
Scholars Office (ISS) prior to dropping below full time. Failure to obtain an approval for RCL prior to
dropping below full-time is a violation of F-1 status.
 If RCL is approved, undergraduate student must register for at least 6-credits, and graduate student must
register for at least 5-credits, after being approved for RCL due to one of the following reasons in Section B
except “final semester”, “working on thesis or dissertation” or “medical reason”.
 Student may ONLY request a Reduced Course Load (RCL) for one semester during their entire program,
except in the case of medical reasons.
 RCL for medical reasons must be approved by ISS based on proper documentation signed by a medical
professional. RCL Approval for medical reasons is permitted for an aggregate of 12 months during
academic program.
A. To be completed by student:
Name of Student: ________________________________________________________ ID Number: _______________ Degree
Level: _______________ Major: ________________________ School at Pace: ____________________
Semester requesting Reduced Course Load: (circle) Fall / Spring - Year: ___________________________
Start Date: _____________________ End Date: ______________________Anticipated Degree Completion Date: ____________
B. To be completed by Academic Advisor:
_____This is the student’s final semester of course work prior to completion of the degree.
_____Student has initial difficulty with English language. (NOTE: May only be used during the first semester.)
_____Student has initial difficulty with reading requirements. (NOTE: May only be used during the first semester)
_____Student is unfamiliar with U.S. teaching methods. (NOTE: May only be used during the first semester.)
_____Student is placed in an improper course level.
_____Student is completing formal course work this semester and working full-time on thesis or dissertation.
_____Student has completed formal course work and working full-time on dissertation (register for “maintaining matriculation”)
Academic Advisor Name and ph. #.: _____________________Signature and date: _____________________________
C. Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) to be completed by Graduate/Doctoral program Director * (see note below):
____ Program required internship/externship or clinical practice. Indicate the number of hrs per week of internship ____
____ Supervised research on dissertation. Indicate the number of hrs per week of research ____
____Master’s thesis
____Doctoral candidates working on dissertation
* Please note student must be enrolled for at least 3 cr. per semester if FTE was granted by the program Director.
Graduate/Doctoral program Director/Dean/Chairperson Name________________ Signature and date: ____________________
To be completed by ISS Designated School Official (DSO)
The above stated information is acceptable deeming this student full-time status according to 8 CFR214.2(f)(6).
DSO’s signature: ________________________________________________ Date: _____________________________
Pace University, International Students & Scholars Office
Rev. 09/14/2016