internationaloffice.berkeley.edu
Reduced Course Load Request
Academic and Final Semester
The purpose of this form is for F-1 and J-1 international students to request a reduction in their course load during their
program of study for academic reasons. It is available at: http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/request_forms
International students in F-1 or J-1 immigration status are required to be registered full-time every semester. Failure to
register or maintain full-time enrollment may result in the loss of F-1 or J-1 status. Reduced enrollment must be
approved by Berkeley International Office before dropping courses. Students may seek authorization to be enrolled
less than full-time during a given semester for a limited number of academic reasons. Full-time enrollment is:
Undergraduates
Graduates
12 units or more. Note: Some colleges may require more than 12 units to be considered fulltime (e.g. Letters & Sciences full-time = 13 units)
Defined by the department
Family Name:
First Name:
Student ID#:
Major/Department:
Bachelors
Masters
PhD
EAP
Other
Semester of requested reduced enrollment:
Expected degree completion date:
Final semester at UC Berkeley:
Number of units enrolled before drop:
Number of units enrolled after drop:
Final Semester
Fall
Fall
Spring
Spring
Year:
Summer Year:
(instructions on reverse)
“I verify that the above mentioned student is on the degree list and will be completing all degree requirements to
graduate at the end of the
Fall
Spring
Summer of the year
.”
Comments:
College Adviser Signature (undergrads only):
Print Name:
Academic Difficulty
Major / Faculty Adviser’s Signature:
Date:
Print Name:
Date:
(instructions on reverse)
To the College or Major Adviser / Faculty Member: Check one of the reasons for the reduced enrollment and sign below.
Improper course placement or sequence
Initial difficulties with (circle one or both): English language requirements
Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods
English reading requirements
“I am aware of the circumstances above, have reviewed the educational implications and recommend reduced
enrollment for the requested semester.” Optional Comments:
Signature:
Print Name:
Department:
Phone:
Email:
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Updated July 2015
internationaloffice.berkeley.edu
Reduced Course Load:
Understanding Your Options
Final Semester
Students may drop below full time if it is their final semester. International students must be on the degree list
and complete all degree requirements by the end of the specified semester. Upon completion of the specified
semester, F-1 students have a 60-day grace period for to depart (one time only), request a transfer to another
school, or apply for Optional Practical Training. J-1 students have allowed a 30-day grace period for departure.
J-1 students who want to work in the US must apply for Academic Training prior to the end of the semester
and their DS-2019 end date. For more information on employment options, see
http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/training/main.
Required Signatures:
After obtaining required signatures, submit this form to Berkeley International Office.
 Undergraduates: Signatures from both the College and Major Advisers are required.
 Graduate students: Signature from either the Graduate Student Affairs Adviser or Faculty Adviser is required.
Academic Difficulty
Students may drop below full-time due to improper course placement or sequence, initial English language
difficulties, initial difficulty with reading requirements, or unfamiliarity with American teaching methods. An
academic adviser (college or major adviser) or professor teaching the class that will be dropped must
recommend the reduced enrollment.
Reduced enrollment for academic reasons may be approved for only one semester during the student’s
degree program. Students should consider this carefully before requesting an approved reduced enrollment
for academic reasons since it can only be used once (note: this excludes final semester reduced course load
described above).
To the College or Major Adviser:
International students in F-1 or J-1 immigration status must enroll full-time every semester or
have approval for reduced enrollment from Berkeley International Office as described above.
Students requesting approval for reduced enrollment must have your recommendation and the
reduced enrollment can only be recommended for the reasons stated on this form.
If you have questions about making a recommendation or would like to discuss a case with an
International Student Adviser, please contact Berkeley International Office at 510-642-2818.
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Updated July 2015