FINAL QUARTER REDUCED COURSE LOAD (RCL)

A final quarter RCL is authorization for F-1 or J-1 students who are eligible to enroll in less than 12 units during their final, graduating quarter. Students must apply and receive RCL authorization from the UC San Diego International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) before dropping to less than 12 units. Review all steps below to understand how to request RCL and how it may affect your status.

STEP 1: CONFIRM ELIGIBILITY

Visa Status

You must be in your final graduating term and enrolled in less than 12 units or on filing fee status (graduate students only).
UC EAP reciprocity students are not eligible for final quarter RCL.

Reduced Tuition

The final quarter RCL may also correspond with a part-time study (undergraduate students) or half-time study (graduate students) application depending on when the student is applying and number of units enrolled:

Undergraduate students are eligible for part-time status if they enroll in 10 or fewer units AND are applying before the end of Week 2.
Graduate students are eligible for half-time status if they enroll in 6 or fewer units and are applying before the end of Week 2.

STEP 2: SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST IN iPORTAL

Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
Go to "Services" tab.
Select "Reduced Course Load Request".
Complete your request.
"Submit" your request.
This iPortal RCL request is not the same as Part-Time/Half-Time Study application, and it will not reduce your tuition.

Reduced Tuition

For reduced tuition, you must meet the eligibility requirements and submit a separate request to be approved for part-time/half-time status using the Part-Time e-Form (undergraduate students) or Half-Time e-Form (graduate students).
This process is fully handled by the UC San Diego Registrar's Office. If you have any questions about your tuition reduction or refund, make sure to contact the Registrar's Office directly.

STEP 3: LEARN WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

F-1 students: If your final quarter RCL is approved, an updated I-20 reflecting your RCL authorization will be issued within 5 business days.
J-1 students: If your final quarter RCL is approved, an updated DS-2019 may be issued if your program end date was shortened. If your DS-2019 did not need to be shortened, you will receive an email that you will need to save for your records.
You can check the status of your request anytime by logging in to iPortal and clicking on "My Requests" tab.
A notification email will be sent to you when your document is ready.
Sign your updated I-20/DS-2019 when you receive it, and keep your previous I-20/DS-2019 for your records, do NOT throw it away.
If you are unable to complete your program by the end date on your I-20/DS-2019, you must submit an "Extension I-20/DS-2019 Request" prior to this date. Visit this page to learn more: Extension of I-20/DS-2019 Program End Date.
Visit this page to learn what you can do upon completion of your program: Graduating from UC San Diego.