Less Than Full Time

A reduced course load can be approved based on academic difficulty only once while pursuing a course of study at a particular program level. Students who receive approval for LTFT for academic reasons must remain enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours for undergraduate students or 4.5 credit hours for graduate students. To apply for a reduced course load based on any of the academic reasons, you must submit a letter from your academic advisor recommending you for LTFT for a specific term and explaining why the reduced course load is needed. The letter must be on an official letterhead.

• Initial difficulty with English language or reading requirements: is limited to first academic year only.
• Initial unfamiliarity with American teaching methods: is limited to first academic year only.
• Improper course level placement

If a student has documented medical reasons that prevent them from enrolling full time, they may be eligible for a less than full-time authorization for medical reasons. To apply for a reduced course load based on medical reasons, you must submit a letter from your medical provider recommending you for LTFT for the specific term. You are limited to up to 12 aggregate months of medical LTFT per program level.

• The letter must be on an official letterhead signed by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist stating that in their medical opinion, the student is not able to attend classes during a specific term or not able to attend classes full-time.
• The doctor should use the suggested letter template below. The doctor is not required to provide details about your diagnosis or medical condition or illness. However, the letter must include all information required on the template letter. If you cannot take any courses, the letter must clearly state that.
• You must receive authorization from ISSS before you drop below full-time enrollment.
• Approval for medical LTFT must be authorized by ISSS for each term requested.
• If you are approved for a medical LTFT, you are expected to return to full-time studies after your LTFT period has ended.
• If you are in your final term and would like to request a medical RCL, you will be required to enroll in at least one course.

Suggested template letter

[must be printed on doctor’s office letterhead]
[date]
International Students and Scholars Services
Drexel University

To Whom It May Concern: This letter is to inform you that I recommend the below named student (select one reason): be placed on a reduced course load for the (insert the term and year) due to medical reasons OR is unable to take any courses during the (insert term and year) due to medical reasons.

[Student’s Name]
[Student’s DOB]
[Doctor’s Signature]
[Doctor’s Printed Name, Tittle, and Stamp]

Students enrolled full-time at Drexel for the previous consecutive academic year (3 quarters/2 semesters) can request a break from their full-time course load for one term. During this term, students can take no classes or enroll in classes. Students taking an International Break term should plan to enroll full-time in courses starting the next available term.

Students in their final term of degree program who are enrolled for the credit hours needed to complete their program of study can be LTFT.

Note: For F-1 and J-1 students enrolled for classes for credit or classroom hours, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits per session, term, semester, trimester, or quarter may be counted towards the full course of study requirement if the class is taken on-line or through distance education and does not require the student’s physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to completion of the class. An on-line or distance education course is a course that is offered principally through the use of television, audio or computer transmission including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave or satellite, audio conferencing, or computer conferencing. F-1 students may be eligible to take more than one online class to maintain their status as long as the class is physically proctored or monitored by a school employee.” (8 C.F.R. 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G))

To apply for a reduced course load based on any of the academic reasons, you must submit a letter from your academic advisor recommending you for LTFT for a specific term and explaining why the reduced course load is needed. The letter must be on an official letterhead.

Note: According to the U.S. Federal Regulations, lack of financial support does not constitute a valid reason to reduce course load.