Medical Reduction of Course Load (RCL) / No Course Load (NCL) Procedure

Medical Reduction of Course Load/No Course Load (Medical RCL/NCL) are for the current semester only and requests must be submitted before the last day of class(es) for that semester, preferably prior to the start of the semester. This process should always begin with consultation with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) regarding intent to apply for a change in course load.

Purpose

The purpose of Medical RCL/NCL is to support the student in taking time away from school to receive treatment for their physical and/or mental health to focus their time and resources on improving their health and eventually returning to the University with a significantly improved chance of academic and personal success. This process is student-initiated when their condition prohibits them from functioning. It is expected that time away from the University will be used for treatment and recovery.

Procedure

International F-1 or J-1 students must maintain a full course of study to comply with their immigration status, unless otherwise authorized by the ISSO. Students can be authorized to engage in a reduction of course load or no course load based on ongoing medical issues through the Medical RCL/NCL process.

International F-1 or J-1 students requesting to take a Medical RCL/NCL must provide official medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor (MD), a licensed doctor of osteopathy (DO), licensed psychologist, or a licensed clinical psychologist, according to federal regulations. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(iii)(B) and 22 CFR 62.23(e)(2). 

A Medical RCL/NCL must include the diagnosis as well as accompanying justification as to why the student is unable to continue their full course of study. When requesting medical documentation, students should seek advice from their MD, DO, licensed psychologist, or licensed clinical psychologist as to whether to request a Medical RCL/NCL from the University and have that stated on their documentation. Please note that pregnancy in and of itself will not justify a Medical RCL/NCL unless there is medical documentation by the student’s medical provider to support it.

Please be advised that requests may be denied if the medical condition and accompanying documentation do not meet the criteria for no course load or course reduction.

F-1 international students should be aware that federal regulations require that the above-mentioned process be approved on a semester-by-semester basis. International students may be authorized to reduce their academic course load for illness or medical conditions on more than one occasion during the same academic level through the above-mentioned review process so long as the aggregate period of that authorization does not exceed 12 months. 

An International Student requesting a Medical RCL/NCL must:

  1. Read this International Student Medical Reduction of Course Load (RCL)/No Course Load (NCL) Procedure.
  2. Consult with the ISSO and complete the Request for Reduced Course Load (RCL) or No Course Load (NCL) for Illness or Medical Conditions (ISSO Form) and have a licensed doctor of osteopathy (DO), licensed medical doctor (MD), licensed psychologist or licensed clinical psychologist sign the form.
  3. Complete page 1 of the International Student Request for Reduced or No Course Load for Medical Reasons form (doc) (Wellness Center Form).
  4. Have the student’s licensed medical provider (DO, MD, licensed psychologist, or licensed clinical psychologist) complete page 2 of the International Student Request for Reduced or No Course Load for Medical Reasons form (doc) (Wellness Center Form).
  5. Completed application is submitted in one of the following ways:
    • E-mailed to: Wellness_Center@uml.edu as an attachment 
    • Dropped off in person to: The Wellness Center, University Crossing 300
    • Mailed to: 220 Pawtucket St., Suite 300 Lowell, MA 01854
    • Faxed to: 978-934-3080

Application Review Process

  1. Upon receipt of a completed application, a Wellness Center designee will review and communicate the decision via student e-mail within 10 business days.  Review periods may be longer during times of higher application volume.  All documentation will be kept confidential and will only be accessible to the Wellness Center designee(s) and others within the University with whom the Wellness Center consults, including ISSO, on a need-to-know basis. Documentation is stored separately from student’s health or academic record.
  2. The Wellness Center Designee(s) will make a recommendation to the ISSO based the documentation submitted by the student. Specifics of medical information will be kept confidential, but limited information may be provided to ISSO so that they have sufficient information to issue the RCL/NCL.
  3. The following details the potential outcomes and ensuing actions:
  • Approved:
    • ISSO will process the Medical RCL/NCL in SEVIS. Important: Students must not drop or withdraw from any courses until ISSO has approved the Medical RCL/NCL and instructed the student to do so. 
    • A hold will be placed on the student’s account, preventing future course registration.
    • The student will proceed with a semester of reduced or no course load. The student will be expected to submit an International Student Readiness for Return from RCL or NCL for Medical Reasons form (doc) (Wellness Center form) and resume a regular course load in the following semester unless the student reapplies for an additional semester of Medical RCL/NCL.
    • Any courses already registered for the next semester will be administratively dropped unless an International Student Request for Reduced or No Course Load for Medical Reasons form (doc) (Wellness Center form) has been approved (within one week of the start of the following semester). 
    • Students living in Campus Housing must notify Residence Life of their intent to leave campus, check out, and turn in their key to apply for pro-rated Housing and Meal Plan charges.
  • Denied:
    • Students may appeal denials of Medical RCL/NCL within 10 business days of notification of their denial. The decision will only be reconsidered if substantial new information is submitted. 
    • Steps include:
    1. Obtain additional documentation from MD, DO, licensed psychologist or licensed clinical psychologist indicating in greater detail why a Medical RCL/NCL is required.  
    2. E-mail a request to appeal the Medical RCL/NCL decision and include attached documentation to: Wellness_Center@uml.edu with “Reduced Course Load or No Course Load Appeal” in the subject line.
    3. The appeal decision will be communicated to the student in writing within 15 business days of receipt of the appeal and supporting documentation. All appeal decisions are considered final and may not be appealed further.

Procedure to Return to Full-time Coursework Following RCL or NCL

For a student to resume classes following a Medical RCL/NCL, the following steps must be completed (recommended before the first day of classes):

  1. Student completes Page 1 of the International Student Readiness for Return from RCL or NCL for Medical Reasons form (doc) (Wellness Center form). 
  2. External DO, MD, licensed psychologist or licensed clinical psychologist completes Page 2 of the International Student Readiness for Return from RCL or NCL for Medical Reasons form (doc) (Wellness Center form).  
  3. Submit completed application (Page 1 completed by student; Page 2 completed by healthcare provider). Incomplete forms are not reviewed until all requested information is provided.  
  4. Completed Readiness for Return form is submitted in one of the following ways:
    • E-mailed to: Wellness_Center@uml.edu as an attachment 
    • Dropped off in person to: the Wellness Center, University Crossing 300
    • Mailed to: 220 Pawtucket St., Suite 300 Lowell, MA 01854
    • Faxed to: 978-934-3080
  5. Students will be notified via email as soon as possible whether the request was approved, and the registration hold will be removed. Students having difficulty enrolling in classes following this process should contact The Solution Center.  If a student is permitted to re-enroll following a Medical RCL/NCL, the student is responsible for coordinating the return to the university community with the appropriate university offices.

If you have a concern or complaint that your rights have not been met under the American with Disabilities Act, you may contact the UMass Lowell Equal Opportunity and Outreach Office.