Final Term Enrollment
Degree-seeking students who are in their final academic term of their program of study may not need a full-time course load to complete the requirements for their degree; if this is the case, they may be eligible for a Final Term Reduced Courseload (RCL). Students in this situation may be eligible to enroll in less than a full course-load during their final term (this includes students completing their program during one of the available summer terms) as long as all of the following criteria are met:
- Students may not enroll in only online classes
- In your final academic term, only one class can be online – if you have only one class left to complete, it must be an in-person class
- The only exception is for students who intend to finish their program online from overseas
- Please also refer to the limitations on online course enrollment
- Students must maintain appropriate on-ground presence for the duration of their final term via enrollment in on-ground classes
- Students may not enroll in courses that only occur in the first session of the term and have no course enrollment in second session of the term
- Students must enroll in all remaining courses needed to complete their academic program
- Students must understand that the end date on their I-20 will be updated to align with their final term of enrollment
- Students who complete their program in Summer 1 will have an I-20/DS-2019 end date that reflects the end of the Summer 1 term; it will not reflect the degree conferral date which occurs at the end of the summer
No SEVIS authorization from OGS is needed for a Final Term RCL, though we do advise students to confirm with their academic advisor that all graduation requirements have been met.
In rare situations, a student may request a second Final Term RCL if they were unable to complete their degree requirements in the final term. This is usually limited to students who received a failing grade for a required course in their final term. No more than two consecutive Final Term RCL approvals may be granted. If you need to request a second Final Term RCL, please contact OGS to schedule an appointment with a Designated School Official (DSO).
All students in their final term must notify OGS by submitting the Intent to Complete Program form within 30 days after the start of their final term. This e-form alerts OGS to shorten a student’s I-20/DS-2019 if your end date occurs in a future term. Remember, your I-20/DS-2019 end date must correspond with your final term of enrollment.