All F-1 students must be enrolled in a full-time course load during all "on" terms in order to maintain status. There are a few exceptions to the full course of study requirement that students must apply for, and the DSO (OVIS advisor) must authorize, before dropping below full-time enrollment. These are called "Reduced Course Load" authorizations or "RCLs" for short. There are three categories of RCLs: medical, final term of study, and academic difficulty during the first term of study. If a student believes they may qualify for an RCL, they should reach out to their OVIS advisor.