Medical RCL for F-1 and J-1 Students

Overview

  • If you are an F-1 or J-1 student experiencing a temporary medical condition that prevents you from studying full-time, you may request permission for a medical reduced course load (medical RCL). A medical RCL allows you to remain in the US for a term while enrolled only part-time or, if medically necessary, not enrolled at all. To qualify for a medical RCL:
  • You must submit to International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) recent medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, psychiatrist, license psychologist, clinical psychologist or doctor of osteopathy that recommends a reduced course load based on a temporary illness or medical condition.
  • The medical documentation must be signed, dated and refer to the specific term (e.g., “Fall 2026 Term”) for which you are requesting a reduced course load.
  • The medical condition must be your own (a medical RCL cannot be granted for medical conditions experienced by your dependent family members).
  • Authorization for a medical RCL is granted on a term-by-term basis and requires submission of updated medical documentation for each additional term of medical RCL requested.
  • No more than 12 months (four quarters) of medical RCL may be granted at your current degree level. You may be eligible for an additional 12 months of medical RCL eligibility if you advance to a higher degree level.
  • You must return to full-time study in the term immediately after a medical RCL term, unless you are approved for another term of medical RCL.
  • Acceptable documentation must be received by ISSS before you can be authorized for a reduced course load. 

Note to international graduate students: Medical RCL authorizes reduced enrollment only for immigration purposes. Graduate Studies’ Academic Leave process and GE employment leave processes are separate and have different eligibility requirements. See below for more details."

Steps:

  1. Download and share the Medical Care Provider Guide with your doctor.
  2. Request a letter of recommendation from your doctor for a medical RCL.
  3. Go to iconnect.uoregon.edu and submit the Medical RCL eform under F-1 Student Services.

Health Insurance

International students must have medical insurance while on a medical RCL. You will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the UO's student health benefits plan unless you can provide evidence of insurance which meets the UO's waiver criteria, or will remain covered under the GTFF insurance plan as a Graduate Employee. 

If you are a Graduate Employee (GE) requesting a medical RCL, please check with the GTFF benefits coordinator (benefits@gtff.net) about your insurance coverage. If your enrollment in the GTFF insurance plan changes, you will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the UO's student health benefits plan unless you can provide evidence of insurance which meets the UO's waiver criteria. During the academic year (Fall, Winter, and Spring terms), GEs must either (1) be enrolled in at least 9 graduate credits, or (2) be approved for Paid Leave Oregon (PLO) for at least 5 weeks of the term to maintain GE pay and benefits.

Additional Considerations for International Graduate Students 

  • If you are requesting a reduced or no course load, please discuss this first with your UO graduate program.
  • Students who are not registered must apply for Academic On-Leave Status with the Division of Graduate Studies.

How Leave Processes Intersect for International GEs

GE Family and Medical Leave (GE-FML) is unpaid and does not maintain GE funding or benefits unless combined with Paid Leave Oregon (PLO). See GE Absences and Leave Policies for more information about taking leave from your GE employment. In addition, international GEs may need to request multiple types of leave depending on their situation. To summarize:

 

Example Scenario:An international GE unable to study or work for 5+ weeks due to a medical condition should request:Medical RCL (ISSS)Academic Leave (Graduate Studies)PLO (Unum) if they wish to retain pay and benefits