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Reduced Course Load

Policy

BYU–Hawaii requires students to maintain a minimum number of credit hours per semester to be considered full-time. A student may request a reduced course load (“RCL”) to take less than the minimum number of credits and still be considered a full-time rather than a part-time student.

Implementation

Full-time status is defined as 12 or more credits for fall and winter semesters and 8 or more credits for spring semester. If an RCL is granted, it is still expected that students will graduate within the defined time to graduation. See the Enrollment policy.

1.1 Eligibility

A student may apply for an RCL

  1. based on medical or psychological conditions, or
  2. during his or her final semester.

The dean of students determines whether a student is eligible for an RCL based on a medical or psychological condition. A written statement from a physician or counselor recommending a reduction in studies is typically required and is used as one factor in the evaluation process.

1.2 Approval


An academic advisor will work with the student to minimize the impact of the RCL on his or her graduation timeline. Students that receive financial aid of any type, when requesting an RCL, must meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss impacts to financial aid, scholarships and work-study participation.

The dean of students brings RCL requests to the student life vice president for final approval. An RCL load for longer than one semester is only approved in rare and exceptional cases.

Disclaimer

The policies on this website (including any university procedures, processes, benefits, courses of conduct, or oral or written statements arising from or related to these policies) do not constitute any legally enforceable contract, obligation, or liability on the part of the university, except to the extent that they are incorporated by reference into a written agreement signed by an authorized university official. These policies do not alter the “at-will” employment status of any university employee hired on an “at-will” basis. The university reserves the right to interpret, revise, or withdraw these policies at any time and at its sole discretion.

Details

Purpose


Brigham Young University–Hawaii recognizes that circumstance may not allow a student to be able to successfully take the required amount of classes to be considered a full-time student. This policy outlines when a student may qualify to carry less than the minimum credit load and retain their full-time student status.

Related Policies and Procedures


Accommodations of Persons with Disabilities

Enrollment

Reduced Course Load Process

Student Leave of Absence

Information


Applicability


All Students

Policy Owner


Dean of Students

Executive Sponsor


Student Life Vice President

Common Abbreviations


Brigham Young University–Hawaii ("BYU–Hawaii" or "university")
Church Educational System ("CES")
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Church of Jesus Christ" or "Church")

Revision History


Created: 03/20/2010
Last Reviewed: 03/20/2010
Next Review: 05/14/26
Last Modified: 09/11/25

A full revision history is maintained by the Office of Compliance & Ethics