Reduced Course Load

Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for a reduced course load accommodation that allows them to enroll in fewer credit hours while maintaining full-time enrollment status for certain university purposes.

At Texas Tech, an approved reduced course load may allow an undergraduate student to enroll in a minimum of 9 credit hours during a regular semester while being designated as a full-time student for purposes covered by the accommodation.

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Eligibility

A reduced course load is considered individually as a disability-related accommodation. To be considered, a student must:

• Be registered with Student Disability Services.
• Be eligible for disability-related services based on documentation submitted to SDS.
• Provide documentation supporting the need for a reduced course load.

Registration with SDS does not automatically qualify a student for a reduced course load. The accommodation must be supported by the student's disability documentation.

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Documentation Requirements

Documentation must be provided by an appropriately licensed professional and support the need for a reduced course load.

The assessment report should include a recommendation for a reduced course load. If the existing assessment does not specifically recommend a reduced course load, the student must provide a letter of support from the licensed professional who completed the assessment.

The supporting documentation should clearly explain why a reduced course load is necessary because of the student's disability.

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Request Process

1. Contact Student Disability Services. Students should discuss the reduced course load request with their SDS counselor or case manager.
2. Provide supporting documentation. The documentation must support a disability-related need for a reduced course load and include the required recommendation from a licensed professional.
3. SDS reviews the request. Student Disability Services will determine whether the documentation supports the accommodation.
4. SDS provides university notification. When the accommodation is approved, SDS will provide a recommendation to the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled or the dean's designee. SDS also provides notification to the Office of the Registrar and Student Financial Aid.

Students should complete this process before changing their enrollment whenever possible so they can understand how a reduced course load may affect financial aid, scholarships and other university requirements.

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Financial Aid & Other Requirements

An SDS reduced course load designation does not automatically change the enrollment requirements used by financial aid, scholarships or other university programs.

For undergraduate students, Texas Tech generally considers 12 credit hours to be full-time enrollment for financial aid purposes. Some financial aid programs may be reduced, adjusted or require a minimum number of enrolled hours when a student enrolls below full time.

Before reducing your enrollment, contact Student Financial Aid & Scholarships to determine how the change could affect your specific aid package.

Contact Student Financial Aid & Scholarships

Scholarships & Other Programs

A reduced course load accommodation also does not automatically waive enrollment requirements established by:

• Scholarships
• Academic programs
• Licensure or certification programs
• Student employment
• Athletics or other university programs
• Outside agencies or organizations

Students should confirm enrollment requirements with the appropriate office or program before dropping below its required number of credit hours.

Current university requirements for reduced course load accommodations are established in OP 34.22: Establishing Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities.

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Questions About Reduced Course Load?

If you are considering a reduced course load or need help determining what documentation is required, contact Student Disability Services before changing your enrollment.

Email Student Disability Services