Reduced course load request procedures (NDSU Policy 606.3)

A student with a disability may request to be considered a full-time student while carrying a less-than-full-time course load if he/she is seeking:

• non-federal or campus-based financial aid.
• participation in an intercollegiate sport offered at NDSU.
• participation in other university-sponsored activities, a healthcare plan or benefit requiring full-time status.

Step 1
The student initiates the request for a reduced course load.

• Requests for a reduced course load are submitted to the student's DS case worker in writing with supporting documentation. Students are encouraged to make this request 4-6 weeks prior to the semester for which a reduced course load is sought.
• Supporting documentation must include a diagnostic evaluation from an appropriate professional that is recent enough to evaluate the current impact of the disability.

Step 2
The DS case worker will evaluate the documentation and the request in terms of the impact of the disability and the demands of the student's current or proposed schedule. In some cases, additional documentation may be required to make a determination.

Step 3
DS personnel prepares a written summary and recommendation regarding the request to the appropriate department (e.g., Student Financial Services, Office of Registration and Records, or the Athletics Office). A copy of this document is kept in the DS file.

• This recommendation will include an evaluation of the documentation and the request in terms of the impact of the disability and the demands of the current or proposed schedule.
• The student will meet with their DS case worker to discuss the potential consequences of the reduced course load in regard to financial aid, registration and records, and athletic departmental guidelines. The departmental representative will evaluate the information and make a determination regarding the reduced course load status. The student will be notified during the meeting or as soon as a determination has been made.

Step 4
If the request is denied, the student may appeal the decision by following the Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Complaint Procedures (NDSU Policy 156). https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/156.pdf

Step 5
At the agreed upon credit load, the student is considered full time and is entitled to all the services, benefits, rights and privileges of full-time status. Students who drop below the agreed upon credit load will jeopardize their full-time student status.