Leave of Absence

Academic Leaves
Academic LOAs (i.e., leaves to take course work at another university, for research, field work, internships, professional development, etc.) are handled on a case-by-case basis by the student’s department and the Graduate College.

Medical Leaves
Graduate students in degree programs may be granted a Medical Leave of Absence by the Dean of the Graduate College. Under extraordinary circumstances, LOAs may be granted retroactively for up to one year. Students will be readmitted without reapplying to the department and the Graduate College. Only when the LOA is approved prior to the beginning of the semester for which the LOA is being sought will students be exempted from fees for that semester. Only academic services or facilities available to the general public can be used during the LOA.

Personal Leaves
Graduate students in degree programs may be granted a Leave of Absence for a maximum of one year throughout the course of their degree program by the Dean of the Graduate College. LOAs may be granted retroactively for up to one year. LOAs are granted on a case-by-case basis for compelling reasons including birth or adoption of a child, personal or family reasons, medical reasons, military duty, or financial hardship. Students will be readmitted without reapplying to the department and the Graduate College at the expiration of the LOA. Only when the LOA is approved prior to the beginning of the semester for which the LOA is being sought will students be exempted from fees for that semester. Only academic services or facilities available to the general public can be used during the LOA.

Leaves of Absence (LOAs) may affect the status of a graduate student’s financial aid. Students are responsible for determining the requirements of their funding agency and/or academic unit prior to applying for a Leave of Absence.

Failure to obtain a Leave of Absence or remain in continuous enrollment will result in penalties, as described in the Continuous Enrollment policy requirements.

Leave of Absence form.