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2023-2024 Information Found in Other Publications

Medical Leave of Absence

Initiation of Request for Medical Leave of Absence

A student requesting medical leave must make the request in writing to the Director of Counseling and Health Services. The request may be for either one or two semesters.  The Director will notify the Registrar of the request and will direct the student to provide appropriate documentation from a physician, therapist or other qualified caregiver.

Determination of Request

A decision approving or disapproving the medical leave request will be made by the Director of Counseling and Health Services.  If there is a pending academic or disciplinary proceeding that could result in a suspension from the University, medical leave requests will not be considered until the proceeding has concluded.  A student under suspension from the University is ineligible for medical leave.

As part of receiving medical leave for mental health reasons, if indicated, the student may be asked to sign a behavioral agreement regarding ongoing treatment during the time he or she is on medical leave.  Failure to comply with this treatment would result in a termination of the medical leave and mandatory withdrawal from school.

When a student has been approved for medical leave, the Director will provide a copy of the decision to the Registrar.  The Registrar will notify appropriate offices on campus of the student's status and send a copy of the decision to the student for his or her records.

Copies of the decision will be maintained in the student’s academic and student life files. Original documentation from the student’s medical records will be maintained by the Director of Counseling and Health Services.

Students requesting Medical Leave of Absence need to be aware that Leave of Absence status exists largely to assist the student with non-financial aid related issues, such as remaining on the parent's medical insurance plan while on Leave of Absence.  From a financial aid standpoint, Leave of Absence status must be treated as a withdrawal and the student's financial aid will be adjusted accordingly.  See the Return of Title IV Funds/Institutional Refund Policy section of this booklet for more information on this process.

Click here to visit the page where you can find all of the Medical Leave instructions and forms.