Leaves of Absence

• Speak with a Case Manager
  • A student wishing to take a MLoA must discuss this request with a Case Manager in person, over the phone, or via Zoom. There can be many interventions that Case Managers can offer in lieu of a leave, if appropriate. The Case Manager may ask the student to speak to other offices while the student considers if a MLoA is appropriate or the best option for them. Those offices may include the Mental Health Services, Student Disability Services, or Primary Care.
  • If a MLoA is the best option, the student will work with their Case Manager to discuss logistics and relevant concerns related to a MLoA, such as the financial implications or changes to a student’s academic plan.
• Notice to academic department
  • Fill out our LoA form and attach a completed Application for Graduate Student Leave of Absence. We will then send that application to appropriate staff in the academic department.
• Documentation
  • Obtain documentation from current medical provider(s) and send to Case Manager. This may include a primary care physician, surgeon, psychiatrist, therapist, etc.
• Special Considerations for International students
  • Students utilizing an 1-20 to study within the U.S. will also need to consult Office if International Services (OIS). Review their page on taking a leave of absence.
  • Often students remaining in the U.S. during a medical leave will need to complete a Reduced Courseload Request. Medical documentation will also be needed for this process.
• Official notice
  • Once a student decides to take a Medical Leave of Absence, the Case Manager will contact the student’s faculty to confirm the last day that the student attended class. This is used to determine any tuition refund if applicable.
  • Graduate Education and Lifelong Learning (GELL) will send out an email which indicates that a student is going on leave and when they are expected to return. This memo also indicates any refund that the student can expect to receive and will trigger the Registrar to place a hold in SIS to be removed upon reinstatement.
• Contact Student Financial Support and Student Accounts
  • The student should contact Student Financial Support and/or Student Accounts for information about getting any refund and discussing how the leave may impact future semester aid.

Typically, it takes several weeks to process reinstatement from medical leave. While we will attempt to process your return as quickly as possible, it is important to allow time for this process as students frequently need to communicate with many offices to make arrangements for their return.

• Connect with ESSA
  • Students should contact their Case Manager to notify them of their intent to return to discuss logistics associated with returning.
  • Students will not be able to register for classes until the Registrar has processed the reinstatement and any relevant holds have been removed from their account (e.g. academic or financial holds).
• Notice to academic department
  • Fill out our Reinstatement Form and attach a completed Application for Graduate Student Return from a Leave of Absence. We will then send that application to the appropriate academic staff in the academic department.
• Documentation
  • We ask that a student provide documentation from a current medical provider indicating the student’s readiness to return. This may include a primary care physician, surgeon, psychiatrist, therapist, etc.
• Considerations for international students
  • The time it takes to obtain an I-20 can vary depending on one’s home country. It is important to allow time for this process. Students should communicate with the Office of International Services to discuss how much time will be necessary to obtain the appropriate paperwork.
• Prepare to return
  • Case Managers will meet with students to discuss logistics such as finding housing, registering for classes, etc.

• Speak with a Case Manager
  • A student wishing to take a Personal Leave of Absence does not need to meet with a Case Manager. We do however recommend an appointment to discuss any interventions that Case Managers can offer in lieu of a leave, if appropriate.
  • If a PLoA is the best option, the student will work with their case manager to discuss logistics and relevant concerns related to time away, such as the financial implications or changes to a student’s academic plan.
• Notice to academic department
  • Fill out our LoA form and attach a completed “Application for Graduate Student Leave of Absence”. We will then send that application to the appropriate academic staff in the academic department.
  • A student must also write a brief statement of explanation to better explain their need and plans for leave.
• Special Considerations for International students
  • Students utilizing a Visa to study within the U.S. will also need to consult Office if International Services (OIS). Review their page on taking a leave of absence.
• Official notice
  • Once a department has reviewed the request for a PLoA, their request will be forwarded to Graduate Education & Lifelong Learning (GELL)
  • GELL will send out an email which indicates that a student is going on leave and when they are expected to return. This memo also indicates any refund that the student can expect to receive and will trigger the Registrar to place a hold in SIS to be removed upon reinstatement.
• Contact Student Financial Support and Student Accounts
  • The student should contact Student Financial Support and/or Student Accounts for information about getting any refund and discussing how the leave may impact future semester aid.

Typically, it takes several weeks to process reinstatement from a PLoA. While departments attempt to process your return as quickly as possible, it is important to allow time for this process as students frequently need to communicate with several offices to make arrangements for their return.

• Connect with ESSA
  • If desired, a student may wish to connect with their Case Manager of their intent to return to discuss logistics associated with returning.
  • Students will not be able to register for classes until the Registrar has processed the reinstatement and any relevant holds have been removed from their account (e.g. academic or financial holds).
• Fill out our Reinstatement Form and attach a completed “Application for Graduate Student Return from a Leave of Absence”. We will then send that application to the appropriate academic staff in the academic department.
• Considerations for international students
  • The time it takes to obtain an I-20 can vary depending on one’s home country. It is important to allow time for this process. Students should communicate with the Office of International Services to discuss how much time will be necessary to obtain the appropriate paperwork.
• Prepare to return
  • Case Managers will meet with students to discuss logistics such as finding housing, registering for classes, etc.

Students who are experiencing physical or mental health issues sometimes need to pause their academics to have dedicated time to take care of themselves. This process allows students to take a semester or longer to work with their medical professionals to ensure they are well enough to come back.

Yes, any Whiting graduate student (master’s or PhD) who is experiencing physical or mental health issues can take a medical leave of absence.

Yes, international students may stay in the US during a medical leave of absence utilizing a Reduced Courseload Request. The Office of International Services (OIS) should be included immediately when a student is considering a leave of any kind.

Students need a letter written from a medical or mental health professional recommending a medical leave of absence. If the student has been working with a doctor or therapist, this current provider is preferable. If the student has not received treatment yet, they can work with Mental Health Services or Primary Care for documentation. International students must have a letter from an MD or PhD.

It depends on when your medical leave of absence is processed. Please let your Case Manager know if you will need student health insurance during your leave.

Think about where you will be living and what you’ll be doing during your leave. Will you be staying in Baltimore? If not, do you need to buy a plane ticket? Do you need to terminate your lease? Do you need to find a doctor/therapist? Do you need to schedule doctor appointments or therapist appointments?

Students who want to come back from medical leave need to submit the Return from Leave of Absence form to their department. They will need a letter from a doctor or therapist recommending that you are well enough to return to your academics.

Students who want to extend their medical leave need to submit the Leave of Absence Extension Request to their department. They will need a letter from a doctor or therapist recommending a medical leave extension.

With approved extensions, medical leaves of absence cannot exceed a total of two years.

No. Once a leave is processed, the student is removed from their courses. Once this happens the student is no longer maintaining their F-1 status, and therefore is no longer enrolled as a full-time student. The Office of International Services (OIS) should be included immediately when a student is considering leave of any kind.

It depends on when your personal leave of absence is processed. Please let your Case Manager know if you will need student health insurance during your leave.

Depending on when the leave is put in place, students will be refunded between 0 and 100% of tuition, in accordance with the university’s refund policy.

For domestic students receiving federal funds, the Office of Student Financial Support is required by federal statute to recalculate federal financial aid eligibility for students taking a leave of absence prior to completing 60 percent of a payment period or term. For more information about this policy is available on their website.

Students placed on any type of leave are considered as not enrolled and are reported to the National Student Clearinghouse as withdrawn from JHU. Federal loans will go into repayment after a 6-month grace period (unless the 6-month grace period has been used previously, in which case there is no grace period). All students are evaluated per the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy; students on leave may lapse into Financial Aid Warning or Suspension based on their GPA, completion rate, and/or progress to degree. There is no impact to financial aid eligibility or disbursements during Financial Aid Warning. Students in Financial Aid Suspension may submit a SAP appeal to request aid consideration.

No, unfortunately once the leave is processed by the Registrar you will no longer receive a stipend. It will be reinstated when you return.

It will depend on your scholarship. We recommend speaking with the organization providing the scholarship and with Student Financial Support.

“Leave of Absence.” You may also have Ws on your transcript for leaves that begin after the deadline to drop courses for a semester. Your transcript does not indicate any reason for the leave of absence.

No, your J-Card will be deactivated once your medical leave is processed. You should not be working in your lab or on any other academics while on leave.

No. Any student on any type of leave from the University will not have student privileges which include access to university services or facilities and student employment. This included services such as the Counseling Center, Student Health & Wellbeing, etc.

Your J-Card will also be deactivated.

However, some places like the Sheridan Libraries are open to the public and may be used by anyone, regardless of their affiliation with the university.

Depends on what your question is! Here is a list of helpful contacts:

• Academics: Your advisor or your departmental administrator
• Financial Aid: Student Financial Support
• Housing: Off-Campus Housing
• Medical Referrals / Health Insurance Assistance: Lynell Willis ([email protected])
• Medical: Primary Care
• Counseling: Mental Health Services 
• International Student Visas: Office of International Services
• Additional Questions: Us!