Leave of Absence Requests
Leaves of absence are approved academic interruptions due to a personal situation that impacts a student's ability to remain on campus and complete the semester. No tuition or fees are charged while on leave.
Leaves of absence may be requested for medical reasons or non-medical reasons such as personal or financial hardship, military service, or other personal reasons. The process for requesting leave is initiated via different channels depending on whether or not it is medical.
Before you begin your request, read the university's full LOA information and policy and ensure you are aware of the expectations and impacts of leave on your access to university resources (e.g. housing, financial support, insurance, work-study, etc.)
Voluntary Leave of Absence
Request time away from campus for personal reasons including military service, full-time internships, personal or financial hardship, or to address physical or mental health concerns.
LOAs are administered through University Student Affairs. The process differs slightly depending on whether your LOA is for a personal or medical reason.
Required Leave of Absence
Very rare instances where the University requires a student to take an LOA due to imminent threats to self or others.
Voluntary Leave of Absence for Personal Reasons
Students may be granted a leave of absence in the event that they have a non-medical personal situation that will not allow them to concurrently balance their academic work. Leaves of Absence are administered through the University. No tuition or fees are charged while on leave. If applicable, students should consult with the Office of Financial Aid prior to requesting a leave of absence. Students may not be eligible for health benefits if enrolled through JHU’s Student Health Benefits.
Requesting Leave
How to request a Voluntary Leave of Absence for personal reasons
Submission Instructions
- Contact your professional academic advisor to discuss your LOA. You are required to confirm that you have discussed your LOA with your academic advisor when you submit the leave request form.
- Read the full university LOA information and policy and ensure you are aware of the expectations and impacts of leave on your access to university resources (e.g. housing, financial support, insurance, work-study, etc.)
- Obtain/create the required documentation depending on the reason for your request:
- Personal or Family Hardship or other Personal or Academic Reason: a statement signed by the student attesting to the specific nature of the hardship or articulating the need for the LOA.
- Military Service: a letter or verification from the Armed Forces of the relevant country
- Complete the University Leave Request Form. The form requires information including your reason for leave, anticipated dates of leave, housing status, and other student status and demographic information. You must also attach your signed personal statement or military verification.
The submitted form will be reviewed by the university and students will be informed of approval or disapproval in writing.
During Leave
While on an LOA, the student’s account and record are on hold and will reopen for the semester they are set to return.
During a leave of absence, students may not enroll in another institution for the purpose of transferring credits back to JHU. It is assumed that an LOA is taken because the student is not able to balance academic work with whatever situation needs attention during the time away.
Read the expectations of students on leave to ensure you are in compliance with the requirements.
Returning from Leave
Prior to your anticipated term of return, please contact your professional academic advisor and indicate that you are ready to come back. You will meet with your advisor to discuss what courses you should enroll, and they will release the Advisor Hold in SIS. You should check for the date of registration at the Registrar’s website.
If necessary, contact Financial Aid, Residential Life, and/or the Office of International Services to prepare for the semester.
A student’s academic status at JHU will remain in effect upon returning from an LOA (i.e. if a student is on academic probation before taking the LOA, they will be on probation when they return).
Students who fail to return to the university when expected, and who have not communicated otherwise, will be considered to have withdrawn from the university.
Voluntary Leave of Absence for Medical Reasons
A Leave of Absence (LOA) for medical reasons is a temporary break from enrollment to allow students to devote their attention to medical treatment when their need for care prevents them from being able to be a successful student. LOAs for medical reasons are administered through the Office of Student Outreach and Support.
Before you begin your request, read the full university LOA information and policy.
Requesting Leave
How to request a Leave of Absence for medical reasons
Submission Instructions
- Make an appointment with a case manager in the office of Student Outreach and Support to discuss your LOA request.
- Read the full university LOA information and policy and and ensure you are aware of the expectations and impacts of leave on your access to university resources (e.g. housing, financial support, insurance, work-study, etc.)
- Have a licensed mental health or primary care (or specifically relevant specialty care) provider complete the JHU required Provider Form with information on the dates, impacts, and treatment plan for your medical condition.
- Complete the University Leave Request Form. The form requires information including your reason for leave, anticipated dates of leave, housing status, and other student status and demographic information. You must also attach the completed Provider Form.
The submitted form will be reviewed by the university and students will be informed of approval or disapproval in writing. Any questions about preparing and submitting your request should be directed to your case manager in the office of Student Outreach and Support.
During Leave
While on an LOA, the student’s account and record are on hold and will reopen for the semester they are set to return.
During a leave of absence, students may not enroll in another institution for the purpose of transferring credits back to JHU. It is assumed that an LOA is taken because the student is not able to balance academic work with whatever situation needs attention during the time away.
Read the expectations of students on leave to ensure you are in compliance with the requirements.
Required Leave of Absence
Read more about required Leaves of Absence, appeals, and reinstatements in the full university LOA information and policy.