Leave of Absence

Student Leave of Absence Procedure

A student in good academic and social standing may be granted a Leave of Absence for up to two semesters. (Good standing includes the status at the end of the semester prior to the leave.) The student must have definite plans to return to DePauw within one year. A leave can be granted for many non-medical reasons, such as study or research purposes, personal/family issues. The benefit of the Leave of Absence policy is primarily for registration, financial aid and housing purposes. In addition, the student will continue to have access to e-mail and Student e-Services (advising transcript and searchable schedule of classes). The Registrar and Vice President of Student Affairs give final approval for each leave.

Note:

• Although students may be off two semesters, the grace period for student loan repayment begins after one semester’s absence.

• Students who are taking a leave of absence are held to the same behavioral standards as current students while on a leave.

• A leave of absence is not for medical reasons. If you need to leave for medical reasons please check out the medical withdrawal process and/or contact the CARE Team.

Process for Requesting a Leave of Absence

1. International Student Affairs: International students should contact International Student Affairs before completing this request and to receive further instructions on updating their immigration record for the requested Leave.
2. Office of the Registrar: If you have any questions about the process of taking a Leave of Absence, or questions about transfer credits if you plan to to study at another U.S. college during their leave. The Office of the Registrar is located in the Julian Science and Mathematics Center, 2 E. Hanna Street. You can contact them via email at registrarsoffice@depauw.edu,  or by phone at 765-658-4141.
3. Complete the Application for Leave of Absence (see below).
4. Financial Aid Office: If you have loans, you must also complete a loan exit interview with a representative from the Financial Aid Office. If you have loans and plan to enroll in another school, you must have the other school complete an in-school deferment form. The Financial Aid Office is located at 204 E. Seminary St. You can contact them via email at financialaid@depauw.edu, or by phone at 765-657-4030.
5. Payment Services Office: Contact the Payment Services Office to pay any outstanding balance on your account. The Payment Services Office is located at 204 E. Seminary St., or you can contact them by email at paymentservices@depauw.edu, or by phone at 765-658-4015

Processing a Leave of Absence

After consulting with the Student Affairs Office, the Office of the Registrar notifies campus offices of the Leave of Absence by placing the student's name on the withdrawal list. The withdrawal list will provide ‘Leave of Absence’ and the length of leave. The student is changed to a special status (such as ‘V’) after grades are produced. [The ‘V’ status indicates the student plans to return to DePauw within one or two semesters.] This status is significant for housing, registration and financial aid (loans, scholarships, etc.) purposes. The student's name is placed on the readmit list for the semester they plan to return as a pending readmit (meaning the name is placed on the list for tracking purposes but notification is not sent to campus offices until the student verifies they are returning).

Returning from a Leave of Absence

It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of the Registrar of their intent to return.

For the request to be reviewed, it is required that the Leave of Absence Return form be complete and include all the necessary information by the deadlines stated below.

• For Semester I (Fall and Winter terms) ... July 1
  For Semester II (Spring and May terms) ... Dec. 1

1. The student completes the Leave of Absence Return form. It is to the student’s advantage to complete the process prior to registration for that term however; as the form must be received before the student may register for classes or arrange for University housing. The form is available on the Web and in the Office of the Registrar.
2. The Registrar, in consultation with the Vice President of Student Affairs or designee, processes the form and notifies the student that they are approved to return. The student must have met all financial obligations to the University before returning.
3. If the student studied elsewhere, an official transcript and the Dean of Students Recommendation (form available in the registrar’s office) are required prior to taking formal action.
4. The Office of the Registrar notifies the student and campus offices of the returning student.

The student contacts:

• Their advisor for the RAC number for registration.
• Housing and Residence Life or the president of their fraternity/sorority for housing arrangements.
• The Financial Aid Office, if appropriate.
• The Payment Services Office. Any unpaid balance due on the student's account must be resolved before their return to DePauw University.

If the student decides not to return to DePauw, they need to notify the Office of the Registrar.  If nothing is heard from the student by the beginning of the semester of intended return, the student’s status will be changed to a regular withdrawal.

Your Information

Information About Your Leave