Student Leave of Absence (LOA) Best Practices*

1. When considering a Leave of Absence (LOA) it is required that you consult first with the following administrators so that you will know how this will impact you academically, financially and from a program completion perspective. Each will initial your form after your meeting. Director of Student Services Determining of LOA eligibility Program Dean or Academic Dean Impact to program Financial Aid Director Disclosure Statement 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. You must request an LOA in writing by submitting the LOA Request Form (page 2), a written letter, email or other method. The LOA Request Form is the preferred method. The LOA request must state the reason you are seeking the LOA and the date it is to start. Also include the date or term you plan to return. Sign and date the form. Financial Aid must sign off on the Disclosure Statement (page 3) An LOA request must be for extenuating circumstances (military duty, severe illness, death in the immediate family, pregnancy, etc.) If an LOA is requested for other circumstances not listed in the schools catalog (transportation issues, childcare, etc.), approval or denial is at the Campus Directors discretion. Be as thorough as possible in explaining your rationale for needing an LOA. The maximum length of a single LOA can be no longer than one 20-week semester starting from the LOA start date as stated on the students written request. If you are approved for an LOA prior to Week 5 of the term you will receive a W (Withdrawal) grade for your classes. LOAs filed after Week 5 will result in a failing grade in the classes.

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* For details refer to your school catalog which is always your primary source of information.

Leave of Absence Request Form

In accordance with the Universitys academic policy, a student may request a Leave of Absence (LOA) for extenuating circumstances only, which include military duty, severe illness, death in the immediate family, and pregnancy. Under most circumstances, an LOA will not be approved for more than one semester. Completing this form does not guarantee that your LOA request will be approved. Once this form is completed and you have met with the appropriate parties, return this form to Student Services. Student Name: Program: Reason for Leave of Absence: Student ID: Degree:

LOA Start Date:

LOA End Date:

I attest that the above explanation is true and correct, and I understand that my LOA request may be denied based on the Universitys LOA policy. I also understand that if my LOA is approved, failure to return on the scheduled return date (assigned by the University) will result in my termination from the program. Signature: Student Counseling Checklist (all appropriate administrators must initial): Program Dean __________ For Office Use: Program: _________________ LDA: _____________ Return Date: ______________ Financial Aid __________ Student Services _________ Date:

Revised Estimated Graduation Date: _____________________ Academic Deans Signature: __________________________ Campus Directors Signature: __________________________ LOA Request Approved by Campus Director: Yes Date: ____________ Date: ____________

No

Please explain in detail: 1) Why LOA was denied OR 2) Why approved for reason other than military duty, severe illness, death in immediate family, or pregnancy: __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________

Leave of Absence Disclosure to Student

Name: _________________________________ Occasionally, extenuating circumstances arise that require students to interrupt their program of study. Depending on the situation or length of time, students may be granted a leave of absence (LOA) of up to one 20-week semester. Students who find it necessary to take an LOA must submit a written request and obtain a preliminary approval in writing from the appropriate academic administrator and a final approval in writing from the campus Executive Director. The request must outline the extenuating circumstances and duration of the LOA. It is understood that upon approval of the requested leave of absence (LOA) that the following will occur.
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If a student begins a leave of absence after the add/drop deadline or before completion of the course, the student will be considered withdrawn from the course for satisfactory academic progress purposes. The course from which the student took leave will be considered as attempted and not completed. An institutional leave of absence is not considered an official leave of absence under federal Title IV regulations. When a student takes an institutional leave of absence, the student will be considered ineligible for Title IV purposes A return to Title IV calculation will be done and the student will be reported to his lender as less than half time enrolled The time on a leave of absence will be counted against the six month grace period for entering repayment on the federal financial aid loans The student will enter repayment, if the student does not return from leave within six months. Any active deferments will require repayment during the requested LOA start/end date. Financial impact may occur in the event that the leave of absence commences after add/drop period and/or before the completion of a semester.

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Signature

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