International Student Leave of Absence

Choosing not to enroll in classes for a period of time is known as a Leave of Absence. You must make an appointment with the International Student Advisor in order to do this.

A leave of absence is not for students with medical conditions. Students wishing to take fewer classes or no classes entirely due to medical issues must apply for Medical Reduced Courseload.

Restrictions

• International students may NOT take a time off during the regular semester and remain in the United Statest. F-1 and J-1 students present in the US must be enrolled for a full course load or pre-approved reduced course load with appropriate documentation for one of the allowable reasons (medical or academic).
• If you are outside of the United States for five months or fewer, it might be possible to return on the same SEVIS record. If you are gone more than five months, it is not possible to return on the same SEVIS record. You will need a new I-20 issued, a new I-901 fee paid, and you must enter the US as a new student on an initial SEVIS record. If you enter on a new SEVIS record, you will not be eligible for OPT or CPT for another year.
  • If you complete the Spring semester, then summer break does NOT count toward your five month absence period because your SEVIS record will not be terminated until the start of the fall semester. The five-month period begins the day your SEVIS record is terminated. If you leave before completing the Spring semester, then your SEVIS record will be terminated immediately and summer break will count toward your five months.

• If you withdraw from classes (either before or after the semester starts), you must depart the United States within 15 days. If you will leave during a break and have not yet registered for classes, you should depart within 15 days of the beginning of the next semester. You need to calculate your departure and return trips carefully if you wish to return on the same SEVIS record and I-20. If you withdraw from classes, please make sure you have consulted with the Registrar’s office as well as student accounts about your refund. You must withdraw early in order to get a full refund.

• If you return to the United States from a leave of absence (whether more or fewer than five months), you are not allowed to enter the US more than 30 days before classes begin, even if your visa is still valid. When calculating a return date to the US, you should also factor in the five month rule so as not to be gone more than five months if you wish to return on the same SEVIS record.

Request Leave of Absence

Complete either the Mandatory Military Service Form or the Leave of Absence Form and submit it to the International Center at least two weeks before you plan to leave. If you are enrolled in courses, you should submit the Cancellation/Withdrawal Form for the semester you plan to be absent.

Academic Standing

If you are on probation when you take a semester off, you will continue on probation during their first semester back. If you require a probation contract through the Provost’s Office, you will need to have a signed contract on file with the Provost’s Office before being allowed to re-enroll. If you have been suspended and return home, you must have an approved appeal on file before being re-admitted. Discuss this with your academic advisor before you decide to take a semester off.

If you are currently on probation and want to withdraw after classes have started, you have to check the drop dates set by the Registrar’s Office. Don’t forget that a grade of "WF" is calculated as a 0.0 and affects your semester GPA as well as the conditions of your probationary status. Just because you withdraw from all classes doesn’t guarantee that you will not have a negative semester GPA. If your academic standing goes from "probation" to "suspended" after you withdraw and leave the US, you may not be allowed to return to the University without an appeal approved by the Academic Standards Committee.

Tuition & Fees

If you owe money, you will not be able enroll after a leave of absence until you have paid all tuition, fees, and loans. If a student leaves the US with an outstanding balance, you must have it paid off before your SEVIS record will be reactivated or a new I-20 issued.

You may not be refunded 100% of their semester tuition and fees depending on the time of the semester that they withdraw. Students with extenuating circumstances may appeal for more of a refund than is standard by submitting the Enrollment Fees Appeal Form and any supporting documentation. Even students with an approved appeal or who withdraw before the semester starts may need to pay a portion of their student health insurance so that they are covered until they depart the US.

Returning After a Leave