University of Minnesota  FAQ

Leave of Absence Reinstatement

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Questions?

Please use the contact section in the governing policy.

  1. Are students required to register during the period of an approved leave?

    No. Students do not  register at any time during the period of their college-approved leave of absence.

  2. Are students required to pay tuition and fees while on a leave of absence?

    Tuition and fees will not be charged for the period during which a student is on a college-approved leave of absence.

  3. Are students who are granted a leave of absence eligible for enrollment deferral for repayment of government or private student loans.

    No.

  4. Are the terms of a college-approved leave of absence included in evaluations of degree progress or calculated in degree-completion deadlines?

    No. A college-approved leave of absence is not counted toward a student's time to degree and does not require the student to make degree progress during the period of the leave.

  5. Can students use research or other facilities during an approved leave?

    No. During the period of a college-approved leave of absence, students cannot  use student amenities and services, laboratories, equipment, and other research facilities, nor can  they use the services of faculty or administrative staff, except as may be needed to return to active status.

  6. Can students on a college-approved leave of absence continue their coverage under the Graduate Assistant Health Plan (GAHP) or the Student Health Benefit Plan (SHBP)?

    Eligibility for coverage on each program is contingent on student status. Students no longer eligible for the GAHP have the option of continuing coverage at their own expense for up to 18 months. Students enrolled in the SHBP have continuation options through Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Students should contact the Office of Student Health Benefits for specific details about continuation of coverage options for either program.

  7. Can international students take a leave of absence?

    Yes. However, a leave of absence for international students is subject to SEVIS regulations and requires completion of additional forms. All international students considering a college-approved leave of absence must consult International Student and Scholar Services.

  8. What is a unit's obligation to approve a student leave of absence?

    Units should refer to other relevant University policies regarding leaves for University employees, including graduate assistants. If the student is not a University employee, units are encouraged to make reasonable efforts to accommodate requests for leaves related to illness, death, the birth or adoption of a child, or voluntary military service.

  9. What is a unit's obligation to reinstate a student who has been on a college-approved leave of absence?

    Units should make every effort to reinstate a student following a college-approved leave of absence and should provide appropriate advising to help reintegrate the student to the graduate program.

  10. What happens if a leave of absence occurs during a semester?

    If a student must take a leave of absence during the semester, the student is unenrolled for that semester, loses their tuition and fees for the term, and does  not receive credit for their coursework.

  11. What happens if a leave of absence occurs toward the end of a semester?

    If the leave occurs near the end of a semester, the student can pursue taking Incompletes for courses in accordance with the University’s Grading and Transcripts policy, and follow the policy with respect to completing the courses.  The leave of absence does not affect the timeframe allowed for making up “I” grades.

  12. How are the start- and return-dates for a leave of absence determined?

    Start- and return- dates for college-approved leaves of absence are term specific. The start date is the first day of the term for which the college-approved leave of absence begins – regardless of the timing of the leave request. The return date is the first day of the term immediately following the expiration of the college-approved leave of absence (excluding summer).

  13. Can a student return from an approved leave of absence earlier than the approved date?

    Yes. Graduate students may be reinstated for any term prior to, but no later than, the term immediately following the expiration of the leave (excluding summer). Students must confer with their director/s of graduate studies, advisor/s, and college office/s prior to the expiration of their college-approved leave of absence to discuss the term of their reinstatement, any conditions related to resuming their studies after the leave, and to obtain required signatures of approval. Students must be reminded that leaves of absence are term specific, even in instances of early reinstatement; i.e., the first day of a term is always used to define the leave of absence return-date.

  14. Can a student return from a leave of absence after a semester has already started?

    In general, no; students cannot return after the semester has started and should time their reinstatement accordingly. However, if circumstances preclude this and the student returns within the first two weeks of the semester, reinstatement  may be possible if the student's  advisor/s, director/s of graduate studies, and college/s agree.

  15. What is required for reinstatement from a leave of absence?

    Students with a college-approved leave of absence are eligible for reinstatement if they notify their college via the Leave of Absence Reinstatement Request form prior to the term in which they intend to enroll; they enroll no later than the term immediately following the expired leave (excluding summer); and they return to the same major and degree objective.

  16. Can taking a leave of absence affect student loans, private loans, fellowships, or other financial aid?

    Yes. Students receiving financial aid from the University should talk with their graduate program/s and/or department/s, Graduate Assistant Employment, Student Financial Aid, International Student and Scholar Services, Graduate School Fellowship Office, and/or a One Stop counselor to learn about any effects a leave of absence might have. For funding from a source outside the University, the  agency/ies should be contacted to learn about any effects a leave of absence might have.

  17. How does a leave of absence work for a student who is in a dual (or joint) degree program offered by different colleges?

    As with students pursuing two graduate degrees in two different colleges, students pursuing a Board of Regents-approved dual (joint) degree program offered by two colleges must request a leave of absence from both under the provisions of this policy. If the student is pursuing a graduate degree and a first professional degree (e.g., J.D. or M.D. degree), the student will need to request a leave of absence from the graduate college under the provisions of this policy and will also need to comply with the leave of absence policy stipulated by the college offering the first professional degree.