Leave of Absence

A Leave of Absence (LOA/leave) is time allowed away from school to cover special circumstances in a student’s life. The college understands that sometimes other things come up for students that need to take priority for a time so that when a student returns to school, they are better able to focus on their studies. An LOA may be granted for a variety of reasons including serious medical conditions, military commitments, or unexpected or even planned personal experiences.

A Leave of Absence is a period of time during which a student is not enrolled in school but intends to re-enroll. To decide if an LOA is the right choice, students should understand what the leave entails by getting answers to questions before a final decision is made to leave school. Some things to consider include: What happens to work completed prior to the leave? How does taking an LOA impact financial aid? What are the requirements for taking the leave and for returning to school? How long will the leave be granted?

Answers to these and other questions can help ensure students that taking a Leave of Absence is an aid to returning to school refocused, refreshed, and remotivated! For more information, students should visit with their instructor or department head, review the college’s Leave of Absence policy 600.620, and if applicable, consult with the financial aid office, too.