Leave of Absence from the College
Students who plan to interrupt or discontinue enrollment in the College should request a leave of absence (LOA) by taking the following steps:
- Discuss the implications of a leave of absence with a College adviser. International students should consult with the Office of International Affairs
- Make a leave of absence appointment with a dean at the advising reception desk or by calling 773-702-8615
- Complete a Request for Leave or Absence or Withdrawal form and bring it to the LOA appointment
- Notify the Office of Undergraduate Student Housing (if applicable) and prepare to remove all belongings from the residence hall (including storage areas)
- Speak with a counselor in the Office of College Aid about the implications of a leave on current obligations and future financial aid
- Conduct an exit interview with the Office of Student Loan Administration if you are a student loan recipient.
Once granted, a LOA is open-ended and need not be renewed. Some students return after a quarter, while others return having been away for years. One cannot resume studies in the College if a bachelor's degree has been received elsewhere. Students away longer than one year are asked to complete a Resumption of Studies form six weeks before returning.
Health Insurance and LOA
Students participating in the Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan (SASI) at the time a leave is processed may continue coverage under the plan for up to twelve months while on LOA. Application is required through the Chickering Insurance Coordinator in Adm 231 or by calling 773-834-4543. The SASI plan fee is higher for students on leave than for registered students.
SASI plan participants who go on leave for medical reasons may continue coverage at the registered student rate for up to twelve months. They are also eligible to utilize the Student Care Center and Student Counseling and Resource Service, pending payment of the student health and wellness fee.
Enroll in SASI or pay the summer student health and wellness fee.
Students on LOA who do not participate in SASI at the time the leave is processed do not have access to the Student Care Center (SCC) or Student Counseling and Resource Service (SCRS). See below under Facilities Use for more information.
Questions about health insurance or the student health and wellness fee can be sent to healthaffairs@listhost.uchicago.edu.
Facilities Use and LOA
Athletic facilities are available to students on leave of absence for a fee. (Refer to the non-registered student category.)
CAPS resources are generally available to students on LOA.
Library facilities are available for a fee. Consult with a dean during the leave of absence conference about library access.
Student Care Center services are available for up to a year for students participating in the Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan at the time the leave is processed. Students on LOA who are in Hyde Park and require medical services can contact the Primary Care Group at 773-702-0240 for a regular appointment or 773-834-4630 for an urgent care appointment.
Student Counseling and Resource Service is available for up to a year if the student is participating in the Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan at the time the leave is processed. (Students on LOA who are not on the SASI plan and require psychological services can call SRCS at 773-702-9800 for a referral.
The USITE Computing Clusters are closed to students on LOA. E-mail access continues for one calendar year (four quarters). Computer workstations are available at the Regenstein Library to anyone with library access. After one year, all mail files, personal Web pages, and online directory data are deleted.
Graduation and LOA
Students on LOA may graduate in any quarter provided they have met all graduation requirements, informed their College advisers, and submitted a College Degree Application Form by the appropriate deadlines.
Financial Aid and LOA
Students on financial aid should review their awards with the Office of College Aid before taking a leave of absence.
The grace period is six months for Federal Stafford Loans and is nine months for Perkins Loans. Contact Student Loan Administration before leaving campus for an exit interview to discuss loan deferment rules and repayment obligations.
Taking Classes Elsewhere and LOA
Students considering enrollment in another institution while on LOA should discuss their academic plans with a College adviser. The transfer credit Web page provides guidelines for transferring credit back to the University.
Students who receive financial aid from the College use up aid eligibility here when they register for classes full time at another institution, even if no financial aid is received for those classes. Summer study, less-than-half-time study, and course work undertaken abroad are exempt from this rule.
Returning to the College from a LOA (Resumption of Studies)
The deadline for notifying the Dean of Students in the College about resuming studies is six weeks prior to the start of the quarter in which the student intends to return. An e-mail that explains the student's activities while on LOA is sufficient.
Students who intend to resume may also wish to:
- Contact the Office of College Aid six weeks before matriculation to determine financial aid eligibility.
- Contact the Office of Undergraduate Student Housing to reserve a room in a residence hall
- Purchase the Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan (SASI) or pay the summer student health and wellness fee. Questions about health insurance and fees can be directed to: healthaffairs@listhost.uchicago.edu
Students returning from a LOA are permitted to register for classes after holding a resumption of studies conference with their College adviser. This will occur on the first or second day of the quarter.
Note: Students may not resume studies if they have received a bachelor's degree elsewhere.
