Leaves of Absence | Medical Leave | Leave for Military Duty | Re-enrollment | Withdrawal from a Semester in Progress
Students sometimes perform below their abilities because of burdensome personal or family problems. In such cases, taking a leave of absence or withdrawing can have a salutary effect on a student's academic performance. Students who wish to withdraw from a term in progress, cancel registration for an upcoming term for which they have already registered, or take a planned leave of absence must consult with their GS academic advisors and complete the Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form. Failure to complete this form in a timely fashion can have financial as well as academic consequences.
Depending on the date of a student's withdrawal, loan funds already received by the student may need to be returned to the lender. Federal grant awards such as FSEOG, Pell, and GS scholarships may also be decreased. Students who withdraw should contact Student Financial Planning in 202 Kent Hall to find out the status of their student account.
LEAVES
OF ABSENCE
Leaves of absence for up to one year are granted to students who anticipate returning to Columbia to complete their studies. Students must notify their advisors and complete the required paperwork for a leave at least one week prior to the start of the term. Failure to file a Leave of Absence and Withdrawal form in the Dean of Students Office can have academic as well as financial consequences and may lead to being dropped from the rolls of the School.
See the Re-enrollment section for information on re-enrollment procedures.
MEDICAL LEAVE
When students are faced with health issues that have a negative impact on course attendance or class preparation, they are urged to consult with their GS advisors to discuss taking a medical leave of absence from the university. Students who are hospitalized during term time or who miss class for more than two weeks due to health issues are advised to take a medical withdrawal from the term in progress. Doctors at University Health Services (UHS) as well as counselors at the Office of Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) can also help students evaluate whether a medical leave is advisable.
In exceptional cases, when there is sufficient information to suggest that as a result of physical or psychological illness, a student is engaging in or is likely to engage in behavior that could lead to injury to self or other, the Dean of Students, in consultation with UHS, CPS, and the Office of Public Safety, may place a student on an involuntary leave of absence for reasons of personal or community safety.
LEAVE FOR MILITARY DUTY
Any student who is a member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the armed forces of the United States or of the state-organized militia and is called or ordered to active duty will be granted a military leave of absence for the period of active duty and for one year thereafter.
Upon return from military leave of absence, the student will be restored to the educational status attained prior to being called or ordered to such duty without loss of academic credits earned, scholarships or grants awarded, or tuition or other fees paid prior to the commencement of active duty. The University will credit any tuition or fees paid for the period of the military leave of absence to the next enrollment period or will refund the tuition and fees paid to the student, at the student's option.
Students in need of a military leave of absence should contact their advisor in the Dean of Students Office.
RE-ENROLLMENT
Students must apply for re-enrollment through the Dean of Students Office within three years of the end of their last completed semester at GS. Students granted re-enrollment must return to Columbia the next semester and complete that term to maintain their academic status at GS. For example, if a student's last completed semester before taking a leave of absence is spring 2006, that student will have until spring term 2009 to apply for re-enrollment. Completed re-enrollment petitions are due by July 15 to register for fall term courses, December 1 for spring term courses, and May 1 for summer session courses.
Normally students who have withdrawn from the School are not allowed to resume their studies with summer session enrollment. Students who have not petitioned for re-enrollment during the three-year time frame will lose their academic status at GS and will need to reapply formally through the Admissions Office.
WITHDRAWAL
FROM A SEMESTER IN PROGRESS
Circumstances occasionally require that a student withdraw from a semester in progress. Withdrawal means dropping all courses in a given term, as opposed to dropping a portion of the program. Withdrawal from a term in progress may have serious financial and academic consequences, and thus students should meet with their GS academic advisors so that they can make an informed decision. All withdrawals are noted on a student's transcript. Multiple withdrawals may lead to suspension or dismissal from the School for failure to make academic progress.
Students must notify their GS advisors of their intention to withdraw and must complete a withdrawal form. Notifying instructors or failing to attend classes does not constitute formal withdrawal. A student's tuition may be prorated depending on the date of the written notification of the withdrawal. (For a withdrawal refund schedule see Tuition and Fees.)
Students who desire to return to GS after withdrawal are required at the time of re-enrollment to submit a petition including a personal statement concerning how they have addressed the circumstances that caused them to withdraw. Students must submit this petition to their GS academic advisors by the date specified on the form relevant to the term that they wish to return. Petitions for re-enrollment are reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing chaired by the Dean of Students.
Students who withdraw from their studies after the eleventh week of the semester or for medical reasons are not allowed to return for at least six months (a minimum of one semester, not including the summer session), to allow time to address the situation that led to the withdrawal.
Students who do not return to their studies within three years will need to reapply formally to the School through the Admissions Office.