Leave of Absence Policy

Background

If you are unable to study, you may consider taking Leave of Absence from your course. You must apply in advance for Leave of Absence in accordance with the University’s policies and procedures.

For the purpose of Title IV Financial Aid, your Leave of Absence is an approved leave of absence if:

• you apply to the International Financial Aid Team prior to the commencement of your Leave of Absence; and
• the duration of the Leave of Absence, together with other Leaves of Absence, does not exceed 180 days in any 12-month period starting from the first day of your initial Leave of Absence; and
• there is a reasonable expectation that you will return from the Leave of Absence.

Failure to return from an approved leave, or taking Leave of Absence that does not meet the requirements for an approved leave is considered a withdrawal by the Department of Education, effective the first day of your Leave of Absence.

The University is required to process Return of Title IV Funds and you must complete the Exit Counselling within 7 days of your Leave of Absence being granted.

Your loan servicer may contact you because the grace period for your loan repayment ends 180 days into your Leave of Absence.  You should discuss with your loan servicer if you are not in the position to start repayment due to taking Leave of Absence for compassionate and compelling reasons.

Coursework students

Applying for leave

Leave of Absence for coursework students is at least one half-year study period in duration. This exceeds 180 days and is therefore classified as an unapproved leave for the purposes of Financial Aid.

If your Leave is granted, we must update your enrolment status with the Department of Education to 'Withdrawn’, effective the final day of the semester in which you were last enrolled.

If we become aware of your Leave of Absence prior to your disbursement date, we cancel your disbursement.  If we become aware of your Leave of Absence after your disbursement date, we process  Return of Title IV Funds.

Return from leave

When your leave has ended, you must complete your re-enrolment and notify the University’s Financial Aid office via email of your return from leave.  We will update your status with the US Department of Education as ‘Enrolled’.

Research students

Applying for leave

Please refer to the University's Leave of Absence web page for information and instructions.

Research students must apply for leave that is at least two weeks in duration. The maximum duration is usually 12 months.

Approved leave

If we reasonably expect that you will return from the Leave of Absence, and the duration of your Leave of Absence together with other Leaves of Absence, does not exceed 180 days in any 12-month period, we will update your enrolment status with the US Department of Education as “Absent” (approved Leave of Absence).

We will change the date of your upcoming disbursement until after your return from Leave has been confirmed.

Return from leave

Please refer to the University's Leave of Absence web page for information and instructions.

When you are due to return from leave, you must submit a Return from Leave form and notify the University’s Financial Aid office via email.  After Faculty approve your Return from Leave form, we will update your enrolment status  with the US Department of Education as 'Enrolled' and process your  disbursement (if applicable).

Failure to return from leave

If you do not return from your Leave of Absence, we will update your enrolment status with the US Department of Education as ‘Withdrawn’ effective from the first day of your leave.

Unapproved leave

If you do not intend to return from your Leave of Absence,  or the duration of your Leave of Absence together with other Leaves of Absence, exceeds 180 days in any 12-month period, we will update your enrolment status with the US Department of Education as ‘Withdrawn’ effective from the first day of your leave.