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Leave of Absence for Graduate Students

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Effective Date: Fall 2026
Last Reviewed: Spring 2026
Last Revised: Fall 2014
Next Review: Fall 2035

Policy Statement

A leave of absence may be granted for graduate students who must be away from their studies.

In agreement with the program area, active graduate students may request a leave of absence for one to three consecutive terms (e.g., fall, spring, summer) for personal, family, financial or other compelling reasons.

The time taken on an approved leave of absence is not included in the time limitations for degree completion and advancement to candidacy, except for programs where accreditation requirements stipulate otherwise (e.g., Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree and certain nursing degrees). Students need to consult with their academic unit for specific details and procedures before requesting a leave of absence.

Prior to applying for a leave of absence, students should consider its potential implications for such matters as funding (including assistantship and veterans’ benefits), loan repayment, immigration status, health insurance, university housing and time-to-degree completion.

International students should contact the College of Honors and Global Education to ensure compliance with immigration regulations and visa restrictions before starting a leave of absence and before returning to campus to ensure compliance with immigration regulations and visa restrictions.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a leave of absence, students must meet all the following requirements:

  • Hold active status as a student; and
  • Admitted to a graduate degree or non-degree program; and
  • Completed a minimum of one full term of enrollment prior to the date the leave is to begin.

Reason for Policy

An approved leave of absence encourages students to develop concrete plans for returning to their studies while not penalizing them by counting the time on leave against their time to degree and by guaranteeing their return to the program at the end of their leave.

Procedures

Requesting a Leave

  • Students requesting a leave of absence should submit the Request for Leave of Absence form before the start of the term for which the leave is requested. A leave of absence will not be granted retroactively for a prior term.
  • Requests for leave of absence are submitted through University College for final approval. For questions regarding specific rationale for leave of absence approval, contact the University College.
  • Students will be notified of the review and decision of requests for leave of absence within 10 working days.
  • Students who received an extension of their degree time limit may need additional approvals.
  • When an academic unit grants a leave of absence, in consultation with their faculty advisor and program coordinator, that unit will be willing to re-enroll the student into their program. A plan for return, including any conditions that must be met, should be put in writing and clearly understood by all parties prior to the start of the leave. If an extension of the leave of absence is requested, a revision to the plan for return is required and understood by all parties.
  • Graduate assistants are required to notify their supervisor and academic unit in a timely manner for a replacement to be arranged as necessary.

Course Registration

Students requesting a leave of absence must drop or withdraw from all courses after the request has been approved and before taking the leave. Course withdrawal does not negate a student’s financial obligation, and students will be held responsible for all balances due to the university. Any applicable refunds will be processed per the university policy regarding tuition credit for dropped courses. Students are advised to check with the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center prior to taking an approved leave of absence to determine the status of their student accounts. Accounts that are overdue will be subject to regular procedures in accordance with university guidelines, notwithstanding any approved leave of absence.

Students applying for a leave of absence after the course withdrawal deadline should address grading and course completion issues with their individual instructors. To consider any variation from this rule for reasons of extenuating circumstances, students must submit a registration exception.

Student Resources

Students on a leave of absence have an inactive student status; therefore, they do not have the rights and privileges of active students, including course pre-registration and use of university resources (i.e., University Library or the recreational and wellness center). They cannot fulfill any official department/school or university requirements during the leave period, such as taking qualifying exams or submitting a thesis or dissertation.

Extension of a Leave of Absence

Students on an approved leave of absence may request an extension for a maximum of one additional term. Although a leave may be taken for as many as three terms, students are encouraged to return to graduate study as soon as is reasonably possible to minimize the impact of the leave on their degree progress.

Returning from a Leave

Students on an approved leave of absence must complete the Application for Graduate Re-Enrollment form to register for classes and have the rights and privileges of registered students.

Students who do not return from a leave of absence within the approved period for which the leave was granted will be considered as having withdrawn from the program. To be reconsidered for graduate study, students must formally apply to their program of interest, including the submission of an application, the nonrefundable application fee and any necessary application materials.

Appealing a Denied Leave of Absence

A leave of absence request may be denied for one of the following reasons:

  • The student failed to follow administrative processes.
  • The student failed to meet one or more eligibility requirements.
  • The student requires use of a university resource that is not be allowed while on leave (i.e., University Library).

Students must submit a Leave of Absence Appeal form within 10 working days with supporting narrative and/or documentation. Appeals will be reviewed by a faculty advisory committee as identified by the University College.

Forms/Instructions

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are the benefits of taking a leave of absence?
    The main benefit of a leave of absence is that the time taken on an approved leave of absence does not count in the time limitations for your degree completion and advancement to candidacy.
  2. Who will know the reason I request a leave of absence?
    The academic unit administrator, college dean (or designee) and the University College will review your leave of absence request but will not share details with other individuals.
  3. I was admitted to a program but cannot begin the program until a later date. Should I take a leave of absence?
    No. Only currently active students are eligible for a leave of absence. Instead, you should contact Admissions to defer enrollment up to one year.

Additional FAQ: Leave of Absence for Graduate Students

Definitions

Academic Unit: College, or a department or school within a college, that offers programs and courses.

Active Student: Student who is eligible to register for classes in each term.

College: Academic organizational division of the university offering courses and curricular programs leading to baccalaureate and advanced degrees, as well as minors and certificates.

Term: Kent State University is on the semester system with three terms for each academic year: fall, spring and summer.

Related Information

Revision History

Amended Fall 2026: Revised policy provides specific guidance for eligibility for requesting a leave of absence; removes health services from the list of services an inactive student cannot access; established a timely response window for requesting a leave; and added language that students in some accredited programs may be held to time limits no matter an approved leave of absence.

Amended Fall 2014: Revised policy aligns with the Enrollment - Graduate policy, with the approved length of time of the absence changing from one year to three consecutive terms with the allowance of an extension of one semester.

Effective Fall 2012: Establishes a formal leave of absence policy and process for graduate students to take a temporary leave (for personal, family, financial and other compelling reasons. Students who take an approved leave are not penalized in that the time spent on leave is not counted against time limitations for degree completion.