Standard Student Leave of Absence
When a student initiates a student leave of absence from the university prior to the end of Period Two (the 10th week of classes during a standard 16 week semester) at a minimum the following steps are required:
Minimum Steps Required to Leave the University | ||
| Contact/meet with the primary academic advisor to discuss the Student Leave of Absence. | ||
Initiate a Student Leave of Absence request in Workday.
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| International Students must also meet with an advisor in the International Students and Scholars Office prior to submitting the Student Leave of Absence request. | ||
| If the Student Leave of Absence request is approved, the student is eligible to return to the university for a future term with the same academic status that the student held at the beginning of the Leave of Absence term. | ||
| Late-term Leave of Absence (Period Three): the student must provide documentation establishing an “extenuating circumstance” that prevents the student from fulfilling their academic responsibilities. | ||
Details
Standard Leave of Absence is defined as dropping all classes for the current term after the semester/session has begun. Students who are considering a leave of absence from the university should immediately consult their academic advisor to discuss reasons for the leave of absence and alternatives. The leave of absence procedures established by the Office of the Registrar must be followed otherwise course instructors will assign grades or marks they consider appropriate. Since these grades may be F’s, students are advised that failure to follow the prescribed leave of absence procedures may adversely affect their academic record.
Standard Leave of Absence occurs in three periods during the typical 16 week fall and spring terms.
- Period One – First 5 days of fall or spring semester, week 1.
- Period Two – Weeks 2 – 10.
- Period Three – Weeks 11 – 15.
Period Three Leave of Absence are granted only for circumstances beyond the student’s control that impact the ability to remain enrolled and complete academic responsibilities. (Examples include, but are not limited to, personal trauma, family emergencies, legal difficulties, etc.) Period Three leave of absence requires a petition to the college of the student’s primary major requesting permission to leave. Undergraduate students on probation who withdraw during Period Three will be subject to academic dismissal at the end of the term.
Finals Week - Students should not expect to leave during Finals Week
Additional Considerations for Standard Leave of Absence
Before leaving the university, a student should carefully consider all the potential effects of such a leave of absence. Considerations should include, but are not limited to:
- The student is withdrawn from all courses based on the leave of absence date on the request, and tuition and fees are adjusted, if appropriate, according to established policies approved by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. See http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/fees/tuition-adj. Questions about tuition assessments should be directed to the Office of the Registrar.
- Students utilizing Financial Aid who leave should consult with the Office of Student Financial Aid before completing the leave of absence process to discuss the impact it will have on the student’s financial aid obligations. Federal regulations and university policy may require the repayment of a portion of the financial aid funds the student received.
- Graduate students’ tuition, assistantship and fellowship support may be impacted by a leave of absence.
- Students who receive Veterans Benefits, may be required to repay all or a portion of the tuition benefits they received for the term.
- Students living in on-campus housing or who have a campus meal plan, may be responsible for prorated housing and dining charges based on the date of their leave of absence.
- Students who leave are also responsible for charges assessed for any products and services associated with their enrollment, such as text books, health insurance, athletic tickets, etc. Students should consult with Accounts Receivable to determine the amount owed to the university at the time of their leave of absence.
- Students who develop a pattern of leave of absence (for example, a student submitting a Period Three leave request for two consecutive semesters, or leaving repeatedly each Spring semester) may have a Dean of Students Office Hold (R) placed on their record by the college at the time of their leave of absence. This is part of the university’s commitment to the student’s academic success. Working with the Dean of Students Office is designed to guide students to more sustainable and productive academic and personal success strategies, and reduce the likelihood of a continued pattern of academic difficulty.
Iowa State University will review a request for tuition and fee refund provided you meet the requirements of the Tuition and Fee Appeal policy.
Student Leave of Absence Policy
Student Leave of Absence Terminology
Roles and Responsibilities
Tuition Appeal