Undergraduate Leave of Absence

Any student who requires time off from their academic program for personal or medical reasons, but who intends to return to the University within the next term, may request a leave of absence. A student may request a leave of absence by completing an Application for Leave of Absence form, available in the Office of Student Affairs. Graduate students, please see the Graduate Leave of Absence tab. Students applying for a leave of absence for personal reasons must request the leave prior to the last day of the first week of classes. Students are limited to one leave during their time at Elmhurst University. This leave is not to exceed 180 days. A student on a leave of absence is responsible for meeting their financial obligations to the University.

New students who have registered for classes but who have withdrawn from all their courses prior to the sixth day of class in the Fall or Spring terms may not take a leave of absence. They should contact the Office of Admission to discuss deferring their admission.

Process for Requesting a Leave of Absence

1. Office of Student Affairs: Meet with the Director of Student Support Services and Intervention to complete the Application for Leave of Absence.

2. Office of Student Financial Services: Meet with Student Financial Services to protect future eligibility for scholarships, grants and/or student loans and regarding outstanding balances to a student account.

3. Office of Registration and Records: Meet with Office of Registration and Records to discuss the implications of interrupting enrollment.

Communication with Students on Leave of Absence

All students are expected to check their Elmhurst University email address in a timely fashion while on leave. All official communication from Elmhurst University faculty and staff will continue to be sent to a student’s Elmhurst University email address.

When a request for a leave of absence is approved, the student will receive a letter from the Office of Student Affairs outlining the process and procedure.

Returning from a Leave of Absence

All undergraduate students returning from any type of leave of absence must complete a re-entry form before registering for classes and returning to Elmhurst University. The re-entry form can be obtained through the Office of Student Affairs. Re- entry forms must be completed no later than 6 weeks prior to the first day of classes. Students should meet with their advisor prior to re-entry to discuss course selection and a plan to return for the upcoming term. In some cases, a meeting with the Office of Student Affairs will also be required.

If the student whose leave is approved does not return at the end of one term, the student will automatically be withdrawn from the University, with the withdrawal date being the date that the student began the leave of absence. Any outstanding account balance is immediately due in full.

Students that have not attended another college since leaving Elmhurst University and have been enrolled at Elmhurst University within the last 5 years can submit the Program Reinstatement form found on the Office of Registration and Records website. Students that do not meet these requirements should re-apply through the Office of Admission.