Last update: August 2020

Scope of Policy & Rationale

A Leave of Absence (LOA) for up to a total of two consecutive semesters of non-enrollment (summer sessions excluded) is permitted one time during a student’s degree program.

A LOA allows active baccalaureate or associate degree students to interrupt enrollment without having to apply for re-enrollment and without changing the requirements of their degree programs. A degree candidate who does not register for consecutive semesters and is not on a LOA must apply for re-enrollment.

Full-time and part-time degree-seeking undergraduate students who have been registered during the semester immediately prior to the beginning of the proposed semester(s) of absence are eligible to apply for an approved Leave of Absence (LOA). Approved students remain as active, non-enrolled students in university systems.

TUJ Visa-Sponsored students who wish to obtain a Leave of Absence must obtain additional advisement from the Office of Student Services and Engagement (OSSE).

New students who wish to defer enrolling in their first semester are not eligible for a Leave of Absence and instead must arrange through the Office of Student Services and Engagement (OSSE) to defer the semester they begin their studies.

Students who have a commuter pass on student discount and wish to obtain a Leave of Absence must obtain additional advisement from the Facility and General Affairs.

Definitions

A Leave of Absence (LOA) is an approved request for up to two consecutive semesters of non-enrollment (summer sessions excluded).

Policy Statement

A LOA may be filed through the end of the drop/add period of any given semester. Any extension of the LOA from one semester to two semesters needs to be filed before the end of the semester of the initial LOA. Under special circumstances, exceptions to the duration of a LOA or additional LOA’s may be considered, but, if granted, some of the privileges listed below may not be preserved.

Courses taken at other colleges or universities during the LOA period, or taken between two consecutive LOA semesters, may not be used for transfer credit at Temple University.

Students granted LOA retain their admitted student status and remain eligible for the following privileges:

• Retention of the academic program requirements in place at the time of their matriculation at Temple, including the requirements in place at the time they declared their major, concentration, minor and/or certificate.
• Temple email access.
• Priority registration for the semester of return.
• Library access and borrowing privileges.
• Access to TUJ Career Development Office.

Students on a LOA are not considered registered students and, as non-enrolled students, are not eligible for:

• Financial aid disbursements, including work study funds, during the semesters while on LOA. Students on a LOA are reported to lenders and loan servicing agencies as “not enrolled” and should contact lenders for information on possible repayment requirements.
• Student employment.
• Enrollment verification. Students on LOA are reported as “not enrolled,” which could affect eligibility for health insurance and other programs and services.
• On-Campus Housing.
• Programs requiring continuous enrollment or academic progress.

Students may return earlier than the original return date by registering for courses, keeping in mind applicable deadlines for registration, financial aid, etc.

Students who do not return from their LOA on the expected return date, or those students who ceased enrollment without a LOA, must submit an application for re-enrollment to their schools/colleges in order to continue their coursework. These students must follow the most current requirements for their schools/colleges, majors, and the university.

Students taking an approved medical withdrawal (WE) in a current semester are not considered to be on LOA.

How to Apply

Currently enrolled undergraduate students can access the Leave of Absence application in TUportal by following the steps below.

1. Using your TUportal login, sign into the Leave of Absence app New Tab to apply for a Leave of Absence.
2. Follow the prompts to complete the Leave of Absence request.
3. Upon successful submission, you will receive an email confirmation with instructions for returning to Temple at the conclusion of your leave.

Graduate and professional students cannot presently use the Leave of Absence app and should contact their program coordinator.

FAQ for Leave of Absence

Who can and cannot use the online Leave of Absence application in TUportal?

All students can access the application; however, the ability to apply via TUportal varies based on individual student record. Ineligible students will receive an appropriate message explaining why they cannot use the online application.

What are the deadlines for applying for a Leave of Absence?

The deadlines differ for Main Campus and Temple Japan (TUJ) students. The application informs the students of the deadline under the heading Dates to Apply By. The application strictly adheres to the deadline dates.

How will the system work for students whose registration remains for the semester in which they are planning to take a Leave of Absence?

In this case, the student will not be able to request a Leave of Absence unless all courses are dropped for the leave term. Once the student drops all of their courses, they will then be able to request a Leave of Absence. If a student is on a Leave of Absence and registers for the same term, the Leave of Absence for that and future terms will be cancelled automatically and the student will be notified by email.

Is there something different for students who must take a leave of absence for military deployment?

Students can apply online and select Military as a reason for the leave, and provide the deployment dates. If the deployment dates extend the permitted leave period, Office of the University Registrar will send the students a follow-up email with instructions on how-to submit the deployment papers to support the extended leave.

How long will it take to approve a Leave of Absence?

Approval is near real-time; however, TUJ Visa-Sponsored students who wish to obtain a Leave of Absence must obtain additional advisement from the Office of Student Services and Engagement (OSSE).

Where can students check the status of their Leave of Absence?

The status for Leave of Absence can be found in the Enrollment Services Dashboard:

1. Sign into TUportal New Tab.
2. Under the TUapplications heading, click Enrollment Services.
3. In Enrollment Services, click Dashboard.