• Leave of Absence Policy
• Leave of Absence Petition Form
• Frequently Asked Questions

 

	LOA Policy Effective September 24, 2012
Types	Family obligations (parenting), medical, emergency, military, outside employment
Eligibility	Completed at least one quarter of academic residence and be in good academic standing (GPA of 3.0) to be granted a leave
Duration	Maximum of 3 quarters
Exceptions	Duration over 3 quarters. Exceptions will be considered for additional quarters or for reasons outside those listed.
Extensions	An extension cannot exceed 3 total quarters. If a student initially applied for 1 quarter and wants to add an additional 1 or 2 quarters, they may apply for an extension. Exceptional cases that require an extension beyond the 3 quarter limit may be approved; such approval is at the discretion of an Associate Dean or the Dean of the Graduate Division.
Not Allowed in Policy	Students using more than 12 hours of university time (faculty and facilities) Retroactive for anything besides medical (student must provide documentation). Financial hardship. Any research (examination, thesis/dissertation preparation).
Deadlines	By the end of the 2nd week of class
Procedure	The student completes the form and then obtains signatures from the chair/advisor and GD Financial Services staff. The student then submits the completed form to GD Academic Services.
Visa Req's	Must get approval from DCISS
Health Insurance	Nonregistered voluntary UC SHIP is available to students on official LOA. Students must complete an enrollment application with Wells Fargo Insurance Services. For more voluntary UC SHIP information, students can contact Wells Fargo Insurance Services at (800) 853-5899.
Fees/Refunds	Refund calculations are based on calendar days, beginning with first day of instruction. The effective date for determining a refund of fees is the date the completed form is submitted to GD. 100% refund if student meets deadline.
Suspended Services/ Privileges	Financial support (fellowships, financial aid, grants); university employment; metro bus pass; parking privileges
Continued Services	Can use the library with a fee.
Housing	Residents can take up to one quarter on a leave of absence.  If the leave is longer they need to leave housing and then re-apply when they return.  Exceptions may be made for medical issues.

Excerpted from Standards and Procedures.

1. Leave of Absence Request (iPDF-797KB)
   Use this form to request a leave of absence or an extension of a current leave of absence from graduate study at UCLA.
    

I have lapsed status:

1. What is lapsed status?
   
   1. It happens when a student is not enrolled for classes, registered in absentia, on an approved leave of absence, or for the final quarter, on filing fee status. Please contact your department on how to restore your status either by applying for readmission or retroactively enrolling.
       
2. I need to apply for readmission. Can I get an application fee waiver?
   
   1. No. Fee waivers are only available for new applicants.
       
3. I need to apply for readmission. Do I need to pay non-resident tuition and professional fees in addition to registration fees?
   
   1. Fees continue to be based on where the students are in the program. If a student has advanced to candidacy, s/he has 9 quarters of eligibility to not pay non-resident tuition.
       
4. I forgot to submit the leave of absence petition for last quarter. Can I submit it late?
   
   1. No. The Graduate Division only accepts retroactive leave of absence petitions for medical emergencies and the petition must include a doctor’s note.
       

I am currently on an approved leave of absence:

1. Do I need to start repaying my loans?
   
   1. Loan repayment can be deferred for 6 months after a student graduates or drops below part time enrollment. For students whose leave of absence extends beyond six months, loans will enter repayment. There are forbearance options that students may avail themselves of at that point (ex: forbearance based on unemployment) but this is not an automated process and the student would be required to contact the servicer of his or her loan to find out what options are available.
       
2. Can I pay a filing fee next quarter?
   
   1. No, you must register upon returning from an official leave of absence.
       
3. Do I have health insurance?
   
   1. You can request voluntary UC Ship while you are on leave.
       

I plan to…

1. work closely with a professor this quarter but I won’t be taking any classes. Can I apply for an LOA?
   
   1. If you are using more than 12 hours of university time, including working with a professor, you are not allowed to be on an official leave.
       
2. write my dissertation. Can I go on LOA?
   
   1. No. You must be either registered or registered in absentia. Or you can withdraw from the university and apply for readmission when you are ready to resume your study at UCLA.
       
3. go on a leave of absence for financial reasons. Is this allowed?
   
   1. You cannot take an official leave of absence for financial reasons. You can withdraw and apply for readmission when you are ready to resume your studies, if readmitted to your program.
       
4. take additional quarters of LOA, but I already took 3 quarters of LOA before the policy change. Can I still get 3 more?
   
   1. No. Effective Fall 2012, you must follow the new policy, regardless of your situation before the policy took effect. However, a truly exceptional case may be reviewed.
       
5. continue into a doctoral program next fall after completing my master's thesis or comp exam this spring. Can I go on LOA for the spring and use a filing fee?
   
   1. No. If you are completing your thesis or taking a comp exam you must be registered or on filing fee.
       
6. go on Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Can I take a leave?
   
   1. No. F-1 students requesting CPT must be registered. For more information please visit www.internationalcenter.ucla.edu/home/Resources/90/91/docs
       
7. go on Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). Can I take a leave?
   
   1. Yes. International students on OPT can take a leave for outside employment for up to the maximum 3 quarters allowed. If you are not on OPT, but wish to take a leave for outside employment, you must leave the United States or change your immigration status to a different category in order to remain in the U.S. legally. Please consult with the Dashew Center before taking any leave from the university.
       
8. go on Academic Training. Can I take a leave?
   
   1. Please contact DCISS and ask to speak with a J-1 counselor to discuss your options.
       
9. return to my home country temporarily. Do I need a new I-20 or DS-2019 when I am ready to return to UCLA?
   
   1. F-1 or J-1 status holders may not maintain continuous immigration statuses while on Leave of Absence. You may be required to obtain a new I-20 or a new DS-2019 from DCISS for your return. Please note that this may also affect your employment/internship eligibility in the future. Please contact DCISS for more information.
       

 
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