Leave of Absence

There are three types of leave–personal, medical, and parental–all of which are described below. The general policies that apply to all types of leave are:

1. Any student who is contemplating a leave of absence should see the Associate Dean of Student Affairs to discuss the necessary application procedures. All leaves of absence must be approved by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Medical leaves also require the written recommendation of a Yale Health physician, as described below.
2. Students may be granted a leave of absence in one-semester increments, with a limit of four total semesters. Any leave approved by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will be for a specified period.
3. Students on leave of absence may complete outstanding work in any course for which they have been granted extensions. They may not, however, fulfill any other degree requirements during the time on leave. A deadline for completing and submitting outstanding work will be determined in consultation with the faculty member of any course for which there is outstanding work, the student’s advisor, the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, and the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The deadline for submitting incomplete work may be set for any point during the re-enrollment semester and no later than the final day of Reading Period.
4. Students on leave of absence are not eligible for financial aid, including loans; and in most cases student loans are not deferred during periods of non-enrollment. International students who apply for a leave of absence should consult with Yale’s Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) regarding their visa status.
5. Students on a leave of absence are not eligible to use any University facilities normally available to enrolled students.
6. Students on a leave of absence may continue to be enrolled in Yale Health by purchasing coverage through the Student Affiliate Coverage plan. In order to secure continuous coverage from Yale Health, enrollment in this plan must be requested prior to the beginning of the term in which the student will be on leave or, if the leave commences during the term, within thirty days of the date when the leave is approved. Coverage is not automatic; enrollment forms are available from the Member Services Department of Yale Health, 203.432.0246.
7. Students on a leave of absence must notify the Associate Dean of Student Affairs in writing of their intention to return at least eight weeks prior to the end of the approved leave. In addition, if the returning student wishes to be considered for financial aid, they must submit appropriate financial aid applications to the School’s financial aid office to determine eligibility.
8. A student on leave who does not return at the end of the approved leave, and does not request and receive an extension from the Dean, is automatically dismissed from the School.

Personal Leave of Absence

A student who wishes or needs to interrupt study temporarily because of personal exigencies may request a personal leave of absence. The general policies governing all leaves of absence are described above. Students who are current with their degree requirements are eligible for a personal leave after satisfactory completion of at least one term of study. Personal leaves cannot be granted retroactively and normally will not be approved after the tenth day of a term.

To request a personal leave of absence, the student must apply in writing before the beginning of the term for which the leave is requested, explaining the reasons for the proposed leave and stating both the proposed start and end dates of the leave and the address at which the student can be reached during the period of the leave. If the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs find the student to be eligible, the leave will be approved. In any case, the student will be informed in writing of the action taken. A student who does not apply for a personal leave of absence, or whose application for a personal leave is denied, and who does not register for any term, will be considered to have withdrawn from the School.

Medical Leave of Absence

A student who must interrupt study temporarily because of illness or injury may be granted a medical leave of absence with the approval of the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs on the written recommendation of a physician on the staff of University Health Services. The general policies governing all leaves of absence are described above. Students who are making satisfactory progress toward their degree requirements are eligible for a medical leave any time after matriculation. The final decisions concerning a request for a medical leave of absence will be communicated in writing by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.

The School of the Environment reserves the right to place a student on a medical leave of absence when, on the recommendation of the chief of Student Health or the chief of the Department of Mental Health and Counseling, the dean of the School determines that the student is a danger to self or others because of a serious medical problem.

Students who are placed on medical leave during any term will have their tuition adjusted according to the same schedule used for withdrawals (see Tuition Rebate and Refund Policy). Before re-registering, a student on medical leave must secure written permission to return from a Yale Health physician.

Leave of Absence for Parental Responsibilities

A student who wishes or needs to interrupt study temporarily for reasons of pregnancy, maternity care, or paternity care may be granted a leave of absence for parental responsibilities. The general policies governing all leaves of absence are described above. Students who are making satisfactory progress toward their degree requirements are eligible for parental leave any time after student matriculation. Any student planning to have or care for a child is encouraged to meet with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs to discuss leaves and other short-term arrangements. For many students, short- term arrangements rather than a leave of absence are possible. Students living in University housing units are encouraged to review their housing contract and the related policies of the Graduate Housing Office before applying for a parental leave of absence. Students granted parental leave may continue to reside in University Housing to the end of the academic term for which the leave was first granted, but no longer.

For the most up-to-date information on Leave of Absence.