JHU Leave of Absence policy
There may be times when a Carey student needs to take a break from their academic work during the year. For any specific questions about taking leave (including Required Leaves of Absence), visit the university Leave of Absence policy.
Applying for a Voluntary Leave of Absence
A Voluntary Leave of Absence may be granted to Johns Hopkins Carey Business School students in appropriate circumstances following review of the student’s application from the LOA Committee.
Students seeking a voluntary LOA should speak with their academic advisor. Voluntary LOAs may be requested for appropriately documented reasons. These include medical issues, military service, political campaign participation, other personal opportunities, internship, or personal or financial hardship.
Voluntary LOAs are limited to one (1) academic year (two (2) consecutive academic semesters, for those JHU divisions that operate on a semester schedule) but covered students may apply for an extension of up to a full second year (two (2) additional consecutive academic semesters). LOAs may not be granted for more than two (2) years of academic terms in aggregate. Students who remain on leave for more than two (2) years will be considered to have withdrawn from their academic program and must apply to be reinstated to the University.
Students receiving financial aid and/or scholarships should contact the Office of Student Enrollment and Account Management with questions.
Following submission of a completed LOA application, students will be notified in writing of the approval or disapproval of their leave request.
Voluntary Leave of Absence Application
All students requesting a Voluntary LOA must complete the application for a student leave of absence. Students may submit a leave of absence request 10 weeks prior to the start of the academic term for which the leave is requested. Additionally, students must submit supporting documentation based on the type of LOA and international citizenship.
| Voluntary LOA Reasons | International Student | LOA Application | Personal Statement | OIS Email Notification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Difficulty Personal or Family Hardship Other Personal Reasons | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Financial Difficulty Personal or Family Hardship Other Personal Reasons | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voluntary LOA Reasons | International Student | LOA Application | Letter or Verification from Armed Services | OIS Email Notification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Difficulty / Personal or Family Hardship / Other Personal Reasons | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Financial Difficulty / Personal or Family Hardship / Other Personal Reasons | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voluntary LOA Reasons | International Student | LOA Application | Medical Provider Form | OIS Email Notification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical - Physical or Mental Health | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Medical - Physical or Mental Health | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Applying to Return from Voluntary Leave
Students applying to return to from voluntary leave should refer to the following academic timeline:
| Semester of Return | Earliest Submission | Latest Submission |
| Fall I or II | March 15 | Four weeks prior to the start of the Fall academic term. Refer to the academic calendar for specific dates. |
| Intersession | October 15 | Four weeks prior to the start of the intersession. Refer to the academic calendar for specific dates. |
| Spring I or II | October 15 | Four weeks prior to the start of the Spring academic term. Refer to the academic calendar for specific dates. |
| Summer | March 15 | Four weeks prior to the start of the Summer academic term. Refer to the academic calendar for specific dates. |
If a student fails to return from an approved LOA and fails to respond to the University’s attempt to contact them, the student will be removed from their program of study.
Return from Voluntary Leave Application
Students must complete the online reinstatement application to return from a voluntary LOA. The form must be accompanied by documentation from one of the sources below that explains what progress has taken place in the student’s absence that would enable them to be successful upon return. Students must submit a complete reinstatement application with all required supplement documentation in order for their application to be reviewed and approved.
| Voluntary LOA Reasons | Return from Leave Request Form | Personal Statement |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Difficulty • Personal or Family Hardship • Other Personal Reasons | Yes | Yes |
| Voluntary LOA Reasons | Return from Leave Request Form | Letter or Verification from Armed Services |
|---|---|---|
| Military Service | Yes | Yes |
| Voluntary LOA Reasons | Return from Leave Request Form | Medical Provider Form |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Condition - Physical or Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
Extension Request for Voluntary Leave of Absence
Voluntary LOAs are limited to one (1) academic year but students may apply for an extension of up to a full second year.
Extension of Voluntary Leave of Absence Application
All students requesting an extended voluntary LOA must complete the Leave Extension Request Form. Additionally, students must submit supporting documentation based on the type of LOA and international citizenship.
| Extension of Voluntary LOA Reasons | International Student | Leave Extension Request Form | Personal Statement | OIS Email Notification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Difficulty • Personal or Family Hardship • Other Personal Reasons | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Financial Difficulty • Personal or Family Hardship • Other Personal Reasons | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voluntary LOA Extension Reasons | International Student | Leave Extension Request Form | Letter or Verification from Armed Services | OIS Email Notification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military Service | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Military Service | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voluntary LOA Extension Reasons | International Student | Leave Extension Request Form | Medical Provider Form | OIS Email Notification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Condition - Physical or Mental Health | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Medical Condition - Physical or Mental Health | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
LOAs may not be granted for more than two (2) years of academic terms in aggregate. Students who remain on leave for more than two (2) years will be considered to have withdrawn from their academic program and must apply to be reinstated to the University.
International Students
International students in F-1/J-1 visa status must contact the Office of International Services (OIS) by emailing [email protected] prior to submitting the University Leave Request Form. OIS will advise you on the implications to your immigration status, the departure timeline once your leave of absence is in effect, and the necessary steps to take with our office once you are ready to return from your LOA. International students must attach a copy of that email communication as a supplemental document when submitting the University Leave Request Form.