Leaving Stanford

Leave of Absence

A Leave of Absence (LOA) is required for any term of the Academic Year (Summer terms excluded) for which a student does not wish to enroll in classes.  For students with multiple degree programs or majors, note that leaves of absence are only granted for all programs and majors. 

  • Leaves will not be granted for more than one year at a time. 
  • A leave of absence from your program may not exceed a cumulative total of two years. 

Leave of Absence Form (pdf)

For more information on leaves, see the Stanford Bulletin, or click here for the Leave of Absence Information Sheet for Undergraduates .

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Filing a Leave of Absence

  • Contact UAR to schedule an in-person or phone appointment with an UAR Advisor or your Academic Director to discuss your leave and obtain signature.
  • Meet with your Residence Dean to discuss your leave and obtain signature.  Students living off campus should contact the Off-campus Residence Dean.
  • International students (F-1 and J-1 Visa holders) must contact a Bechtel International Center advisor and obtain signature.
  • Coterm students must contact their Graduate Major Department and obtain signature.

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Deadlines

  • Students must file a leave by the term withdrawal deadline (last day to receive a partial refund):

Note: Students who need to take a leave of absence after the published deadlines should meet with an UAR Advisor or Academic Director.

Quarter Deadline Date
Autumn 2009-2010
  • Full Refund - September 21, 2009
  • Partial Refund - November 9, 2009
Winter 2009-2010
  • Full Refund - January 4, 2010
  • Partial Refund - February 18, 2010
Spring 2009-2010
  • Full Refund - March 29, 2010
  • Partial Refund - May 12, 2010
Summer 2009-2010
  • Full Refund - June 21, 2010
  • Partial Refund - July 23, 2010

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Considerations

Students need to follow the steps on the back of the leave form in notifying the following offices, where appropriate:

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Incompletes

Students on an approved leave of absence retain their admitted student status; however, they are not registered and therefore do not have the rights and privileges of registered students.  Students on leave may complete course work for which an "Incomplete" grade was reported in a prior term and are expected to comply with the one-year maximum time limit for resolving incompletes. 

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Returning from a leave:

When taking a leave, students need to follow steps for returning to Stanford:

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