Leave of Absence from College

Students may apply for a leave of absence (LOA) from Bellin College for specific reasons and must be of a specific duration. There are three types of LOA, Voluntary, Medical reasons and Military Service. An approved leave allows students to return without taking part in the re-admission process. Any student wanting or needing to step away from a program of study (degree or certificate) can apply for a leave of absence from Bellin College for specific reasons and the leave may be required to be of a specific duration. An approved leave allows students to return without having to follow in the re-admission process. Bellin College supports students who need to take time away from studies and will provide a successful plan to resume studies upon their return.

A student should begin the LOA request process with an academic advisor or program director. A Student should also contact the Director of Financial Aid concerning any obligations or future financial aid. 

  • Supporting documentation must accompany the request for leave (i.e., military orders, medical documentation, jury duty notification, etc.).
  • Whenever possible, a student should plan the leave to cause minimal disruption to studies. The College will work with the student to ensure this. LOA requests to begin at the end of a semester are preferred.
  • Students should be in good standing status when requesting a LOA.
  • Mid-semester requests for leave should be submitted before the end of the withdrawal period whenever possible.
  • All absences must be approved prior to leave, with the exception of bereavement and certain personal necessity conditions.
  • Leave of Absence is not allowed for the purpose of attending another academic institution.

Students must notify Bellin College when requesting to return from a leave of absence. Sufficient time to prepare for the return should be provided by the student. Students must provide supporting documentation before they can return from a leave of absence. The official return date and course program of study will be discussed prior to the return.

Students may also want to consider a deferred progression as an option for leaving the college for a planned, specific time frame (please refer to Exit/Withdrawal policy).

For additional information on the LOA types and request process, students should contact Student Services.