Leave of Absence
The Leave of Absence policy is applicable to all officially admitted and enrolled learners at CalSouthern. A learner can obtain up to three months leave of absence during a consecutive, or “rolling” 12-month time frame if they meet LOA requirements. LOA can be approved in increments of one month without exceeding the three-month maximum cumulative time of leave in a consecutive 12-month timeframe. The request must be submitted in writing to the Academic Advisor and must be taken between course enrollments and may not interrupt an ongoing course. In the case of a need to interrupt an ongoing course, the learner should contact Academic Advisor for further assistance. If a learner requests a Leave of Absence and is unable to submit the appropriate documentation within their allotted time frame, the learner should contact Academic Advisor for further assistance. If the learner fails to meet LOA requirements, including documentation, and does not continue with their current course, the learner may be at risk for non-continuous enrollment.
A leave of absence may be requested for the following (but not limited to) reasons: military, medical, jury duty, family care, etc.
A learner may be granted a Leave of Absence (LOA) if the following requirements are met:
- The LOA request is submitted in writing no more than one month before start of the term, and no later than the end of the add/drop period of the term in which the LOA is requested. Requests must include the reason for the LOA.
- Learners may request multiple LOAs, but the total number of months the learner remains on LOA may not exceed three months during a consecutive 12-month timeframe.
- Prior to applying for an LOA, the learner must have completed their most recent term. An LOA may not be taken in the first term of a learner’s program.
- Learners must be in good academic standing and/or are not subject to disqualifications or dismissal due to academic deficiencies or disciplinary action.
While on a leave of absence, all tuition commitments remain in force. For more information on the learner’s finance and payment status, learners must contact accounting@calsouthern.edu.
Learners who decide not to return to the University must formally withdraw their registration in accordance with the Withdrawal from the University policy. To do so, learners should contact their Academic Advisor/Learner Support Services at least one week prior to the expiration of the leave of absence and complete a withdrawal form. At the time of withdrawal, learners are advised of the conditions under which they might resume their studies should their circumstances change and decide to return at a future date. Upon the end of the approved leave of absence timeframe, learners will be subject to the Continuous Enrollment policy and may result in the learner being administratively withdrawn from the University.