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 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 2011-2012
  • Full Refund - September 26, 2011
  • Partial Refund - November 14, 2011
Winter 2011-2012
  • Full Refund - January 9, 2012
  • Partial Refund - February 22, 2012
Spring 2011-2012
  • Full Refund - April 2, 2012
  • Partial Refund - May 15, 2012
Summer 2011-2012
  • Full Refund - June 25, 2012
  • Partial Refund - July 27, 2012

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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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Academic Planning Links: