Leaves of Absence
Graduate School Code of Legislation PDF Document
Summary
There are two different types of leaves of absence. You may request a leave of absence for either health or personal reasons. Both types of leave pause your student status, with the opportunity to return to your program at a set time.
- Both health and personal leaves of absence may be requested for for up to 12 months and renewable for a maximum of four years.
- Students on a leave of absence are not eligible to receive financial aid or funding while away and do not have access to campus resources.
- Note: While not a leave of absence, there is a parental accommodation policy designed to serve parental needs surrounding childbirth, adoption, newborn care, foster care, and acute child health care. More information is found (parental accommodation). To initiate the parental accommodation, complete and return the Parental Accommodation Request form.
In Depth
Comparison of Different Statuses
| Question/Topic | Health Leave | Personal Leave |
|---|---|---|
| How to initiate process | Student needs to meet with the health leaves coordinator (healthleaves@cornell.edu). | Student completes the Leave of Absence form and submits to the Graduate School. |
| Length of leave | Duration of health leave will depend upon the time the student needs to address health needs and resolution of academic conditions. Up to 12 months with annual renewal possible for a total of four years. | Up to 12 months with annual renewal possible for a total of four years. |
| Time to degree | Time away does not count toward time to degree. | Time away does not count toward time to degree. |
| Is financial support maintained? | Original offer of financial support at time of admission is continued when you return if you are in good academic standing. | Original offer of financial support at time of admission is not guaranteed when you return. |
| Does health insurance continue? | Students should review their options with Student Health Benefits. | Students should review their options with Student Health Benefits. |
| Access to Cornell facilities and personnel | Students do not have access to Cornell facilities or personnel. | Students do not have access to Cornell facilities or personnel. |
| Learn more | Read health leave policy. Contact Health Leaves Coordinator (healthleaves@cornell.edu). Contact Janna Lamey (janna.lamey@cornell.edu), the associate dean for graduate student life, or Olivia Hopewell (ho256@cornell.edu), the graduate student life advisor. | Read personal leave policy. Contact Graduate School Student Services (gradstudserv@cornell.edu). |
International Students
As an international student, you must talk to a representative in International Services before requesting a leave of absence.
Related
- Graduate and Professional Student Parental Accommodation, Policy 1.6
- Voluntary Leave of Absence for Students, Policy 7.1
- Bursar tuition proration schedule
Contact
Ryan Sexton
Graduate School Registrar
grad_registrar@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-254-4561