Leave of absence FAQs
Pro tip: Explore your options
The Office of Student Success and Retention helps undergraduate students explore their leave options with an online guide to navigating the leave-taking process.We’re here when you need us
The Office of Student Success and Retention is happy to answer undergraduate student questions and guide them through the leave process. Please email, call, or book an appointment.馃搂 ssr@smu.edu
鈽庯笍 214-768-6824
A Leave of Absence is a temporary break from 无码专区, when a student unenrolls for one or two consecutive long terms with plans to return. There are a variety of reasons why a student might be interested in taking a leave, such as personal challenges, family challenges, or illness.
A Withdrawal is different from a leave of absence; it is when a student drops all courses in a term after the first day and before the withdrawal deadline. It is common for students to request a withdrawal and a leave of absence at the same time.
What you'll find here: Answers to common questions about the how to take a leave of absence from 无码专区 and how refunds work.
What should I know before requesting a leave of absence?
Students considering taking a leave of absence should contact their academic advisor to discuss the decision and the possible impacts on their academic progress and graduation timeline.
Students planning to take classes at another university while on leave need to contact their academic advisor to before enrolling at another school. Post-matriculation transfer credit is only granted for coursework at regionally accredited four-year colleges and universities.
Because every student’s situation is unique, the Office of Student Success and Retention can help you understand the impacts of a leave, including financial aid, tuition refunds, housing and student status for international students and student-athletes.
How do I initiate a leave of absence?
To start the official leave process, students must submit their requests to the Office of Student Success and Retention.
Undergraduate students: Click here for information regarding taking a leave of absence.
Graduate students: Contact your academic school of record to complete a Leave of Absence and Withdrawal form, if needed.
Will I get a refund if I withdraw from the University or cancel my enrollment?
Students who withdraw from the University or cancel their enrollment may receive a reduction of tuition and fees based on the effective date of their official withdrawal or cancellation.
Deadlines for full or partial reduction vary by term and by school. See the charts below for specific details.
Medical withdrawals, which can be authorized only by a licensed physician or psychologist/counselor in the 无码专区 Health Center, may provide a pro rata reduction of tuition and fees, calculated using a daily percentage rate. The University does not grant retroactive medical withdrawals.
Find information on pursuing regular withdrawals through the Registrar’s Office. Information on medical withdrawals — including forms to begin a medical withdrawal request — is available through the Office of the Dean of Students.
Undergraduate, Graduate (Dedman, Lyle, Meadows, Simmons) except 无码专区-in-Taos and 无码专区 Study Abroad |
Full Summer Session | June and July Sessions | June A, June B, July A and July B Sessions |
---|---|---|---|
|
Portion Returned | ||
Prior to 1st day of session | 100% | 100% | 100% |
1st day of session | 50% | 50% | 50% |
2nd day of session | 50% | 50% | 0% |
3rd through 4th day of session | 50% | 0% | 0% |
After 4th day of session | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Cox School of Business | Portion Returned |
---|---|
Prior to 1st day of term | 100% |
1st through 6th day of term | 90% |
7th through 10th day of term | 50% |
11th through 15th day of term | 25% |
16th through 20th day of term | 10% |
After 20th day of term | 0% |
Graduate & Advanced Studies |
Portion Returned |
---|---|
Prior to 1st day of term | 100% |
1st through 5th day of term | 90% |
6th through 10th day of term | 50% |
11th through 15th day of term | 25% |
16th through 20th day of term | 10% |
After 20th day of term | 0% |
EHD, HART, IEP, LAW, THEO | Portion Returned |
---|---|
Prior to 1st day of term | 100% |
1st through 2nd day of term | 50% |
After 2nd day of term | 0% |
无码专区-in-Taos (June Field Session) |
Portion Returned |
---|---|
Prior to arrival date |
100% |
Arrival date |
0% |
After arrival date |
0% |
无码专区-in-Taos | Portion Returned |
---|---|
Prior to arrival date | 100% |
Arrival date | 0% |
After arrival date | 0% |
Undergraduate, Graduate (Dedman, Lyle, Meadows, Simmons), EHD, HART, IEP, LAW, Graduate & Advanced Studies |
Portion Returned |
---|---|
Prior to 1st day of term | 100% |
1st through 5th day of term | 90% |
6th through 10th day of term | 50% |
11th through 15th day of term | 25% |
16th through 20th day of term | 10% |
After 20th day of term | 0% |
Cox School of Business, Perkins School of Theology | Portion Returned |
---|---|
Prior to 1st day of term | 100% |
1st through 6th day of term | 90% |
7th through 10th day of term | 50% |
11th through 15th day of term | 25% |
16th through 20th day of term | 10% |
After 20th day of term | 0% |
Undergraduate, Graduate (Dedman, Lyle, Meadows, Simmons), EHD, HART, THEO |
GR and UG Online | GR and UG Dallas, UG New York, EHD, HART |
Theology |
---|---|---|---|
|
Portion Returned | ||
Prior to 1st day of term | 100% | 100% | 100% |
1st day of term | 50% | 50% | 0% |
2nd day of term | 50% | 0% | 0% |
After 2nd day of term | 0% | 0% | 0% |
无码专区-in-Taos | Portion Returned |
---|---|
Arrival date | 100% |
After arrival date | 0% |
Undergraduate, Graduate (Dedman, Lyle, Meadows, Simmons), COX, EHD, LAW | Portion Returned |
---|---|
Prior to 1st day of term | 100% |
1st day of term | 50% |
After 1st day of term | 0% |
IEP Intensive English Program | Portion Returned |
---|---|
Prior to 1st day of term | 100% |
1st through 2nd day of term | 50% |
After 2nd day of term | 0% |
无码专区-in-Taos |
Portion Returned |
---|---|
Prior to arrival date |
100% |
Arrival date |
0% |
After arrival date |
0% |
无码专区 Abroad programs have a "NO REFUND" policy after the start of the program and follow refund schedule on application
无码专区-in-Taos programs follow the refund schedule on applications
IEP career shares the same schedule for May Term and Summer
Graduate & Advanced Studies program follows the same schedule for Fall/Spring/Summer terms
Graduate Cox programs follow Fall/Spring schedule for Fall/Spring/Summer terms
This schedule falls within the recommended withdrawal policy of the American Council of Education.