Leaves & Withdrawals
Students who wish to take a leave of absence must consult with the Student Outreach and Resource Center. A leave of absence may be granted for a program of work, study, or travel that demonstrably contributes to the student's personal development or program of study at Rollins, or for medical, financial, or personal reasons. Students may not remain on campus while on a leave of absence. Students who need to return to campus while on leave may do so only after coordinating with the Student Outreach and Resource Center.
Students may apply for a leave of absence for up to two consecutive semesters. Requests for a leave of absence must be filed and confirmed by the Student Outreach and Resource Center by 5 p.m. on the business day prior to the first day of classes in order for a student to be eligible for a full refund. All requests received on and after the first day of classes will be subject to a prorated refund schedule. Students studying off-campus in a Rollins or other affiliated program need not apply for a leave of absence. Such students register through the Office of International Programs.
Leaves
A student may find it necessary to leave the institution for a period of time and then return to their studies at a later date. After consultation with the Student Outreach and Resource Center, a student may be approved for inactive status, commonly known as a leave of absence. Outlined below are the types of leaves that a student may take at the College:
- Personal Leave (PLOA): PLOA may be granted for a program of work, study, or travel that demonstrably contributes to the student's personal development or program of study at Rollins. A student may also request a PLOA for reasons related to financial and/or personal hardship.
- Medical Leave (MLOA): The AVP of Student Affairs/Dean of Students or designee may, upon consideration of the welfare of the individual student and the College community, place a student on MLOA. A student is encouraged to request a voluntary medical leave in the event s/he believes her/his physical and/or mental health concerns are interfering with the ability to succeed at Rollins and/or the demands of college life are interfering with recovery or safety.
Withdrawals
Withdraw Requests
Students may voluntarily withdraw from Rollins by completing a withdrawal form by appointment with the Student Outreach and Resource Center. After the second week of classes, the withdrawal is recorded on the student’s transcript as a ‘W.’ Students who withdraw from the college after the Friday of the eleventh week of classes may receive a grade of ‘F’ or NC (no credit) as determined by the grading mode of the course.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the leave of absence?
A student may find it necessary to leave the institution for a period of time and then return to their studies at a later date. After consultation with the Student Outreach and Resource Center, a student may be approved for inactive status, commonly known as a leave of absence. Outlined below are the types of leaves that a student may take at the College:
Personal Leave (PLOA): PLOA may be granted for a program of work, study, or travel that demonstrably contributes to the student's personal development or program of study at Rollins. A student may also request a PLOA for reasons related to financial and/or personal hardship.
Medical Leave (MLOA): The AVP of Student Affairs/Dean of Students or designee may, upon consideration of the welfare of the individual student and the College community, place a student on MLOA. A student is encouraged to request a voluntary medical leave in the event s/he believes her/his physical and/or mental health concerns are interfering with the ability to succeed at Rollins and/or the demands of college life are interfering with recovery or safety.
Why do students take a leave of absence?
Students take leaves of absence for various reasons, including but not limited to illness, military service, professional opportunities, or for purely personal reasons.
How long may I be away from Rollins during a leave of absence?
Students may take a leave of absence for up to 2 consecutive semesters. Exceptions to this policy are granted at the discretion of the Office of the AVP of Student Affairs/ Dean of Students.
What if I need to take a leave of absence during the middle of a semester?
In some circumstances, students may need to take a leave of absence in the midst of a semester. Should a student begin the inactive status during the school year, depending on the number of days completed in the semester, the student may receive a prorated reimbursement of tuition. See links to the College’s refund schedule: College Refund Schedules
What will happen to my financial aid award if I take a leave of absence?
Because financial aid packages are customized for each individual student, it is recommended that the student meets with the Financial Aid Office to determine the impact that leaves may have on a student’s financial aid. The Financial Aid Office may be reached at 407.646.2395 or finaid@rollins.edu.
May I take classes at another institution while I am away from Rollins?
Yes, provided you obtain permission from your academic faculty advisor and confer with the Office of the Registrar prior to enrollment at another institution. Additionally, you must complete and provide the Office of the Registrar the following form: Transfer Credit Pre-Approval. Students receiving Rollins financial aid must check with the Rollins College Office of Financial Aid to determine if there are any financial aid implications for taking classes while on leave. Student-athletes should check with the Department of Athletics to determine if there are any National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility implications for taking classes at other institutions while on leave.
Who should I contact to request an LOA and what is the deadline?
You should contact the Student Outreach and Resource Center to schedule an appointment to discuss a leave of absence. Call 407.646.2345 or e-mail care@rollins.edu. The deadline to take a leave of absence is the last day of classes.
What paperwork do I need to complete and whom must I notify?
The first step to taking a leave is to meet with the Student Outreach and Resource Center and fill out the following form: Leave of Absence Request Form. The completion of this form does not finalize the change of status, the Student Outreach and Resource Center will notify you of any further required documentation.
Who else should I speak to?
It is recommended that you speak with the Financial Aid Office and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services to inquire about the impact that leave may have on your financial aid or student visa, as appropriate. The Student Outreach and Resource Center will notify all other pertinent campus offices (Financial Aid, Student Account Services, Residential Life & Explorations, Dining Services, academic advisors, etc.) when your leave of absence is finalized.
What do I need to do in order to return from a leave of absence?
To return from a leave of absence, the Student Outreach and Resource Center must be notified via care@rollins.edu or call 407.646.2345; deadlines are August 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester. Students on medical leave must also work with their medical health provider to receive the recommendation to return to the rigors of a residential campus environment, as recommendation paperwork is required.