We understand that students may need to take a leave of absence from the University for financial reasons, personal considerations such as family illness, or for medical reasons.
Term-based, credit-hour institutions such as Seattle Pacific University as a rule do not meet the conditions of a federally approved leave of absence; therefore if you are receiving federal aid and withdraw or take a leave of absence from the University, you may be subject to the federal Return of Title IV and state financial aid return policies and to the terms of your student loan(s).
International students are bound by particular federal laws with regard to leave of absence; therefore this policy does not apply to them.
Note: You must notify Student Financial Services about any change in planned period of enrollment, whether due to withdrawal from a class, a leave of absence, or withdrawal from the University. The specific requirements by which you agreed to abide at the time any financial aid was accepted will remain in effect.
You will be required to re-apply to SPU if you are away from the University for four quarters or more. You do not apply for readmission to SPU if you take a leave of fewer than four quarters. However, if you’re gone for fewer than four quarters, you will be responsible to complete the same degree requirements as expected upon your first quarter of matriculation at the University.
Notification to the department’s graduate coordinator and completion of a Leave of Absence (PDF) form is required prior to the start of the quarter for which the leave of absence is being requested.
While a student is on leave of absence, the University will report the student’s enrollment status to lenders and loan service entities as “not attending,” and a student loan borrower’s grace period will begin.
Students on an SPU leave of absence who do not attend school elsewhere for two consecutive quarters (including summer), or who attend another institution less than half time for two or more consecutive quarters (including summer) will be expected to begin repayment on some or all of their loans. Students are advised to contact their lender(s) regarding their enrollment plans and for repayment information and grace period expiration.
Additional leave of absence requirements
- Students must keep the University apprised of their current contact information, including mailing address and phone number while on leave of absence.
- Students must meet all regular University deadlines for registration, financial aid applications, and similar matters. Financial aid/scholarship awards do not automatically carry over.