Leave of Absence (LOA)

A leave of absence offers students the opportunity to leave Saint Louis University temporarily, no longer than one calendar year, and return without reapplying through admission.

For students to be placed on a leave of absence they must submit the Petition for Leave of Absence.

During the leave of absence, students:

  • Retain the graduation requirements outlined in their academic catalog of record,
  • Retain their Saint Louis University email account,
  • Retain access to the Libraries (St. Louis campus students only),
  • Retain access to the University Counseling Center (St. Louis campus students only),
  • Retain access to the Student Health Center (St. Louis campus students only),
  • Will have their time to degree calculation paused for graduate programs.
  • Do not have enrollment status for purposes of federal loan deferment,
  • Do not have enrollment status for purposes of health insurance,
  • Are not eligible to reside on campus,
  • Are not eligible to be enrolled in Saint Louis University classes during the leave,
  • Are not eligible to participate in extracurricular on campus activities,
  • Are not eligible to hold campus employment or graduate/teaching assistant positions activities, and
  • Are not eligible for access to Simon Recreation Center

International students must consult with the Office of International Services concerning the conditions of their student visas.

Students must complete the Off-Campus Enrollment form to be approved to take courses at another institution while on a leave of absence. Off-campus undergraduate enrollment is limited to a maximum of nine credits per the University Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policy.  If off-campus enrollment is not approved, students attending another institution will have their leave of absence revoked and therefore will be required to reapply to Saint Louis University in order to return.

Current Semester Requests

Current semester requests are subject to the university’s tuition refund policy.

Current semester requests made during the add/drop period:

Students’ courses will be dropped without any academic record for the current semester.

Current semester requests made after the add/drop period but before the last day of the withdrawal
period:

Students will be withdrawn from their courses, and they will receive a grade of ‘W’ on their transcript for those courses.

Current semester requests made after the last day of the withdrawal period:

Since after the withdrawal period, students are no longer eligible for a Leave of Absence.  Students may request a Leave of Absence for future semesters.