Current Students: Continuing graduate students who need to take a break from their program and are not able to register for courses, research, or continuing enrollment, can submit a request for a leave of absence by following the appropriate steps below.
New Students: New students who have not yet started their program are not eligible to take a leave and should instead contact our admissions office to inquire about changing their start date.
On this page:
General Leave of Absence
Process and Policy
Continuing graduate students who are unable to take courses due to personal non-academic reasons may file for a leave of absence by submitting a Leave of Absence Form which can be found on our forms page.
- Leave of Absence Form (General Leaves)
The leave of absence request should be submitted before the term in which the leave is to begin. We do not grant leaves for the current semester unless there are extenuating circumstances. If you feel that you need to submit leave request for the current semester, please contact grad.studentrecords@unh.edu first to discuss. If your leave is health related, please refer to the section below on health leaves.
Leaves will be granted for a maximum off one calendar year. In certain situations, students may request an extension to this one year timeframe.
If you receive any financial aid, the effective date of your leave of absence may affect your present and/or future financial aid. Please check with Student Accounts by calling (603) 862-2230.
Housing & Residential Life
If you live on campus, you must also complete the housing cancellation process and will need to check out of your residence hall/apartment. Students who are approved for a health leave are offered a partial refund calculated based on the date that they fully move out of housing.
If you presently live on campus and will require on-campus housing upon your intended return to UNH, contact Housing & Residential Life. If your condition will require any physical modifications to your room/bathroom, you must notify Housing & Residential Life as well as Student Accessibility Services at least 12 weeks prior to your intended arrival.
Dining
If you have a meal plan, contact Dining regarding any potential refund.
Insurance & Student Health Benefit Plans
You are responsible for determining how your leave of absence may affect your health insurance coverage. If you have the UNH Student Health Benefits Plan (SHBP), please contact Health & Wellness (603.862.0066) with any questions.
Leave of Absence for Health Related Reasons
Process and Policy
When classes are in session, students can request for a health leave of absence by filling out and submitting a Health Leave of Absence form to the Graduate School Dean's Office. The form can be found on our forms page.
Before submitting this form, students are advised to contact Dovev Levine, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, by email (dovev.levine@unh.edu) or by phone (603.862.2234). The health leave of absence process may afford students some additional consideration regarding their grades and/or tuition. However, to qualify for a health leave, students must have documentation from a licensed treatment provider justifying the need to take a leave for health reasons.
Leaves will be granted for a maximum off one calendar year. In certain situations, students may request an extension to this one year timeframe.
If you receive any financial aid, the effective date of your leave of absence may affect your present and/or future financial aid. Please check with Student Accounts by calling (603) 862-2230.
Leave of Absence Supporting Letter
You will also need to request a letter from your treatment provider (physician, therapist, etc.).
This letter must
- Be typed on office letterhead stationery or sent from a verified provider office email address;
- Indicate the diagnosis and/or specific nature of the health condition and the current status of that diagnosis/condition;
- Verify and support the condition as the reason for the leave of absence from UNH.
The letter should be sent to the Graduate School Dean's Office.
Housing & Residential Life
If you live on campus, you must also complete the housing cancellation process and will need to check out of your residence hall/apartment. Students who are approved for a health leave are offered a partial refund calculated based on the date that they fully move out of housing.
If you presently live on campus and will require on-campus housing upon your intended return to UNH, contact Housing & Residential Life. If your condition will require any physical modifications to your room/bathroom, you must notify Housing & Residential Life as well as Student Accessibility Services at least 12 weeks prior to your intended arrival.
Dining
If you have a meal plan, contact Dining regarding any potential refund.
Insurance & Student Health Benefit Plans
You are responsible for determining how your leave of absence may affect your health insurance coverage. If you have the UNH Student Health Benefits Plan (SHBP), please contact Health & Wellness (603.862.0066) with any questions.
Returning to UNH
Students who wish to return from a leave of absence must complete a Request to Return form (found on our website) and send it to the Graduate School Dean's Office. Students who were on a medical leave will also need to send a supporting letter from a provider (see below). Return forms/letters can be emailed to grad.studentrecords@unh.edu, or mailed to the address on the form.
Leaves are granted for a maximum of one calendar year unless otherwise noted. If you do not submit a request to return within this timeframe, your student status will be inactivated and you will need to reapply to your program when you are ready to return.
Return from Health Leave of Absence Support Letter
If your leave was health related you must obtain a letter from your health-care provider who has treated you since your departure. The health care provider's information will be reviewed by the Graduate School.
This letter must
- Be typed on office letterhead stationery or sent from a verified provider office email address
- Describe the extent of your treatment and the provider's assessment of your readiness to resume studies
- Include a description of the current status of your condition
- Describe any special needs you may require upon your arrival on campus
All forms can be found on the Graduate School forms page.
