Classes and Planning

Take a leave of absence

Continuing undergraduate and credential students are allowed a one year (one fall and one spring) informal absence without needing to file a Leave of Absence Request; continuing graduate students are NOT allowed any absence without submitting a Leave of Absence Request. Students must have attended at least one term before they are allowed informal leave. 

Continuing undergraduate and credential students who stop out for more than one year (one fall and one spring) without filing a leave of absence request will be discontinued and lose their active student status. Graduate students who don't enroll every semester or file a leave of absence will be discontinued and lose their active student status. Students who lose active status are no longer eligible to enroll as continuing students and are required to reapply to the university.

Student who need additional time off can submit a request for formal leave of absence to the Office of the Registrar. A leave of absence may be granted for a maximum of four total semesters. Students must have attended at least one term before requesting leave. 

Leave of Absence requests must be submitted before the start of the semester for which leave is requested. In order for your request to be processed, all classes must already be dropped. All classes must be dropped prior to term start to receive a full refund of mandatory fees. After the term starts, tuition and fees will be prorated based on drop date.

Financial Aid recipients must consult with the Financial Aid office prior to or as part of their leave request.

Failure to return from leave as specified in the approved request will be considered withdrawal from the university. Under such circumstances, re-enrollment will require a full application for readmission under the same circumstances as any new or returning applicant including enrollment in the curriculum in effect at the time of re-enrollment.

If you wish to return early from leave or cancel your leave request, you must notify the Office of the Registrar in writing. The message must come from your csumb email.

See the Enrollment & Registration policy for more information about leaves of absence.