Leaves of Absence
Students are permitted to take a Planned Educational Leave or a Medical Leave with a written request, with the eligibility requirements met and with the approval from the appropriate campus officials.
ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL LEAVES
A student on Educational or Medical Leave will be considered to be in continuous attendance with the purpose of returning to the same curriculum which was in effect when the leave began. A student on Educational or Medical Leave will not be required to apply for readmission or pay an application fee provided that the student returns to the same major and within the time period agreed upon when the application was approved. The student on leave may return and enroll for any term prior to the term when the leave is scheduled to end. Neither leave will be extended beyond the two-year limitation for any reason. Any student on leave who fails to return and enroll within the time limits specified by the leave agreement will be required to reapply for admission, pay the re-application fee, and may be held to any new curriculum requirements which may be in effect. A total of eight terms of leave (educational or medical) are available to each student while attending Cal Poly. No more than two leave requests will be allowed per student.
Planned Educational Leave
Is for a purpose which contributes to the student's educational objective and is approved by the student's advisor and major department head or chair. To be considered for an Educational Leave, the student must be eligible to enroll for the term in which the leave begins and not be on academic probation. The application for Educational Leave must be initiated and approved before the leave begins and will not be granted retroactively.
Requirements:
- Student cannot be on academic probation at the time leave is requested.
- Student must sign form and provide statement of purpose for the leave request.
- Signatures from the student's advisor AND Department Head must be obtained.
Medical Leave
Medical Leave provides time for the student to receive treatment or to recover from a disabling injury or other medical condition and is approved by either the campus Director of Health and Psychological Services or a private physician. The Medical Leave begins the term following the student's last term in attendance and may be granted retroactively based on the student's personal situation. A written letter together with medical documentation (letter/statement from doctor on Dr.'s letter head) is required.
Requirements:
- Statement and signature from student.
- Medical documentation from private physician or from Cal Poly Health Center head physician (IMPORTANT NOTE: Contact Dr. Burt Cochran or Marina Perez at Cal Poly Health Services to ensure that the appropriate physician signatures are obtained. (805)756-1211.)
Short Term
For 'short term' absences (no more than 2 quarters in a row) please view the information provided in Continuing Student Eligibility.
