Matriculation | Leaves and Withdrawals

The following applies to GPH Graduate (MA, MPH, MS) and Doctoral (PhD, DrPH) Students.

If you are an undergraduate student taking GPH courses (i.e. combined major, 4+1, or minor) please refer to your home school’s policies.

NYU expects its students to maintain continuous enrollment in an academic program with the exception of summer breaks. Masters students must complete their degree requirements within 6 years from the time of matriculation. Doctoral students must complete their degree requirements within 7 years from the time of matriculation. 

It is sometimes necessary or desirable for a student to take a leave from enrollment for a period of time. A leave of absence maintains a student’s status toward the degree. 

Students granted a break in their studies are still required to complete all degree requirements within the specified time of initial enrollment. A leave does not extend the specific time period for obtaining a degree.

Jump to:

Leave(s)

A Leave is an approved temporary break from University studies for one or more terms with the intent to return for a future term. A leave of absence must be requested prior to the semester in which the leave is taken but no later than the Add/Drop deadline for that term. Students granted a leave of absence are still required to complete all degree requirements within the specified time of initial enrollment. A leave does not extend the specific time period for obtaining a degree.

There are 3 types of leaves:

  1. Leave of Absence (LOA)
  2. Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA)
  3. Non-sanctioned Leave of Absence

Please Note | If you are an international student, in addition to following these steps, you  are required to contact NYU Office of Global Services to discuss your leave plans. A personal or medical leave of absence can impact your eligibility for F-1 or J-1 benefits such as CPT or OPT. Please refer to the International Students Taking a LOA/MLOA section below for more information. 

The NYU Office of Student Success is here to help you make the most of your leave and ease your transition back to NYU. Please refer to the Support for Students on a Leave section below for more information.

What is a Personal Leave of Absence (LOA)?

A personal leave of absence is a request for reasons unrelated to medical or counseling conditions. Personal leaves are voluntary and apply to issues related to personal circumstances, such as a financial issue, a military leave, or academic reasons. A personal leave can only be granted for a maximum of two semesters, not including summer. 

➪ How to apply for a Personal Leave of Absence (LOA)?

  1. Schedule a meeting with your Program Advisor. Your advisor can explain the pros and cons of taking a leave. 
  2. Apply for a leave of absence in Albert by selecting “Request Leave of Absence” under the academics tab. Follow the prompts to indicate when your leave will begin, when you plan to return, and the reason for your leave.
  3.  Once your leave has been approved, you will receive an email notification.

What is a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA)?

NYU recognizes that it is sometimes necessary or desirable for a student to take a leave from enrollment for a period of time due to unforeseen medical occurrences/issues. 

➪ How to apply for a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA)?

  1. Schedule a meeting with your Program Advisor.
  2. Apply for a leave of absence in Albert by selecting “Request Leave of Absence” under the academics tab, indicating that your leave is for health-related reasons.
    1. For a MLOA for mental health concerns, you are required to have an assessment by a counselor in NYU Counseling & Wellness Services. You can make an appointment for an assessment by calling 212-998-4780 or emailing wellness.exchange@nyu.edu. 
    2. For a MLOA for physical reasons, please refer to NYU SHC MLOA | Instructions for Physical Related . For questions about this please contact the SHC at 212-443-1000. 
  3. Once you have applied for a MLOA in Albert and followed the steps above with either the NYU Student Health Center or NYU Counseling & Wellness Services, you will receive a formal letter approving your MLOA which will include the required steps on how to return from your MLOA

What is a Non-sanctioned Leave of Absence?

Any student who is inactive — has not enrolled in courses for a semester , has not maintained matriculation or been approved for a leave of absence in Albert — will be placed on a non-sanctioned leave of absence for one term. 

While on a non-sanctioned leave of absence you are not eligible for NYU student health insurance and lose access to all NYU facilities and resources.

➪ In the term immediately following the term of inactivity (non-sanctioned leave), a student must enroll in courses without exception prior to the Add/Drop deadline. An inactive student who does not enroll in classes prior to the Add/Drop deadline of the subsequent term will be formally deactivated from the program. 

International Students Taking a LOA/MLOA

If you are requesting a LOA or MLOA in addition to following the steps outlined above you are required to contact the NYU Office of Global Services to discuss your immediate plans and any plans you may have to return. 

➪ A personal or medical leave of absence can impact your eligibility for F-1 or J-1 benefits such as CPT, OPT, or Academic Training.  More information can be found on the OGS website.

Support for Students on a Leave

Even while you are taking a leave of absence, you are an important part of the NYU community. The NYU Office of Student Success is here to help you make the most of your leave and ease your transition back to NYU. 

➪ Learn more about their resources on the Support for Students on a Leave of Absence webpage.

Withdrawal(s)

There are two types of withdrawals: Term Withdrawal and Total Withdrawal.

➪ What is a Term Withdrawal?

A term withdrawal means you intend to withdraw from all of your classes for a term.With a term withdrawal, you are not eligible for a refund and you will have a “W” on your transcript for each class. 

➪ What is a Total Withdrawal?

A total withdrawal means you intend to withdraw from the University permanently before completing your program, and do not intend to return for a future term. 

A total withdrawal requested after the drop/add deadline of the term will result in W grades on your transcript and you will not receive a full refund. 

How to apply for a Term or Total Withdrawal?

  1. Schedule a meeting with your Program Advisor.
  2. Apply for Term or Total Withdrawal in Albert by selecting “Request for Term/Total Withdrawal” under the academics tab.
  3. An email confirmation will be sent to your NYU email address after you submit your request.

NOTE | If your Term Withdrawal is due to medical reasons (either mental health or physical); there is an option to choose “Term Withdrawal for medical reasons”. In this scenario you are required to follow the additional steps below:

  1. For mental health concerns you are required to have an assessment by a counselor in NYU Counseling & Wellness Services. You can make an appointment for an assessment by calling 212-998-4780 or emailing wellness.exchange@nyu.edu. 
  2. For physical reasons, please refer to NYU SHC MLOA | Instructions for Physical Health. For questions about this please  contact the SHC at #212-443-1000. 

Maintenance of Matriculation (MoM)

A degree can only be awarded to a student who has been continuously matriculated for each Fall and Spring term since entering the program.

In order to be matriculated, students must either register for at least one required course or pay the maintenance of matriculation fee plus the registration fee (which comes to a combined total of $1098 as of Fall 2023). 

MA, MPH, and MS students who maintain matriculation are still required to complete all degree requirements within 6 years. Doctoral students who maintain matriculation are still required to complete all degree requirements within 7 years.

Students on Maintenance of Matriculation will retain access to their NYU email account, NYU facilities, etc.

➪ How to apply for a Maintenance of Matriculation (MoM)?

  1. Download and complete the Maintenance of Matriculation Form.
  2. Schedule a meeting with your Program Advisor to discuss this and obtain their signature for the form.
  3. Email the signed and completed form to: gph.registration@nyu.edu.

Important Information About Leave(s) and Withdrawal(s)

Remember that:

  • When requesting a leave or withdrawal, you accept financial responsibility for all charges, including collection of fees associated with your request, according to the University Refund Policy.
  • Withdrawing can impact your financial aid, including eligibility for federal student aid refunds. Financial aid recipients should contact the Office of Financial Aid with questions.
  • Taking a leave or withdrawing can impact your visa eligibility. International students should contact the Office of Global Services with questions.
  • While on non-sanctioned leave, you are not eligible for NYU student health insurance and lose access to all NYU facilities and resources.
  • If you do not request an approved leave of absence or enroll after one term of non-sanctioned leave, you will be deactivated from NYU.
  • A term withdrawal or total withdrawal requested after the drop/add deadline of the term will result in W grades on your transcript.
  • A leave of absence or withdrawal may affect your campus housing. Contact the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services at housing@nyu.edu for more information.
  • Additional information and instructions for taking a Leave or Withdrawal are on the NYU Registrar Website

Do not submit a request for leave or term/total withdrawal if:

  • You want to drop individual classes after the add/drop deadline, but will remain registered in other classes. Instead, submit a class withdrawal request.
  • You intend to complete the remaining degree or research requirements that do not require registration for additional credit-bearing classes.

FAQs About Leaves & Withdrawals

WHEN CAN I APPLY FOR A LEAVE OF ABSENCE?

A leave of absence can be requested up until the add/drop deadline of each semester noted on the NYU Academic Calendar. However, students requesting a leave after the first day of classes in a given semester are subject to the University’s standard tuition refund schedule. For this reason, it is best to submit the request in Albert before the first day of classes.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A PERSONAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE?

The first step is to have a conversation with your Program Advisor. Your advisor can explain the pros and cons of taking a leave. Then, you should apply for a leave of absence in Albert by selecting “leave of absence” under the academics tab, indicating that your leave is for personal reasons. Once your leave has been approved, you will receive an email notification.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE AND RETURN FROM ONE?

There are several steps to requesting a medical leave of absence. 

DO I HAVE TO PAY ANY FEES TO TAKE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE?

There are no fees assessed for a leave of absence. However, students requesting a leave after the first day of classes in a given semester are subject to the University’s standard tuition refund schedule. For this reason, it is best to submit the request in Albert before the first day of classes.

CAN I CONTINUE TO USE NYU FACILITIES OR RESOURCES DURING MY LEAVE OF ABSENCE?

No, students on leaves of absence do not have access to University resources or facilities for the duration of their leave. However, students on a leave of absence maintain their NYU email account and access to Albert.

HOW DOES A LEAVE OF ABSENCE AFFECT MY ELIGIBILITY FOR NYU HOUSING?

Students taking a personal/financial leave of absence lose their housing renewability and must apply to be housed off the housing waitlist. Students taking a medical leave of absence maintain their housing renewability. The reason is that personal/financial leaves are considered to be voluntary, while medical leaves are taken for reasons beyond the student’s control.

HOW DOES A LEAVE OF ABSENCE AFFECT MY NYU FINANCIAL AID?

Students must reapply for federal financial aid each academic year by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Be sure to complete the FAFSA for the academic year that corresponds to the semester you plan to return. As a reminder, students must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for federal financial aid. 

WILL I HAVE TO BEGIN PAYING BACK STUDENT LOANS IF I TAKE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE?

Once you graduate, drop below half-time enrollment, or leave school, your federal student loans will go into repayment. However, if you have a Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans, you have a six-month grace period before you are required to start making regular payments. Similarly, If you have a Graduate PLUS Loan, you will be placed on an automatic deferment while in school and for six months after graduating, leaving school, or dropping below half-time enrollment.

Students who return from leave and re-enroll for at least half-time status will resume in-school deferment. For Unsubsidized and PLUS borrowers, please note that interest will continue to accrue while the loan is in deferment. 

If you have any questions about federal loan repayment, you should contact your Federal Student Loan Servicer. 

For students who have borrowed private student loans, each private lender may have different repayment requirements. Please check with your lender to review the terms for taking a leave of absence.

HOW DOES A LEAVE OF ABSENCE AFFECT MY GPH SCHOLARSHIP?

During your leave of absence, your NYU GPH scholarship will not be disbursed. Instead, NYU GPH will retain your scholarship for use during the next eligible term. Your scholarship award will remain unchanged and is set upon admission. It is essential to maintain the required enrollment to retain your scholarship, as is standard in any term of enrollment. Should you have any inquiries regarding the requirements, please review your scholarship awarding terms or reach out to gph.financialaid@nyu.edu for clarification.

CAN I MAINTAIN MY NYU HEALTH INSURANCE DURING MY LEAVE OF ABSENCE?

In short, yes. To avoid a lapse in your insurance, you may enroll in the NYU health insurance plan for up to one (1) year while on a school-sanctioned Leave of Absence. To apply for the NYU sponsored insurance plan, please contact the NYU Student Health Insurance Department at (212) 443-1020 or health.insurance@nyu.edu. A team member will contact you and provide next steps. Please consult this page for more information.

HOW WILL A LEAVE OF ABSENCE AFFECT MY VISA STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT?

The Office of Global Services (OGS) has a website containing detailed information about leaves of absence for international students. It is extremely important to follow all of the guidelines there and to contact OGS with any questions.