Considering a leave of absence
The leave of absence policy at the College offers flexibility when deciding when, and how long, you want to take a leave.
While you are expected to complete your degree requirements in eight terms, they do not need to be consecutive. Reasons for leaves vary, and there are several members of your advising and support network willing to talk with you about making the decision to stay enrolled or take a pause.
Leaves at the College are open-ended and you may chose to take a leave of absence for the current term through the first day of Reading Period.
Getting started
The best first contact when considering a leave is your Resident Dean. They can fully explain the key dates and declaration process. Resident Deans can also help connect you to campus partners which may be useful if you decide to stay enrolled.
In other cases, they may connect you with offices to learn more about the financial, academic, and personal outcomes of a leave decision before deciding to take time away from studies. These conversations can help you decide what time of year would be best for you to take a leave because leaves of absence before a term begins have different implications than once the term has started.
Available resources
While taking a leave of absence is an enrollment decision, there are other implications of time away which may make the decision more difficult. Sometimes, when students consider a leave of absence, they learn about other supportive measures at the College which may benefit from while staying enrolled. If you are thinking about a leave of absence, you may also want to consider what support you would benefit from if you decide to stay enrolled in courses instead.
Students who have considered a leave found the following resources useful:
- Academic Resource Center staff help connect you to coaches, tutors, accountability groups, and workshops to help you reach your potential. Their wide variety of resources can help you understand learning strategies, study tips on classes, and advice for starting study groups.
- Disability Access Office within the FAS Office of Student Services supports students with disabilities to determine barriers to access, develop support plans, and promote inclusion through collaborative efforts across the university. In a situation where you feel like you require support to manage a disability while enrolled, the DAO can help determine available academic accommodations to supportive to ease your adjustment. These include chronic and temporary circumstances.
- University Health Services includes a variety of support for mental as well as physical health and wellbeing. If you are trying to manage a physical or emotional concern, University Health Services has comprehensive programs to help you get care. These include individual appointments, workshops, telehealth resources, and 24/7 urgent care.
- Get Support is a comprehensive guide maintained by the Dean of Students Office that includes a variety of support resources at the College including financial, academic, social, and more.
If you are considering a leave of absence, we strongly recommend that you think of the people in your life at Harvard and beyond who may be able to help you through this process. These may include coaches and administrators in Athletics, members of your academic advising network, professors, and other students.
- Allston Burr Resident Deans/Resident Deans of First-Year Students can provide you with academic and personal support. They can speak with you about your College experience, goals for time away from Harvard, and share relevant resources while you are enrolled and/or to connect with if planning to take a leave.
- Confidential Supports are available for confidential conversations about your considerations for taking a leave of absence. Other confidential resources are available.
- The timing of declaring a leave of absence has financial implications. The Griffin Financial Aid Office has information on the financial effect of taking a leave based on the schedule of financial obligations. You may email your financial aid officer or contact their central account at FAOinfo@fas.harvard.edu.
- Harvard International Office serves the international community at the College. If hold a visa you should consult with an advisor about how taking a leave affects its status.
- Student-athletes should also discuss with their coaches and compliance staff about the implications of a leave of absence relative to their NCAA eligibility.
Summary of leaves of absence policies
The Student Handbook details the leave of absence policy, allowing students to declare a leave for the current term through the first day of the reading period. Most students take a leave for one or two terms, but there's no limit on the duration or frequency of leaves. If you're away for more than three years, your email will be deactivated until you declare your return, and returning after five years requires demonstrating financial stability due to changes in financial aid eligibility.
Leaves of absence taken during the term come with additional considerations. Leaving during term time is allowed, however, you are subject to the schedule of financial obligation. If you take a leave of absence during the term, you will not receive any grades and the prior work will not be reflected on your transcript.
Students on leave are no longer enrolled, meaning you remain part of the Harvard community but without certain resources meant for enrolled students. You are expected to be off-campus, so you can't access dorms, dining halls, library, or athletic facilities. You also won’t have access to Harvard University Health Services (HUHS), making it essential to discuss external healthcare referrals with your wellbeing team. If you're on the student health insurance plan, you can request six additional months of coverage, with guidance available from their member services.
Some leaves may have conditions, such as an HUHS condition requiring medical engagement during your leave, with expectations to follow a treatment plan and engage in a productive activity like volunteering or working. This differs from the expectations for "requirement to withdraw," as leaves are not disciplinary. An Administrative Board condition serves as a checkpoint, often when a student takes a leave while on academic probation, if the leave was taken after the 7th Monday, or when there are unresolved conduct cases. Also, if a student takes a leave of absence after the 10th Monday, they are not allowed to enroll for the next term unless they have exceptional circumstances.
Involuntary leaves of absence, while not disciplinary, may occur due to safety concerns, unmet administrative or financial obligations, or personal behavior issues. Students can request to change their status to voluntary by consulting their Resident Dean. This is an administrative process done on behalf of the student who requests it. Students should refer to the Harvard College Student Handbook for all situations where an involuntary leave of absence can occur.