A leave of absence is when a student departs the University with the intention of returning within 12 months of the effective date of the leave of absence. A leave of absence enables the student to follow the degree requirements from the academic catalog of the year in which they started their program.

A medical leave of absence is when a student departs the University due to medical reasons, but plans on returning within 12 months of the effective date of the leave of absence. A medical leave of absence enables the student to follow the degree requirements from the academic catalog of the year in which they started their program.

A withdrawal from the University is when a student leaves with no intention of returning. It is possible, however, for a student to eventually return to the University after withdrawing.

• Center City students (except Sidney Kimmel Medical College students)—complete the Change of Status Form to request a change in enrollment based on a leave of absence, medical leave of absence, or withdrawal from the University. The Change of Status form should route user to the online form.
  
• Sidney Kimmel Medical College students—contact your assigned Student Affairs Dean to discuss changing your enrollment status.
• East Falls students—identify the appropriate option:
• Leave of absence—complete the Change of Status Form to request a Leave of Absence.  The Change of Status form should route user to the online form.
  
• Medical leave of absence—contact the Dean of Students' Office 215-951-2740 to determine if you are eligible for a medical leave of absence.
• Withdrawing from the University—if you intend to withdraw from the University, you must complete the Change of Status Form to withdraw from the university.  For more, view the policy for undergraduate students who are considering withdrawing from the University. The Change of Status form should route user to the online form.

Within 12 months of going on a leave of absence:

• Returning from a leave of absence
• Reach out to your advising advocate or your program director prior to returning from a leave of absence to obtain advising information on how to register for the coming semester.
• Sidney Kimmel Medical College students—contact the Registrar’s Office
• Returning from a medical leave of absence
• Center City students (except Sidney Kimmel Medical College students)—contact your program director
• Sidney Kimmel Medical College students—contact your Student Affairs Dean
• East Falls students—contact the Dean of Students’ Office 215-951-2740

After 12 months of going on a leave of absence:

• All students (except Sidney Kimmel Medical College students)—you will have been inactivated if you have been on a leave of absence for more than one calendar year. You need to re-apply for admission to return to the University.
• Sidney Kimmel Medical College students—contact your Student Affairs Dean