Leave of Absence (LOA) and University Withdrawal (UW)

A leave of absence (LOA) is a temporary separation from the university. While on LOA you retain student status. When you return to RIT, you will resume the program requirements that were in place at the time you originally began your program of study. You can find the full policy in the Student Handbook

A university withdrawal is a permanent separation from the university. You will no longer be a student at RIT once your request to withdraw from the university has been approved and processed. If at a later time you want to return to RIT, you must reapply through Admissions. You can find the full policy in the Student Handbook

Anytime a student takes time away from the university there are important things to consider that might impact the student’s time to degree and/or financial obligations.

• Do you need to leave the university immediately, or can you finish the term and request a planned LOA the following term? Leaving during a term will result in a grade of “W” for all of your courses (unless taken prior to the last day of add/drop).
• If you receive a scholarship or financial aid, meet with the Finance Office to discuss how a LOA/UW may impact your scholarship or financial aid package.
• Contact the Finance Office regarding tuition charges and to inquire about the refund policy.
• If you have any outstanding library materials, return them to the Library and pay any outstanding fines. Unreturned materials or fines may result in a hold being placed on your student account.
• If you are currently living in RIT Dubai housing, you must vacate university housing. Contact Student Affairs with any questions or concerns regarding the timeline.

• Requests for a leave of absence or university withdrawal for the current term can be made between the first day and last day of classes.
• Prior to starting the process it is important that you set-up a meeting with your Academic Advisor to discuss the reason(s) you are considering a LOA/UW, as well as other possible options. 
• Determine the appropriate type of LOA/UW request with your advisor; planned or immediate.
• Instructions and links will be shared with you for the forms and survey that you must complete.
• Completing the LOA Request form does not mean your request is approved. You should continue to attend classes, if possible, until you receive an email from the Registrar’s Office confirming that everything has been processed.
  • The form will be routed to your primary academic advisor to ensure you have met and discussed your intentions, and ultimately to your academic department for final approval.
  • For instructions on filling out your LOA/UW eForm please visit this link.
• Update your contact information (mailing address, email address, phone number) in SIS – from Student Center click on the Student Contact Verification link under Personal Information. 

• Contact your primary academic advisor to initiate the Return from Leave of Absence form. This needs to be completed to give you an enrollment term in SIS. You will not be able to enroll until this is processed.
• Discuss with your advisor possible course options to enroll in for the upcoming semester.
• A student is allowed up to 3 consecutive terms, including summer, without enrollment. If you were not enrolled in the term(s) prior to your LOA, those terms will count toward the three allowed terms. In the fourth term, you must be enrolled in courses, or you will be discontinued. If discontinued, you will need to reapply to RIT through the admissions office. Please refer to the discontinuation schedule provided below.

Discontinuation Schedule

If you completed a university withdrawal, and now want to return to the university, you will need to reapply through the RIT Dubai Admissions Office.