Student Guide to Leaves of Absence
Harvard will always be here. Your health comes first.
Leaves are normal and healthy. Approximately 1 in 20 students take a leave at some point during their time at Harvard.
People take leaves for a variety of reasons. These include (but are not limited to):
Addressing a mental or physical health concern
Addressing family emergencies
Wanting to spend time with family
Traveling and exploring new places
Working, interning, or volunteering
Feeling academically overwhelmed
Training as an athlete
Exploring self and/or wanting to gain perspective
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will I be able to return to Harvard?
As long as you meet the expectations and conditions that were determined before you took your leave, it is fairly simple to return to Harvard after a leave of up to five years — most people do.
When can I take a leave?
Generally, you can take a leave at any point during the semester before Reading Period starts. However, note that if you petition to take a leave of absence after the tenth Monday of the semester, you will not be able to register for the next academic semester.
No petitions for leaves will be considered after the first day of Reading Period.
Do I have to pay for an entire semester of tuition if I leave early?
Students pay tuition, board, and fees in proportion to when in the semester they take the leave. For example, if your leave begins anywhere from Oct. 10 to Oct. 29, you are expected to pay half of your expected contribution for tuition.
For more information, please visit: Students’ Financial Obligations in the Event of a Leave of Absence or Requirement to Withdraw in the handbook; if you are on financial aid, you should reach out to your financial aid officer as well. If you return within five years, you will still be eligible for financial aid.
How will this appear on my transcript?
If you take a leave of absence before the seventh Monday, there will be no record of the semester on your transcript — it will effectively appear as if you took a gap semester.
Health-Related Considerations
If you are considering a leave for medical reasons (either for mental or physical health), the Dean of College may request access to your UHS medical records. However, the decision to disclose your medical records is entirely up to you; do not feel obliged to disclose anything you do not think is strictly relevant.
A medical leave generally comes with a “UHS rider,” which will specify conditions that you are expected to meet during your leave.
Depending on the specifications of your rider, these conditions may or may not include a “period of stability” for at least 6 months; most students fulfill this by getting a full-time job or two part-time jobs.
Steps to Taking a Leave
First, contact your Resident Dean if you are considering taking a leave of absence. They will handle the logistics for initiating a leave of absence with administration.
Your Resident Dean will send you a comprehensive list of everything you will need to take care of before leaving Harvard. Be sure to complete everything!
Generally, you should have a rough idea of what you want to do during your leave, whether that be volunteering, working, getting treatment for health concerns, and/or traveling.
Relax! This is your time off from Harvard. If you have any questions, your Resident Dean should be your point of contact.
Special Thanks to Shay Pezzulo!