Leaves of Absence and Withdrawals
High Point University > Global Education > Immigration Matters > Leaves of Absence and Withdrawals

Students with F-1/J-1 status may find that they need to take a leave of absence (LOA), withdraw, or transfer from school for a variety of reasons, including personal or family leaves, medical leaves, or temporary withdrawals from study to participate in non-academic study or work abroad experiences.

A leave of absence is not the same as a suspension or expulsion, in which you are required to stop studying temporarily or permanently due to reasons such as required academic withdrawals or conduct violations. It also is different from a withdrawal, which permanently severs your enrollment at HPU and requires applying for readmission if you decide to later return. Leaves are generally voluntary, have a start and end date, and do not remove your eligibility to return to school at a later time. Often, a LOA will permit the student to be absent from HPU for the remainder of the semester, but require that they return to full-time enrollment the following term. A student on leave may request an extension if the reason for the LOA requires the student be absent for additional time, understanding that requests are not automatically approved.

If you are planning to take a leave, you must notify the Office of Global Education BEFORE withdrawing or stopping studies. In most cases, going on a LOA requires you to leave the U.S. Depending on the type and the length of the leave, different immigration procedures may be required. Your DSO must authorize the LOA prior to officially taking the leave from HPU.

Procedures

The required procedures will vary depending on the type and reason for the leave, and the expected duration of the leave. Generally, you’ll need to follow these steps:

  1. Review the Leave and Withdrawal Policy, but do not submit a Leave of Absence Form or Withdrawal Form, yet.
  2. Consult with your Academic Dean (undergraduate students) or program (graduate students).
  3. Inform your international student advisor in the Office of Global Education of your intentions so that you can get guidance on immigration procedures and requirements.
  4. Obtain approval for a Medical Reduced Course Load (RCL) or an Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW) termination of your SEVIS record from your P/DSO or A/RO.
  5. Submit the Leave of Absence Form or Withdrawal Form through the Office of Student Life.

Important Notes:

  • A Leave of Absence, when approved, is valid for the duration of the semester, in which you may remain in active status with HPU. You will register for courses and housing for the following term as normal. If your situation requires a leave through the following semester, you can request an extension with the Office of Student Life.
  • A Withdrawal will not require renewal, but when you decide to return to campus, you will have to apply for readmission. Unfortunately, you will lose priority registration. Provided you meet the eligibility requirements, you may be able to have scholarships or grants reinstated, however the Office of Student Financial Planning would need to be consulted as the situation can be unique for each student.
  • An RCL, when authorized, is valid for the duration of the semester. If your situation requires a continuation of your medical RCL, you can request your Medical RCL be reauthorized on your SEVIS record. Reduced Course Loads are only eligible for a maximum aggregate of 12 months.
  • An AEW, when authorized, does not need require reauthorization. If you’re is able to return to campus within five months, we can re-activate your SEVIS record. If you have been out of the country for more than five months, however, you will have to request a new SEVIS record from HPU, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee for the new SEVIS ID, and return to the U.S. with your new Form I-20/DS-2019.

LOA Effects on Travel and Status in the U.S.

  • If a leave of absence is requested while you are outside the U.S., you are generally not eligible to return to the U.S. as an F-1/J-1 student once the leave goes into effect.
  • If you are inside the U.S. when requesting a leave, you are generally given 15 days following the approval of the leave to depart the U.S., but you must notify the Office of Global Education of the leave of absence and have an Authorized Early Withdrawal approved and noted in SEVIS before you are actually withdrawn from classes. Failure to do this may result in an Unauthorized Withdrawal Termination of your SEVIS record, which may cause challenges in regaining F-1/J-1 status or re-entering the U.S. Unauthorized Withdrawals also result in no grace period, requiring you to depart the U.S. immediately.
  • If you are on a leave of absence and outside of the U.S. for more than five months, you may need to obtain a new Form I-20/DS-2019 in order to return and complete at least one full academic year before re-qualifying for practical training (CPT or OPT) or Academic Training benefits.

This last point is especially important for students who take a leave of absence close to the final semester of study. Please continue to stay in contact with your international student advisor to ensure the proper maintenance of your immigration status. Please also be mindful of your Form I-20/DS-2019. You will need this document to re-enter the U.S. If your visa document needs an updated travel signature, contact the Office of Global Education to make arrangements so we can assist you with this. Additionally, a new student visa may be needed to re-enter the United States.

LOA Effects on CPT/OPT/Academic Training

SEVP mandates that the International Center terminate a student’s F-1 or J-1 status if they are on a non-study abroad LOA. If your F-1 or J-1 status is terminated, you must return to High Point University for two consecutive semesters in full-time status in order to be eligible for post-completion Optional Practical Training, Curricular Practical Training, or Academic Training. If you are returning from a LOA during your last semester at HPU, you need to be aware of the fact that you will lose your eligibility for post-completion Optional Practical Training or Academic Training.

Returning to HPU after a LOA

When you are ready to return to HPU after a LOA, please notify the Office of Global Education 2-3 months prior to your intended return to request a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. Your P/DSO or A/RO will assist you with this process. You cannot return to the U.S. with your previous Form I-20/DS-2019 unless you receive written confirmation from the Office of Global Education that you may do so.

  • If you are an undergraduate student, you will need to obtain clearance from your Academic Dean prior to returning, unless you are returning from a study abroad experience. You must clear any registration holds and finish any incomplete courses before you will be eligible to receive a new Form I-20/DS-2019 to return to campus.
  • Graduate students will need to obtain clearance from your department and the Graduate School.

To qualify for a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, the Office of Global Education will need:

  • Confirmation of approval from your Academic Dean or department that you are eligible to resume studies at HPU.
  • Updated financial documents showing that you have sufficient funds for:
    • at least one year of full-time tuition, fees, and living expenses (for a Form I-20), or
    • the duration of your exchange program (Form DS-2019).

SEVIS Record Reactivation Request

Eligibility Criteria

If your SEVIS record was terminated for “Authorized Early Withdrawal” and if you plan to return to the U.S. within 5 months of starting your leave of absence, you can request a “Reactivation” of your F-1/J-1 status. The Reactivation changes your F-1/J-1 status back to “Active.” Reactivation preserves your eligibility for OPT/CPT/AT associated with any previously completed semesters. It also preserves your payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee so you will not need to pay a new I-901 fee if your SEVIS record is reactivated.

Approval for Reactivation is granted by SEVP, not by HPU, so there is no guarantee of a successful Reactivation.

To be eligible for SEVIS Reactivation, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. Maintained F-1/J-1 visa status prior to requesting an Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW).
  2. Was enrolled as a full-time student at the time of requesting an Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW).
  3. Departed the U.S. no later than 15 days of the SEVIS termination for Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW).
  4. Seek readmission within five months of departure.
  5. Will begin courses within five months of attending courses the previous semester.
  6. Enrolled as a full-time student the semester of return.

Submit a SEVIS Record Reactivation Request

Upon confirming your eligibility for a SEVIS Record Reactivation, contact your P/DSO or A/RO to submit a SEVIS Record Reactivation Request, providing the following information:

  1. Date you departed the U.S.
  2. Date of planned return to the U.S.
  3. Confirmation of full-time enrollment in upcoming semester.
  4. Confirmation of approval of return from leave from the appropriate office or staff person as applicable to your program.
  5. Date you last attended class.
  6. Date you requested your Leave of Absence.

You may submit your reactivation request at any time, but we are unable to request it through SEVP until, at the earliest, 60 days prior to the next semester start date.

If your Reactivation request is not approved, you will need to request a new Form I-20/DS-2019 and pay a new SEVIS I-901 fee.