The Leave of Absence Policy is designed for students who have had significant life circumstances impact their ability to maintain good academic standing and who may need to take a break from their current academic coursework (i.e. illness of family member, personal illness, significant financial distress or life changing circumstances).
Traditional degree seeking undergraduate students who will not be registered for Gardner-Webb University academic credit during a given semester (fall/spring) may apply for a leave of absence. A leave of absence is approved when there are extenuating circumstances that prevent the student from attending classes. Listed below are typically reasons a student would request a leave of absence:
Students must be otherwise in good academic, student code of conduct, and financial standing. All program admission requirements, programmatic and degree requirements, departmental student handbook and accreditation requirements, at the time of student’s return, will apply. Policy may be appealed under certain circumstances.
Upon formal approval of the leave, a specific termination date by which a student must either re-enroll or request an extension is assigned. An extension of the approved leave of absence can be applied for by emailing the Office of Retention at [email protected] with a request for the amount of additional time needed. A leave of absence, including extensions, is not given for more than two years during the time a student is pursuing an undergraduate degree. A student who does not re-enroll by the end of the approved leave of absence is considered to have voluntarily withdrawn from the University. The maximum of two years allowed on leave of absence applies even when those semesters are not consecutive.
Forms requesting a leave of absence are available online; student must then obtain the signatures of the Student Accounts Office, Advising Center and meet with the Office of Retention.
Any registered student who experiences medical trauma or chronic illness that may prevent completing the semester may apply for a medical withdrawal from the University. A medical withdrawal request must be filed with the Registrar’s Office prior to the start of final exams and must include documentation submitted from a physician or psychologist trained in the diagnosis of the medical condition.
A qualifying medical condition, as determined by the physician or psychologist, must prevent the student from participating in all classes remaining during the current semester. A medical withdrawal is a complete withdrawal from the University. The supporting documentation from a physician or psychologist accompanying the medical withdrawal request must be submitted on official letterhead from the physician or psychologist and must be addressed to the Gardner- Webb University Registrar. The medical documentation must also include the physician or psychologist’s name, title, professional credentials, license and certification number, and should address the following:
A student will be notified of the decision following the review of the medical documentation. If the request is approved, the student will receive a final grade of “W” for each class (except in instances of Academic Dishonesty).
Upon medical withdrawal from the University, a student must apply for readmission to the University to continue studies. The student must provide documentation from the same physician or psychologist, when possible, stating the student is able to continue studies at the University. This documentation should follow the same format as the above.
