Catalog 2024-2025

D.5.e. Leave of Absence

What is a leave of absence?  Under certain circumstances a student may apply for Leave of Absence status from the College. Leave of Absence status indicates a continuing relationship with the College that allows the student to resume studies within a particular time-frame without reapplication for admission. Leave of Absence status is limited to students who plan to return to Hendrix within the designated leave period. The maximum allotted time for Leave of Absence status is one full semester from the point at which the leave is requested.

How do I apply for a leave of absence?

  • Obtain a Leave of Absence application form from the Office of Advising and Academic Success. 
  • Schedule an exit interview with one of the following offices: Dean of Students, Academic Success, or Student Outreach. 
  • Following the interview, the student should complete the leave of absence form, sign and submit the completed form to the Office of the Registrar.

What happens to my grades if I take a leave of absence?

  • A student requesting a leave of absence before the last day to withdraw from classes with a W will be dropped from all courses for which the student is currently enrolled and for any classes in a future semester for which the student is currently registered. 
  • Students requesting a leave of absence during the semester, but after the date to withdraw from courses with a W, receive the grades that they have earned in the courses.
  • Grades of I (incomplete) and NR (no report) are not available to students who take a leave of absence. 
  • Students who have NR and/or grades on the transcript on the date the leave is approved will retain those existing NR and/or I grades subject to the associated policy deadlines for conversion of these grades.  If any of these grades remain as or NR upon return to Hendrix, the student will have one semester to resolve how these grades, as well as any in progress capstone project grades, will be resolved using a new deadline.  

What are other implications of a leave of absence?

  • Students are expected to leave the campus upon completion of the leave of absence process and are not permitted on campus for reasons other than official College business.
  • Taking a leave of absence may have a negative impact on grades, credits, financial refunds, financial aid, student charges and access to housing and other College facilities
  • It is the student’s responsibility to understand these ramifications.
  • Students who do not return to Hendrix within two semesters are considered to have withdrawn voluntarily from the College and forfeit their security deposit.  

How do I return to campus? 

  • Contact the Registrar's Office by July 1 for a fall semester return and by December 1 for a spring semester return. 
  • Students who voluntarily withdraw may reapply for admission through the Office of Admission.


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