Leaves and Returns

If you intend to return to RPI in the future, or wish to have the option of returning, you would request a Leave of Absence. If you plan to leave RPI permanently, with no intention of returning, you would request a Withdrawal.

To leave RPI in good standing, please complete the following:

1. Complete the Undergraduate Voluntary Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Request form online.
2. Upon receipt of your online form, a Student Support Dean will email you to schedule an exit meeting with them, during which you will review the Leaving RPI Checklist and finalize your request.

While you are part of the larger RPI community while away, because of your status as an inactive student, it is important for you to understand how you can interact with RPI.

Communication

Please keep up relationships with friends via social media or meeting up off campus. Additionally, you may continue to remain in contact with your faculty advisor and/or advising hub, and others with whom you have strong connections. And of course, keeping in touch with a Student Support Dean and keeping them updated on your plans is welcome.

Use of campus facilities

Those on a leave of absence are considered inactive students, and thus are not permitted to utilize campus resources including, but not limited to, classrooms, labs, recreational spaces, athletic facilities, campus housing, dining halls, and Institute services (ex. Student Health Center). In general, you are expected to remain off the campus while you are on a leave of absence.

Participation in Clubs and Organizations

We understand that connections to clubs and organizations is one of the hallmarks of the RPI experience. While you are welcome to keep in contact with members of groups you belong to, you may not participate in clubs or attend any on-campus events during your time away.

You and a Student Support Dean may have made a plan for possible activities you will engage in while away. Depending on the reason for your leave, any number of activities may be appropriate. Here are our general suggestions. Note that the Student Health/Counseling Center or Academic Standing Committee may require specific activities. Please refer to your leave of absence letter for details.

Take Your Time

It is recommended that students on a leave of absence remain away for enough time to sufficiently address the reasons for their leave, typically a year. While some students do return after a semester, there is often not enough time between the leave date and the return application date to address the reasons for the leave. RPI does not have a time out policy - you can return when you are ready and pick up where you left off.

Get the Help You Need

We strongly recommend seeking support from family, friends, and formal treatment from doctors, therapists, etc. as appropriate. Note that if you receive medical/psychological treatment during your leave of absence, your provider(s) will need to complete the Readiness to Return form on your behalf as part of your Return Request.

Take Classes

Many students find it helpful to engage in academic work while away. This may help you stay on track academically, and if academics were part of the reason for your leave, taking courses helps to demonstrate you are ready to return. You can find out more about transfer credits here. Note that if you take courses at another college/university during your leave, you will need to submit transcripts as part of your Return Request.

Work, engage in new activities, and pursue vocational counseling

Depending on the reason for your leave, you may choose to work or explore new possible majors and careers. This is especially helpful if you left to take time to figure out what you want to do.

What happens to my classes if I leave in the middle of a semester?

Leaves taken prior to the add/drop deadline will result in deletion of the courses for that semester. Leaves taken after the add/drop deadline will result in W grades (Ws do not count in academic standing calculations or GPA calculation). If the student is registered for a semester in the future, that registration is cancelled when the student takes a leave.

What will my transcript show if I take a leave of absence? 

Leaves taken prior to the add/drop deadline will not be noted on the transcript. Leaves taken after the add/drop deadline will display W grades and a notation of the leave of absence/withdrawal with the date.

How does a leave of absence impact my financial aid for the current semester if I leave in the middle of it?

For information about federal and institutional financial aid adjustments, please review this website.

How does a leave of absence impact my bill for the current semester?

Students may be entitled to an adjustment of charges or a refund of amounts overpaid. Tuition, on-campus housing, and meal plan adjustments are made according to this schedule:

Activity and health fees are nonrefundable except where the leave/withdrawal is made prior to the first day of the semester.

What happens to my federal student loans while on a leave of absence?

Federal student loans will begin a repayment process approximately six months after the leave/withdrawal takes effect.

Can I keep the RPI student health insurance while I’m away?

Yes, you may elect to keep your RPI student health insurance by contacting healthins@rpi.edu or 518-276-6287.

How does taking a leave impact my F-1 immigration status?

F-1 students must leave the U.S. within a specific time frame after the effective date. This time frame changes depending on the type of leave. Connect with International Services to learn more about the timing.

What happens during the exit meeting?

Students leaving RPI will complete an exit meeting with a Student Support Dean. For medical leaves, the Clinical Case Manager from Student Health & Counseling will also join. Together, you will review the Leaving RPI checklist and make a plan for your leave and return to RPI.

Can I take courses at another school while on leave from RPI?

Yes. Courses taken at another school during a leave fall under the same requirements as other transfer credits. Students should consult the Transfer Course Guide and their advisor/hub, and should complete the Transfer Credit Approval Form before enrolling in courses elsewhere.

May I be on the RPI campus during my leave of absence?

No. Inactive students are not permitted to utilize campus resources including, but not limited to, classrooms, labs, recreational spaces, athletic facilities, campus housing, dining halls, and Institute services (ex. Student Health Center), nor participate in clubs or organizations, and are expected to remain off the campus.

Can I stay connected with faculty/staff at RPI?

Students on a leave of absence retain access to SIS, RPI Email and several others systems for up to one calendar year from the effective date of their leave. They will be able to easily communicate with Student Support Deans, faculty, various offices on campus, and view unofficial transcripts for planning purposes while away. Students on medical leave can also communicate with the Clinical Case Manager in Student Health & Counseling.

Click here for detailed steps on returning from an academic suspension/dismissal.

Click here for detailed steps on returning from a financial leave of absence.

Click here for detailed steps on returning from a medical leave of absence.

Click here for detailed steps on returning from a personal leave of absence.

Can I extend my leave of absence?

There is no maximum amount of time you can be away; we want you to return when you are ready.

What can I expect of the return process?

The return process is designed to make sure that students are ready to return successfully to RPI. After you submit a return request online, we will check that your account is free of holds. If there are holds on your account, we will notify you to promptly resolve them before we can move you forward in the process. Student Experience staff member(s) will review your return request.

• Requests to return from medical leave are reviewed by the Clinical Case Manager in Student Health & Counseling, along with the Readiness to Return form(s) submitted by your providers.
• Requests to return from academic suspension/dismissal are reviewed by the Student Success Center, along with grades of courses taken while away.

Once a decision has been made about your return, you will be notified. If approved, you will be reactivated as a student and provided with a checklist of items to prepare for your return. Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis. If we have all the necessary materials for your return request, you can expect a decision with two weeks.

Is the return process competitive?

No, the return process is not competitive. We look at each student’s return request individually to review the student’s readiness to return to RPI. We will approve as many as possible, and typically 150-200 students return to RPI each year.

For what reasons will my return request be denied?

Most returns denials are procedural, including missing paperwork, submitting a request after the return deadline, or if holds remain unresolved past the return deadline. 

For returns from medical leave, RPI makes decisions based on the advisement of your treating professional. We want you to come back and be successful and we maintain a very high approval rating for returns. 

For returns from academic suspension/dismissal, students may be denied if the courses taken to return do not meet the grade or credit requirements outline in the leave letter.

Do I need new F-1 immigration documents to return after a leave?

Students will need a new I-20 to return after a leave, but may or may not need a new F-1 visa. Connect with International Services to learn more about when to apply for the new I-20 and to discuss if a new F-1 visa is needed.

What resources can help me in my transition back to RPI?

Upon your return to campus, you will be invited to attend Returning Student Orientation. You are also welcome and encouraged to meet regularly with a Student Support Dean in your returning semester. As an active student, you regain access to all the support services on campus.

I submitted a return request, but now I don’t think I’m ready to go back. What should I do?

Please email doso@rpi.edu to let us know that you no longer wish to return for the semester indicated. To return in a future semester, you will need to complete the return process again before the posted deadline.

Should I go through the return process if I just need my accounts reactivated in order to graduate?

No. If you have completed your degree requirements, please contact the associate dean of your school to have your accounts reactivated and be registered for Final Admin Registration (FAR).