Undergraduate Students Taking a Voluntary Leave of Absence (LOA)
An undergraduate student who voluntarily leaves SAIC, either during the semester or between semesters, but does not return for the next major academic semester, may request to be placed on a Leave of Absence (LOA). This will allow the student to return to SAIC without appealing to the Academic Review Board, or reapplying for admission. To take an LOA, the student needs to meet with an Academic Advisor for an exit interview and to complete an LOA form.
Any new student leaving before the end of the add/drop period in their first semester should contact the Admissions office.
Undergraduate Students Seeking to Return from a Voluntary Leave of Absence (RLOA)
An undergraduate student on LOA may return within five years of their last date of attendance. In order to return, the student must begin a reinstatement process by filling out the reinstatement form here: Return from Leave of Absence Request.
After the student completes the Return from Leave of Absence Request, Academic Advising staff will review the request, and the student will receive a follow up response to their SAIC email address within five business days.
Students are advised to complete the request at least 30 days prior to the date of their desired return to allow sufficient time to complete the reinstatement process. No request for reinstatement will be considered if it is not received by Academic Advising a minimum of two weeks before the first day of classes for the desired return term. The statute of limitations for finishing the undergraduate programs is ten years, which includes the interim period spent on LOA.
Students may take multiple LOAs during their career, however, the total time spent on LOAs may not exceed five years. If the student seeks to re-enroll five years or longer after the last date attended, they must re-apply through the Admissions office.
Requests for Exceptions to Existing LOA Policies
Students who wish to be reinstated and need an exception to the above Voluntary Leave policies (e.g., an extension of the LOA period, an extension of the statute of limitations, a request for reinstatement made less than two weeks before the first day of classes for that term) should contact Academic Advising to determine the appropriate process for appeal, typically to the Academic Review Board.
Undergraduate Student Administrative Leave of Absence (Admin LOA)
An undergraduate student on Administrative Leave of Absence (did not re-enroll at SAIC and did not complete voluntary LOA process) may appeal to return within five years of their last date of attendance. In order to return, the student should contact Academic Advising to determine the appropriate process for appeal, typically to the Academic Review Board.
