Leave of Absence
A leave of absence (LOA) is an authorized period of time away from your academic work. The period of time must always coincide with an entire academic term and follow pre-established term start and end dates. When you are approved to be on a leave of absence for a given term, your enrollment status changes from an actively enrolled student to an unenrolled student on leave from Harvard Griffin GSAS. You can apply for a leave of absence through a NORA application.
Term dates for leave of absence (academic year 2026–27)
Fall term
- Incoming students: September 2–December 19, 2026
- Continuing students: July 1–December 19, 2026
Spring term
- All students: January 25–May 15, 2027
When you file an LOA in NORA, your leave will always start on the effective term start date listed above, even if you indicate a later start date on your NORA application. You cannot take a leave for less than an entire term, and you cannot return from leave before a subsequent term begins.
Impact on Your Financial Support
Students on LOA are not eligible to receive financial aid, including stipends of any kind, during the term of their leave.
Tuition grants
Because tuition is not charged during an approved leave of absence, students are not eligible to receive tuition support during that term.
In cases where a leave is approved to begin midterm (medical crisis or other emergency or unforeseen event), tuition charges are adjusted on a case-by-case basis based on the circumstances of each situation. Financial support may be available to cover prorated tuition; however, this support could impact your ability to receive full funding in a future term.
Health Fees
Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP) coverage will end when students take a leave of absence from the University.
The coverage end date is determined by the last date of attendance as recorded by the Registrar’s Office. These dates are outlined on the HUSHP Leave of Absence/Withdrawal webpage.
Financial support may be available to cover any prorated health fees; however, this support could impact your ability to receive full funding in a future term.
Students have the option to purchase six months of extended HUSHP coverage at their own expense to continue uninterrupted coverage during an approved leave. More information is available on the HUSHP Leave of Absence/Withdrawal webpage.
Stipends
Students on LOA are not eligible to receive stipend payments. Any stipend payments scheduled after your LOA effective date will be canceled.
Students who apply for a leave after the start of a term, or who are subsequently placed on leave, may be required to return stipend funds, including subsidies and other related payments already disbursed for the leave period. Students should consult their financial aid officer to understand the financial implications of a leave.
In cases involving extraordinary circumstances, exceptions or additional flexibility regarding stipend repayment may be considered on an individual basis.
Withdrawal
Impact on Your Financial Support
Students who have withdrawn are not eligible to receive financial aid, including stipends of any kind, after their date of withdrawal.
Tuition Grants
In cases where a student withdraws midterm, tuition charges are adjusted on a case-by-case basis based on the circumstances of each situation. Financial support may be available to cover prorated tuition.
Health Fees
HUSHP coverage will end when students withdraw from the University.
The coverage end date is determined by the last date of attendance as recorded by the Registrar’s Office. These dates are outlined on the HUSHP Leave of Absence/Withdrawal webpage.
Financial support may be available to cover any prorated health fees.
Students have the option to purchase six months of extended HUSHP coverage at their own expense. More information is available on the HUSHP Leave of Absence/Withdrawal webpage.
Stipends
Students who withdraw are not eligible to receive stipend payments. Any stipend payments scheduled after your effective date of withdrawal will be canceled.
Students who withdraw after the start of a term may be required to return stipend funds, including subsidies and other related payments already disbursed for the term or academic year. Students should consult their financial aid officer to understand the financial implications of withdrawing.
In cases involving extraordinary circumstances, exceptions or additional flexibility regarding stipend repayment may be considered on an individual basis.
Graduation
Impact on Your Financial Support
Students who have graduated are not eligible to receive financial aid, including stipends of any kind, after their graduation month.
Tuition Grants
Students graduating in November are not charged fall tuition and are not eligible to receive tuition support for that term.
Students graduating in February are not charged spring tuition and are not eligible to receive tuition support for that term. However, they are charged fall tuition for the preceding term and may be eligible to receive tuition support for that term.
Students graduating in May are charged both fall and spring tuition and may be eligible to receive tuition support for both terms.
Health Fees
HUSHP coverage, including the Student Health Fee and Student Health Insurance Plan, cannot be extended after a student’s last day of eligible coverage.
The coverage end date for students graduating in November varies. Students who submit their approved dissertations to ProQuest ETD on or before September 2, 2026, will have their health coverage canceled retroactive to July 31, 2026; students who use the health insurance during this period will have their charges prorated. Students who submit their approved dissertations to ProQuest ETD on September 3, 2026, will retain their health coverage through January 31, 2027, and will need to pay the charges at their own expense.
The coverage end date for students graduating in February is January 31.
The coverage end date for students graduating in May is July 31.
Stipends
Students who graduate are not eligible to receive stipend payments. Any stipend payments scheduled after your graduation date will be canceled.
Students who graduate in November or February may be required to return stipend funds, including subsidies and other related payments already disbursed for the term or academic year. Students should consult their financial aid officer to understand the financial implications of graduation.