Leave of Absence

Last Updated

February 04, 2023

Introduction
Academic Requirements
Admissions
Conduct and Safety
Financial Aid
Registration
GSAS students are classified as resident students (full time or part time) or non-resident students and must either check in and register through the FAS Registrar’s Office or apply for an alternate status through the Non-Residential Application Portal. The Registrar’s Office also tracks students’ year of graduate study (known as G year), which is calculated from the first date of registration in GSAS.

On this page:

Types of Leave
While on Leave of Absence
Health Insurance
Related Contacts and Forms

Students not engaged primarily in degree work are considered on Leave of Absence. Leaves of Absence fall into two categories:

Voluntary Leaves, including medical leave and family leave
Involuntary Leaves

While on Leave of Absence

Students on a leave of absence, like registered students, are expected to maintain a satisfactory standard of conduct.
The Registrar’s Office calculation of graduate-year (G-Year) does not stop while the student is on a leave of absence. Students may request a G-Year adjustment through their academic program administrator or graduate program coordinator.
Students on a leave of absence ordinarily may be charged facilities fees and/or active file fees (see chart below), and thus may have access to Harvard Library and email as set forth in the section on Non-Resident Students. They also may be charged rent, if they are residing in Harvard University Housing. GSAS grants to cover such fees are usually not available to students on leave.
If instructed by the GSAS dean of students, a student on leave must remain away from the campus and may not participate in any University activities. Such students will not be eligible to reside in Harvard housing and will be charged an active file fee, but not a facilities fee.
Students may not reside in GSAS residence halls while on a leave of absence. Current residents must notify the Office of Residential Life within five days of being approved for or placed on a leave of absence.
Repayment of educational loans cannot be deferred while on leave unless the student is registered at another school. Existing student loans may go into loan repayment during leave.
Students on a leave of absence may apply for and receive a degree, however, they must pay the facilities fee during their final term of enrollment prior to the conferral of their degree.

Financial Obligations While on Leave of Absence 2022-2023
Facilities Fee	Charge for non-resident leave status with full access to Harvard Library resources	$1,735 (per term)
Active File Fee	Charge for non-resident leave status with alumni access to Harvard Library resources	$150 (per term)

See a complete description of Harvard Library access for non-resident students in the non-resident students section.

Health Insurance

The date a student goes on leave will affect the student's health insurance through Harvard as outlined in the HUHS Leave of Absence/Withdrawal policy.