Voluntary Leaves of Absence

Last Updated

February 04, 2023

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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:

Voluntary Leaves of Absence
Leave of Absence for Medical Reasons
Family Leave of Absence
Related Contacts and Forms

Students may apply for a leave of absence for a single term or a year. In preparation, students should discuss their plans with their advisor and with their financial aid officer.

Students are not usually approved for a leave of absence during their first year.
Leaves of longer than a year are granted only in unusual circumstances, for example, if the student wishes to obtain a separate professional degree or if they are on active service in the US military or other documented military service.
Students should consult their financial aid officer concerning the financial implications of going on leave.
Students who plan to teach more than six-fifths over the course of a year must apply for a leave of absence and serve as a teaching assistant instead of a teaching fellow.

International Students

Immigration regulations require F-1 or J-1 visa holders to maintain full-time enrollment as a resident student while in the United States. F-1 or J-1 students who are considering applying for leave of absence must speak to an advisor in the Harvard International Office to obtain approval of their application.

Health Insurance

The date a student goes on leave will affect the student's health insurance through Harvard. For details, review the Leave of Absence policy on the HUHSP website, or contact the Student Health Insurance Office, Member Services, at 617-495-2008 or mservices@huhs.harvard.edu.

Leave of Absence for Medical Reasons

In reviewing requests for a voluntary leave of absence for medical reasons, the Office of Student Affairs may consult with Harvard University Health Services and/or the Disability Access Office, who may consider information from the student’s current and/or former health care providers, if made available by the student.

Family Leave of Absence

Students of any gender enrolled at GSAS may take a family leave of absence of up to two semesters for the birth or adoption of a child, childcare, or care of an immediate family member with a serious health condition. In preparation, students should discuss their plans with their financial aid officer.

Students should review the Parental Accommodation and Financial Support program before deciding to apply for a family leave of absence.

Students are expected to notify their advisors and their directors of graduate studies as early as possible about their plans to take a family leave of absence so that appropriate accommodations can be made to cover any teaching or research responsibilities.
Students are eligible for a departmental G-Year adjustment of one year, regardless of whether they take leave for one or two semesters; requests should be made through their academic program administrator or graduate program coordinator.
Academic requirements (such as postponement of exams and course requirements) may be adjusted in consideration of the student’s leave.