Leave of Absence
It is the experience of Trident that students who pursue an uninterrupted course of study have the highest probability of successfully completing their degree programs. Those students are also the best performers in their degree programs and receive the maximum benefit from their learning experience. Trident also realizes that adult learners face unforeseen circumstances in their lives requiring temporary breaks in enrollment or interruption of their program of study.
Generally, when professional or personal obligations will prevent students from enrolling in a future session, a formal request for a Leave of Absence (LOA) must be submitted through the TLC Portal. To be eligible for a LOA for a future session, students must be currently enrolled in and complete the session preceding the LOA. If a LOA has already been approved for a future session, and a student withdraws from the session preceding the requested LOA, the LOA may be approved as of the withdrawal date. Students not officially or conditionally admitted to Trident are not eligible for a Leave of Absence. The request for a Leave of Absence must include the reason for the leave and the future session(s) for which the leave is requested. Requests for a LOA must be received and approved prior to census in the session for which the LOA is sought. If the LOA is approved and the course(s) that fall under the LOA time frame are dropped, the student must follow the published University Refund Policy. In the event a student is incapacitated and unable to submit a timely request or provide advance notice, a family member or other authorized individual may make the written request (supporting documentation may be required), or the student may make the request at the earliest opportunity. The request will be approved if all requirements for the LOA are met and there is a reasonable expectation the student will return from the LOA. Once the student is reported as withdrawn, a LOA cannot be approved.
Requests will be considered, and status changes will be approved on a case-by-case basis. In approving the LOA, the deciding official must conclude there is reason to believe the student will return at the conclusion of the LOA. Approval or denial of the request will be communicated to the student in writing, and a copy will be added to the student’s file. The approval will set forth the LOA start date as well as the official return date. Students may extend a LOA with a written request prior to the original stated LOA return date. Students requesting second LOAs must return and attend a full session before being allowed to request a second LOA.
When circumstances leading to the LOA affect an active or current session, a grade of “Incomplete” and extension may be sought for the current course(s). (See Trident’s policy on Course Extensions policy.) If the extension request is approved, the student must complete the course(s) by the deadline and return as an active matriculating student by the LOA return date.
Leaves of Absence are limited to a maximum of 180 days in any 12-month period including breaks and holidays. The 180-day period begins on the first day of the original LOA and may limited to a shorter period based on available session start dates. Pursuant to the provisions of Title IV of the Higher Education Act, students on federal financial aid are urged to first contact their financial aid advisor regarding the impact of the LOA on their eligibility.
During the Leave of Absence, students will not be considered withdrawn but may not apply for or receive federal financial aid (although if they have a credit balance, those funds may be returned to the student). Trident will not assess any additional charges to the student’s account while the student is on an approved LOA.
The following reasons support the application for a LOA (though others may be considered):
- A medical condition of the student or a medical condition affecting a member of the student’s family that would be covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), including birth or adoption of a child
- Military deployment
- Jury duty for a sustained period
- Other situations which result in unavoidable breaks in class attendance, if approved by Trident
Failure to Return from Approved Leave of Absence
Students who fail to return to active status by the LOA return date will be considered withdrawn as of the date the LOA began. This may obligate financial aid students to return aid monies previously disbursed. If a student is deemed as withdrawn and has federal student loans, the six-month grace period for repayment will have begun on the first day of the LOA. Students enrolled in attendance-taking programs will be considered withdrawn as of the last date of academic attendance. Repayment will begin on the last date of academic attendance. All students who are deemed as withdrawn must submit a request for readmission.