Continuing graduate students in good standing may be eligible for a leave of absence.
Continuing Students
Continuing graduate students in good standing (3.0 GPA or above) who have completed at least one term of UCLA graduate work may, with the support of their department and the approval of the Division of Graduate Education, be eligible for a leave of absence. Graduate students are allowed a maximum of three quarters of official leave of absence. Additional requests are reviewed in exceptional circumstances.
Students submit a leave of absence request through the Graduate Education leave of absence web page.
Students returning to the University after an absence of two or more consecutive terms must submit a statement of legal residence (SLR) to the Registrar’s Office and are assessed registration fees.
International Students
International students must consult with the Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars before applying for a leave of absence. Federal policy governing students on F-1 and J-1 visas restricts leaves of absence to certain conditions. The Dashew Center, in consultation with the Division of Graduate Education, individually evaluates each international graduate student request for a leave of absence to determine that it meets federal (and university) eligibility criteria.
Limitations
Students on approved leave of absence are not permitted to use faculty time or make use of University facilities for more than 12 hours since their last registration, and are not eligible for apprentice personnel employment or other services normally available to registered students. There is no need to apply for readmission, since the approved leave is for readmission to a specific term.
Student Health Insurance
Students on approved leave of absence may enroll voluntarily in UCSHIP. Plan coverage may be purchased for a maximum of one semester or two quarters. See the Ashe Center voluntary UCSHIP web page for information about insurance for nonregistered students.