Medical Leave & Re-Entry

A student with a mental health and/or physical health condition may apply for a voluntary Medical Leave of Absence from the University. The Medical Leave of Absence and Medical Re-Entry Policies describe the circumstances under which a student may request a Medical Leave of Absence, and the procedures the student must follow. 

Students may also initiate the process for Medical Leave of Absence by completing the Withdrawal Form, which is available on MyDU, citing health/medical as the reason for withdrawal.

You can learn more about the Medical Leave of Absence by contacting Student Outreach & Support at sos@du.edu.

Medical Leave of Absence Process at a Glance

  • Medical Withdrawal Considerations
    • Students receiving financial aid should check with the Office of Financial Aid at 303-871-4020 about loan, scholarship and other financial aid consequences.
    • Student employees should contact employment services in the Office of Financial Aid at 303-871-4020.
    • Students with graduate assistantships should contact the Office Of Graduate Education at 303-871-2706.
    • International students in the United States with F-1 or J-1 visa status must contact International Student & Scholar Services at 303-871-4912.
    • Student Athletes must contact Student Athlete Support Services at 303-871-4532.
    • Students insured through the University Student Health Insurance Plan should check with the Health & Counseling Center at 303-871-2205 about their health insurance coverage.
    • For more information regarding eligibility requirements and coverage for the DU Student Health Insurance Plan, currently underwritten by United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR), please refer to the plan summary.
    • Students living on-campus must vacate their residence within 72 hours of withdrawing from classes.
    • If a medical leave of absence is approved, a hold is placed on the student's accounts. The re-entry process described lower on this page explains how to remove this hold when applying for re-entry.
    • Similar documentation must be provided when students apply for re-entry.
  • Retroactive Medical Withdrawal

    Students who submit incomplete Medical Leave Applications or submit applications after the last day of the term will be referred to the Academic Exceptions Committee for retroactive withdrawal. The student must complete and file a petition through MyDU.

    Medical documentation must reflect that the student had a consultation—either in-person or virtually via tele-health—with the treating physician, licensed mental health provider, or other licensed healthcare provider during the term for which the student is requesting the retroactive withdrawal for medical reasons.

    Please note that retroactive medical withdrawal processes are handled by the office of Academic Affairs.

    Learn More About Retroactive Medical Withdrawal

  • Campus Housing Considerations
    • Students living in University housing should contact Housing & Residential Education directly at 303-871-2246 or housing@du.edu for any questions. More detailed information about the check-out procedures can be found at Steps for Moving out Mid-Quarter.
    • Students in the process of obtaining a Medical Leave of Absence approval who want to move out immediately should remove all belongings from their room, make sure the room is cleaned, return all keys to the front desk of the building and email housing@du.edu to give notice of the move-out due to pending Medical Leave.
    • Students who have withdrawn from classes for the quarter must, within 72 hours, remove all belongings from their room, make sure the room is cleaned, return all keys to the front desk of the building and email housing@du.edu to give notice of the move-out due to Medical Leave.
    • All room and meal plan charges will be prorated to the day of check out, pending MLOA approval.
    • Students must complete a new housing application for their expected quarter of return and will be placed on a waitlist for a new room assignment. Original residential buildings and room assignments cannot be reserved; however, Housing & Residential Education will attempt to make the assignments before the start of the quarter after Medical Re-Entry has been approved.

Medical Re-Entry Process at a Glance

Medical Re-Entry Considerations

  • Students must clear any registration holds via MyDU prior to registering for classes and updating contact information. For assistance with your MyDU account, contact Information Technology at 303-871-4700 or http://support.du.edu.
  • Students are responsible for securing financial aid, if needed, for the quarters in which they plan to re-enroll, and are subject to the same financial aid deadlines as continuing students. For information on applying for financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 303-871-4020.
  • International students in the United States with F-1 or J-1 visa status must contact International Student & Scholar Services at 303-871-4912.
  • Student athletes should contact Student Athlete Support Services at 303-871-4406.
  • Students previously living in University housing must contact Housing & Residential Education at 303-871-2246 or housing@du.edu to complete a housing application for the quarter they desire to return. Returning students may be placed on a waitlist for new room assignments while the re-entry application is pending. Following approval, Housing & Residential Education will make a room assignment for the student based on availability.