Checklist: Return from Mandatory Leave

Students may return from Mandatory Leave of Absence once all academic work is finished satisfactorily and a formal Request to Return from Leave has been submitted to and approved by the College Office. The timeline for eligibility to return from Mandatory Leave of Absence is also contingent upon a student’s academic standing.

Students in good academic standing may request to return from Mandatory Leave by the relevant semester deadline (see below) once all incomplete grades are resolved and final grades have been posted to the transcript.

Conditions for Return from Mandatory Leave

The following conditions must be met before a student is eligible to return from Mandatory Leave:

  • All Incompletes must be resolved and final grades posted to the transcript.
  • Students who were not in good academic standing during the term in which they were placed on mandatory leave, or whose final grades in their incomplete courses make them eligible for academic probation, are placed on Mandatory Leave of Absence for a full academic year and are placed on academic probation when they return.
  • Any additional conditions for return specified in the original notification of Mandatory Leave must be satisfied before the beginning of the term in which the student wishes to enroll.
  • Students may be asked for additional documentation to help determine their readiness to successfully resume full-time studies.

Requesting a Return from Mandatory Leave

When a student is ready to request a return from a Mandatory Leave of Absence, the student must contact Dr. Doug Paletta in the College Office and ask for the Request to Return from Leave form. The form must be returned to the College Office by the relevant deadline (below).

Any return request for a particular semester submitted to the College later than the deadlines may be denied by the College. Timely submission of requests and documentation is a condition of all leaves.

All students returning from a Mandatory Leave of Absence will be required to meet with an advisor in the College Office to discuss their plan for re-integrating themselves in the academic community of the University. This discussion will include plans for completing the student’s degree program as well as the use of appropriate University support services.

The Return forms must be received by the College Office by:

  • July 15 for enrollment in the fall semester
  • November 15 for the spring semester
  • April 15 for the summer session
  • Two weeks before the beginning of the relevant Advance Registration period, if wishing to advance register.

Timely submission of requests and documentation is a condition of any return and any submission received after the relevant deadline may be denied.

General Steps for Return Once Approved

To ensure a smooth return to campus, students should contact the appropriate offices below and comply with any deadlines and procedures:

Update Contact Information

Update contact information in  Path@Penn.

See Student Registration and Financial Services to review the Return to Penn checklist

See Student Registration and Financial Services to review the Return to Penn checklist and understand any financial obligations when returning to Penn.

See Housing and Conference Services

 See Housing and Conference Services  if planning to live in University housing.

Complete an occupancy agreement with Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs

Complete an occupancy agreement with Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs to complete an occupancy agreement if planning to live in a fraternity or sorority house.

Arrange for a meal contract with Dining Services

Arrange for a meal contract with Dining Services if desired.

Update visa status with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

Update visa status with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) prior to returning to Penn.

Contact Student Health and Counseling to consult with an Insurance Administrator

Student Health and Counseling to consult with an Insurance Administrator about coverage, policies and procedures upon return. Any private insurance carrier should also be notified of re-enrollment.

Go to the PennCard Center if your card has expired

PennCard Office will reactivate their PennCard as soon as a student registers, provided the card has not expired. If the card has expired, the student should go directly to the PennCard Center. Additional questions should be directed to penncard@upenn.edu.

Check the appropriate dates on the academic calendar and use available resources to select courses

To prepare to register for the upcoming semester, returning students should check the appropriate dates on the academic calendar and use available resources to select courses. Students who discover that they are on hold during registration should contact the College Office.

Special Circumstances

Resolving Incompletes before Returning

Students with Incompletes will be required to resolve them and receive final grades for the courses in question before August 1 for a fall return, December 1 for a spring return and May 1 for a summer return.

Student Conduct Issues

If applicable, students will need to clear any pending issues with the Center for Community Standards and Accountability and the Office of the Associate Vice President for Equity and Title IX Officer before August 1 for a fall return, December 1 for a spring return and May 1 for a summer return.

Medical Circumstances

Students whose leave request indicated medical circumstances as at least part of the reason for that request will be required to present a treating clinician’s current evaluation of the medical condition to the relevant health office (Student Health and Counseling). The College, in consultation with these offices, will determine whether the results of the evaluation suffice to satisfy the conditions set forth in the original message granting approval for the leave.

Students on Financial Hold

Students who have been placed on financial hold by Student Financial Services office must resolve these issues and have the hold cleared before August 1 for a fall return, December 1 for a spring return and May 1 for a summer return.