Returning from a Leave of Absence

In order to begin readmission, you must have a conversation with your advisor and must do the following two things:

1. Submit the Return from Leave form requesting to resume your studies by the above deadline, by email. The letter should review the circumstances that led to the leave, describe in detail any activities pursued while away, explain why you now feel able to resume studies successfully, and outline a plan for continued support. You should also indicate whether or not you plan to apply for housing.
2. Submit a letter from the medical practitioner(s) with whom you have been working by the above deadline to The Office of Student Wellness by email at sps-wellness [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu. The letter should describe the treatment, progress made, and an evaluation of your readiness to return to full-time or part-time study at Columbia. The letter must also address the continued care plan recommended for your return so that you can be connected to the appropriate services upon return.

Students returning from a medical withdrawal or medical leave will be required to be evaluated by the relevant branch of University Health Services to complete the re-enrollment process. Once the required materials are submitted, your request will be reviewed by the Office of Advising.

Students are urged to meet with their advisor during the first two weeks of the semester when they return and with their Academic Director, if applicable, to ensure a smooth transition to the campus community.

If you have questions related to the return process or are unable to meet the deadline please schedule an appointment with The Office of Student Wellness to discuss further. 

In order to be readmitted students are required to submit the Return from Leave form to request to resume their studies. 

You must complete the following readmission procedures by the above deadlines. All financial obligations to the University must be cleared before readmission. 

If a student extends their voluntary leave past the 1-year limit, they will be required to re-apply to the program through the standard Admissions process.

You are eligible for readmission under this provision if, during your leave, you performed or will perform voluntary or involuntary active duty service in the U.S. armed forces, including active duty for training and National Guard or Reserve service under federal authority, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, and received a discharge other than dishonorable or bad conduct. In general, the cumulative length of absence and all previous absences for military service (service time only) must not exceed five years.

The school must allow the student to re-enroll in the next class or classes in the same program, with the same enrollment status, number of credits, and academic standing as when he or she was last in attendance at Columbia. The student may also request a later date of admission or, if unusual circumstances require it, the institution may admit the student at a later date. If the school determines that the student is not prepared to resume the program where he or she left off, the school must make reasonable efforts at no extra cost to the student to enable the student to resume and complete the program. Such reasonable efforts include, but are not limited to, providing a refresher course and allowing the student to retake a pretest, as long as they do not place an undue hardship on the school. If reasonable efforts are unsuccessful or the school determines that there are no reasonable efforts that the school can take, the school is not required to readmit the student.

If the program to which the student was admitted is no longer offered, the student must be admitted to the program that is most similar, unless the student requests or agrees to admission to a different program.

To be readmitted, you must submit the Return from Leave form no later than three years after the completion of the period of your service. If you are recovering from a service-related injury or illness, you must notify the school no later than two years after your recovery.