University at Buffalo (UB)
Students who plan to leave the university at the end of a semester but return within two semesters should consider requesting a leave of absence.
A formal leave of absence preserves a student’s status at the time they begin their leave. It eliminates the reapplication processes and paperwork when the student returns, and lets students maintain their current major, registration eligibility and access to their UB email during their time away.
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Students who leave UB without a formal leave of absence must complete an admissions re-entry form should they wish to return.
Students should apply for a leave of absence as early as possible, before the term during which they wish to begin their leave. The last date to apply for a leave of absence is the last day of the first term the student is requesting their leave. This includes Saturdays, but not Sundays or holidays. Please see the academic calendar for exact dates.
If a student left UB and did not have an official leave of absence, or they exceeded the period approved for their leave, they will need to complete an Admissions Re-Entry Form with the Office of Admissions. Upon readmission, the student will be obligated to follow new academic policies and will have to reapply to their academic major department.
If a student is a Title IV loan recipient and fails to return from a leave of absence, the grace period for their Title IV program loan might become exhausted. Students should consult with a financial aid advisor if they have any questions regarding repayment of Title IV loans (e.g. Federal Stafford and Federal Perkins Loans).
Students may want to consider other options, depending on their specific situation.
If a student is still enrolled, their leave of absence will not be processed, and the student will be held financially responsible for any courses remaining on their schedule.
Students should apply for a leave of absence as early as possible, before the term during which they wish to begin their leave. The last date to apply for a leave of absence is the last day of the first term the student is requesting their leave. This includes Saturdays, but not Sundays or holidays. Please see the academic calendar for exact dates.
Just prior to the semester the student plans to leave, the student should meet with their academic advisor, especially if they intend to later transfer course credits from another institution to UB.
Review and follow the checklist on the Not Returning to UB page. (Even though students taking a leave of absence are planning to return, they should still follow this checklist.)
Students requesting a leave of absence because of military service that is expected to be longer than four semesters must present a copy of their military orders along with the leave of absence form.
International students who are seeking a leave of absence must meet with a staff member from International Student Services.
In addition to meeting with an academic advisor, students who are studying abroad must register with the Study Abroad Programs office before requesting a leave of absence, even if the student is not participating in a UB or SUNY-sponsored study abroad program.
If a student attended other colleges or universities during their leave period, the student should forward their official transcripts to UB within six weeks of their return. The credits will be evaluated as transfer credit. Students can use TAURUS to see if courses taken at other institutions will articulate to specific UB courses.
Students may choose to return early from their leave. The student or advisor should send an email to HUB-TERM-LIST@LISTSERV.BUFFALO.EDU that contains the student’s name, person number and semester they would like to return. The student will then have their record updated and will be assigned an enrollment window.
Students who are currently enrolled as a graduate student at UB but wish to leave the university temporarily may request a leave of absence. Leaves of absence may be granted for up to one year. Visit the Graduate School website for more information.