Leave of Absence/Withdrawal
Students are expected to enroll in at least one course every school year (fall, spring, or summer session). Failure to comply will result in a deactivation of their file. To be readmitted, students must reapply and follow the rules, regulations, and requirements in effect at the time of reapplication. Matriculated students must have signed plans of study on file before they will be allowed to register for certain courses or graduate. Plans must be developed in consultation with their advisors before the pre-registration period.
Students may apply for an academic leave of absence for up to one year, beginning on the official ending date of the semester during which they last attended classes as matriculated students. During a leave of absence, students are considered as actively pursuing a degree program and remain under the graduation requirements (including major and minor requirements) in effect when they were admitted. Specific forms and procedural instructions for application for the academic leave of absence are available from the Graduate Office. Students taking course work at another accredited institution while on a leave of absence must have a Transfer of Credit form completed prior to taking courses.
Students who do not re-enroll within the leave period or who have withdrawn from Rockford University without requesting an academic leave of absence must seek formal readmission to the university, pay the required readmission fee, and accept any new degree requirements.
Medical Withdrawal Policy and Procedure
Purpose
The Medical Withdrawal policy is designed for students who are unable to complete course work due to medical or psychological illness. Students may withdraw from one or more classes or from the entire schedule due to medical or psychological illness, and receive a grade of “MW” (Medical Withdraw).
Petition Process
To receive a grade of “MW” a student must complete the appropriate petition, available in the Lang Center for Health, Wellness, Counseling and Disability Services. The student must obtain written documentation of medical necessity from the treating physician, psychologist or counselor and present the documentation to the director of the Lang Center. All petitions must be processed prior to the last day of final examinations. Students must complete an application form and obtain signatures from the director of Lang Center and Student Administrative Services (SAS) office. This information is then provided to the Chief Academic Officer for final approval. After final approval, SAS will record the medical withdrawal as the final grade for the course(s). SAS will notify the instructor, academic advisor, and Lang Center that the process has been completed and the grade has been recorded.
Responsibility
The student is ultimately responsible for the petition process. When a student is medically disabled and unable to complete the application process, Lang Center will intervene and assist with processing until the student is able to continue on their own.
Rockford University encourages students who must withdraw for medical reasons to resume their course of study as soon as possible. Through the last drop* date, as indicated in the academic calendar, a student who withdraws will have tuition charges** refunded, and all financial aid cancelled for that term. After the last drop date, a portion of tuition may be reserved in escrow to use in a subsequent semester. The portion of tuition held in escrow depends on when the student withdraws according to the following formula:
| If medical withdrawal is approved |
Action |
| Prior to the last drop date |
Tuition charges** taken off and all financial aid is cancelled |
| Through week four of classes |
75% of tuition held in escrow |
| Through week seven of classes |
50% of tuition held in escrow |
| Through week 10 of classes |
25% of tuition held in escrow |
| After week 10 of classes |
No tuition will be held in escrow |
Tuition held in escrow will be forfeited unless used within one year of the end of the semester in which the student received the medical withdrawal. The student’s financial obligations (i.e., tuition, fees, room and board, etc.) must be paid in full for this policy to apply.
IMPORTANT: 1. The U.S. Department of Education requires the recalculation of aid for any withdrawal (medical or not) prior to completing 60 percent of any term. This may result in some or all federal aid being returned, thus creating a balance on the student’s account. 2. The student must be aware that withdrawing from courses may alter full-time status. A student pursuing a medical withdrawal should consult with student administrative services.
*The drop date is determined by the program in which the student is enrolled. Typically, the last day to drop for traditional undergraduate students is the last day of the first calendar week of class (including the first day of class) of the fall or spring semester. Students should consult the current academic calendar for the specific date. All other program participants should consult with SAS as to the specific dates for their program.
**Charges other than those of tuition (i.e., room, board, fines, lab fees, registration fees, etc.) are neither refunded nor held in escrow