Leave of Absence
Students who wish to temporarily leave SUNY New Paltz but plan to return to their studies should take a Leave of Absence.
A leave of absence is permission to be away from the college temporarily, whether it is for medical, financial or personal reasons, including study at another educational institution. Requesting a leave of absence has two parts: academic and immigration.
Leave of Absence Request After a Break:
A student who wishes to request a leave of absence after a break, (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer) must do so before the first day of classes of the next required session/semester. If the request for a leave of absence is not requested prior to the start of classes, they may not be eligible to reactivate their SEVIS Record.
Leave of Absence After the First Day of Classes:
A student who wishes to request a leave of absence after the first day of classes, must be maintaining their F-1 student status through full-time enrollment, and participation and attendance at the time the request for a leave of absence is submitted, and before departing the US.
Academic Procedure
- Undergraduate students must file a Leave of Absence form with Records & Registration (Wooster Hall 115), which will process the request.
- Graduate students must file a Leave of Absence form with the office of Graduate, Professional & Interdisciplinary Studies. (Old Main 127).
- You must obtain all applicable signatures before returning this form to the appropriate office. Students may be on leave for up to two consecutive semesters. Students who plan to take courses elsewhere during their leave must have their selections approved prior to leaving. The undergraduate student leave of absence policy can be reviewed on the SUNY New Paltz website. * Make sure to keep a copy of the completed Leave of Absence form for your records.
Immigration Procedures
By submitting he a leave of absence form, you will no longer be enrolled at SUNY New Paltz and therefore the International Student Services Office is required to terminate your SEVIS record. Once we terminate your record, you must depart the US within 15 days. This means you are no longer in F-1 student status and cannot use your SUNY New Paltz I-20 to re-enter the U.S. until you have completed the process to return from a leave of absence. You will need to contact the International Student Services Office about 2 months before your intended return to SUNY New Paltz, so we can ensure your SEVIS record is correct and you can re-enter the US to resume your studies.
Required Materials
Procedure Immigration Leave of Absence Request
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Complete the appropriate Leave of Absence Form and obtain all necessary signatures.
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Check my.newpaltz.edu, and ensure (1) your address is current, (2) there are no active holds my.newpaltz.edu > General > Holds
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Using the link provided by the International Student Advisor, log in to the International Student Platform to complete LOA Request.
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Upload the completed Leave of Absence Form to your Leave of Absence Request in the International Student Platform.
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Digitally sign the Leave of Absence Agreement.
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Submit Request for Leave of Absence Request.
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Submit completed Leave of Absence Form to the correct office.
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You will receive an email from the International Student Services office once your request for a Leave of Absence has been processed and your SEVIS record has been terminated.
Special Considerations
- If you are out of the country for less than 5 months: You may be eligible to request to have your current SEVIS record re-activated with SEVIS Helpdesk
- If you are out of the country for more than 5 months or your reactivation is denied by SEVIS: You will need a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS Number. You will also need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee for the new I-20. (Upon return with the new SEVIS I-20 your time for eligibility for OPT will begin again.)
- Only the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) can ultimately approve the re-activation request to your SEVIS Record. Even if you meet the requirements listed above, the International Student Services Office, cannot guarantee your F-1 record will be reactivated.
To apply for a leave of absence you must meet with an International Student Advisor.
