Medical Leave of Absence

A student wishing to take a Medical Leave of Absence must discuss this request with the Assistant Director of SOS, in person, over the phone, or via Zoom. There can be many interventions that SOS can offer in lieu of a leave, these options can be discussed during this meeting.

• Review FAQ page for general questions related to the MLoA process
• Financial aid- *please connect with your financial aid advisor to understand any current or future implications a leave may have on your financial aid.
• Refund schedule
• Insurance
• Housing
• Registration
• Connect with OIS if you are an international student
• Academic plan for return
  • KSAS
  • WSE
• Students taking a MLoA are required to engage in treatment for the challenges necessitating the leave. Based on the challenges, it is recommended students engage in at least 6-12 weeks of treatment and additional treatment as recommended by your healthcare provider. if you need help finding a healthcare provider please reach out to Student Health and Well-Being and/or the Counseling Center. You will also review this with the Assistant Director during your meeting.

If a MLoA is best, the student must complete the online MLoA form by the deadline.

Students taking a MLoA for mental health challenges are asked to complete a PDF Document: release of information for the Counseling Center for MLOA reinstatement team to provide the best support for your return.

Once a student decides to take a Medical Leave of Absence, the Assistant Director of SOS will contact the student’s faculty to confirm the last day that the student attended class. This is used to determine any tuition refund if applicable. This email includes Once last date of attendance is confirmed the Assistant Director of SOS will send a memo notifying campus administrators of the students leave date and expected return date. This memo also indicates any refund that the student can expect to receive and will trigger the Registrar to place a hold in SIS which will then be removed upon reinstatement. In addition, the student will be administratively dropped from any enrolled classes. Please note, students cannot register for classes until their reinstatement has been processed. The following campus partners will also be included:

• Academic Advising
• Athletics (if applicable)
• Counseling Center (if applicable)
• Student Financial Support
• Housing (if applicable)
• J-Card
• Office of International Services (if applicable)
• Registrar
• Student Health and Wellness Center (if applicable)
• Student Accounts
• Student Benefits

▢ Schedule periodic meetings with Assistant Dir. of SOS

▢ Meet regularly with your provider to address wellbeing.

▢ Check in with Academic advising to plan for return

▢ Re-apply for FAFSA/CSS profile if applicable

▢ Meet with Fin aid advisor with questions

▢ Secure off campus housing if applicable

▢ Communicate with on campus housing if needed

▢ If international student ensure visa is up to date

• Schedule time to meet with the Assistant Director of Student Outreach and Support to talk through return.
• Submit official request to return here.
• Begin to collect required documentation from providers and submit by the deadline:
  • Release of Information
  • Student Questionnaire
  • Treating Provider Letter
• Review checklist for returning (fin aid, AA, benefits, housing)
• Decision

The Student Questionnaire, Provider Questionnaire, and the student’s consultation will all be considered to determine readiness for reinstatement. The student will be notified by phone or email by SOS as to the decision regarding reinstatement.

If the student is cleared for reinstatement, the Assistant Director of Student Outreach & Support will work with the student to complete the reinstatement process:

• Notify Campus Partners: A memo is sent to the student and campus partners, confirming the student’s date of return
• Upon the student’s return, the student will meet with the assigned case manager to discuss strategies for success and coordinating any ongoing treatment needs. The student and case manager will meet throughout the returning semester as needed

If the student is denied reinstatement, they are encouraged to apply again the following semester. Students may be denied reinstatement if they did not engage in treatment for the challenges that necessitated the leave. It is recommended students engage in 6-12 weeks of treatment and/or recommended treatment from healthcare provider.

• In the event that a student objects the reinstatement decision made by the MLoA committee, the student may appeal the reinstatement decision in writing to the Senior Director of Student Outreach and Support or their designee within five (5) business days of the date of the notice of the decision.
• The appeal may be filed on the sole grounds of:
  • New information available
  • Incorrect facts were used to determine the decision
  • Unfair application of Johns Hopkins leave processes were applied
• The student should provide documentation to support these statements. Any medical information used in the appeal must include signed releases for the student’s treatment team to discuss pertinent information with the Sr. Dir. and/or designee
• The Sr. Dir. will review the record and any additional information submitted by the student and will render a written decision to the student within five (5) business days of receiving the appeal. The decision will be final.

Deadlines and timeline of return process

• Spring : December 1
• Fall: July 1
• Summer May 1

Typically, it takes several weeks to process reinstatement from medical leave. While SOS will attempt to process your return as quickly as possible, it is important to allow time for this process as students frequently need to communicate with many offices to make arrangements for their return (e.g. Student Health and Wellness Center, Counseling Center, Student Financial Support, Housing, Academic Advising, Student Disability Services, etc.).

Please note: You will not be able to register for classes until you are cleared for reinstatement by SOS and have any relevant holds removed on your account (e.g. academic or financial holds). You will have access to the housing portal once you are officially reinstated. If your health allows it, it is suggested that you complete the reinstatement materials by the early submission dates so that you can be cleared to register for classes sooner. You are welcome to submit materials by the latest submission date, however, we are unable to get you into classes that are full.

Please see the table below to assist you in planning to submit your reinstatement materials. Please note, the Latest Submission Date is the date documentation must be received by SOS.

Semester of Return	Earliest Submission Date	Latest Submission Date
Fall	March 1	July 1
Spring	October 1	December 1
Summer*	February 1	May 1**

*It is generally recommended that you return in fall or spring, not intersession or summer, however, applications for those terms will be considered. Be sure to check with your academic advisor about whether the courses you need are offered during those terms.

**May 1 may be too late to begin the reinstatement process for summer session I courses, but still allow enough time for you to register for summer session II.