Medical Leave of Absence

A student wishing to take a Medical Leave of Absence must discuss this request with a Case Manager, in person, over the phone, or via Zoom. There can be many interventions that Case Managers can offer in lieu of a leave, if appropriate, or the case manager may ask the student to speak to other offices while the student considers if a MLoA is appropriate or the best option for them. Those offices may include Advising, Student Financial Support, Counseling, or Student Health and Wellness.

If a MLoA is best, the student will schedule time with the Assistant Director of Student Outreach & Support to discuss logistics and relevant concerns related to a MLoA, such as the financial implications or changes to a student’s academic plan. Lastly, the student will complete the online MLoA form by the deadline and stay connected throughout their leave.

Once a student decides to take a Medical Leave of Absence, the Case Manager 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.

The Case Manager will then send a memo to the student and campus partners, including:

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

This email includes when the student has left and when they are expected to return, if known. This memo also indicates any refund that the student can expect to receive and will trigger the Registrar to place a hold in SIS to be removed upon reinstatement.

The student should contact Student Financial Support and/or Student Accounts for information about getting any refund and discussing how the leave may impact future semester aid.

The student should notify the Assistant Director of Student Outreach & Support of their intent to return and fill out the online MLoA Reinstatement form.

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).

If you receive financial support, it is recommended you notify the Office of Student Financial Support of your intent to return. Students must complete all financial support requirements (i.e. FAFSA, CSS Profile, submitting tax documents) by the returning undergraduate application deadline to be considered for aid for the next academic year. Institutional grant is available on a funds-available basis.

Our office uses a consultative model to review all reinstatement paperwork to determine readiness to return. The Medical Leave Reinstatement team is comprised of staff from SOS, Student Health and Wellness, and the Counseling Center. The team also consults with Student Disability Services, and Academic Advising. The MLOA Reinstatement team will meet a week after the reinstatement deadline and students can expect to hear a decision within two weeks of the reinstatement deadline. We will do our best to expedite this process if possible. Please submit documentation through the links provided below.

Each student, regardless of the originating concern initiating their MLOA, must submit the required MLOA reinstatement documentation parts 1-3. Please note, if you are receiving treatment from multiple providers, each provider must submit the provider form through the available link. Any questions or concerns related to the Medical Leave of Absence Reinstatement process can be forwarded to Ruth Sherman at rsherm11@jhu.edu or mloa_eloa@jh.edu.

The documentation includes:

1. Release of Information
2. Student Questionnaire
3. Treating Provider Letter

After the recommendation is received from the MLoA committee, the Assistant Director of Student Outreach & Support then reaches out to the student to schedule a meeting or phone call to discuss the student’s transition back, any ongoing support the student may need, and to provide guidance on any other steps the student may need to take with the university (for example, getting other holds lifted from the student’s account, or registering for disability accommodations).

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

If a 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
  • Case Manager sends memo to student and campus partners, confirming the student’s date of return.
• Ongoing Support
  • Upon the student’s return, the assigned Case Manager makes an appointment with the student to discuss strategies for success and coordinating any ongoing treatment needs.

If a student is denied reinstatement, they are encouraged to apply again the following semester.

• 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 Dean of Student Life or their designee within five (5) business days of the date of the notice of the decision. The student may not remain on campus during this time.
  • 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 Dean and/or designee
• The Dean 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 Dean’s decision will be final.