Medical Leave of Absence
The Office of the Dean of Student Life and Student Outreach and Support (SOS) staff are committed to supporting undergraduate students throughout their time at Johns Hopkins. Occasionally, students may experience a disruption in their academic journey due to physical or mental health difficulties that are significantly impacting their ability to participate in academics and complete a semester. This typically means that the condition is impacting a student for a period of time longer than a week. In this case, a student may file for a Medical Leave of Absence, or MLoA. A MLoA is a temporary break from enrollment to allow students to devote their attention to medical treatment when their need for care prevents them from being able to be a successful student. The deadline to request a Medical Leave of Absence is the last day to withdrawal from classes. For Spring 2023, the deadline is April 14, 2023. Please see the university registrar’s page for terms and deadlines. For additional information, please see the academic calendar.
We have several staff members, who together form a CARE team, to support each student during their time here at Johns Hopkins. Each undergraduate student taking a MLoA is assigned a Case Manager to assist in their MLoA process. Our goal is to help students manage physical and mental health concerns, personal and family emergencies, financial issues, and other obstacles that may arise during their college experience.
For more information, please review the information below, view answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, or contact a Case Manager.
Process for Requesting Medical Leave of Absence
Speak with a Case Manager
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.
Notify Faculty and Campus Partners
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.
Contact Student Financial Support and Student Accounts
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.
Process for Reinstatement from Medical Leave of Absence
Connect with a Case Manager
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.
Provide Documentation
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:
Consultation with Ruth Sherman
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).
Decision is Made Regarding Reinstatement
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 appeal may be filed on the sole grounds of:
- 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.
Deadlines for Reinstatement Applications
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 |
Intersession* | October 1 | November 15 |
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.
International Students
The time it takes to obtain a student VISA can vary depending on your home country. It is important to allow time for this process. Please communicate with the Office of International Services to discuss how much time will be necessary for you to obtain a student visa. OIS can be reached at 667-208-7001 or ois@jhu.edu.