Student Leave of Absence Policy

An ad hoc committee, composed of the Dean of Academic Affairs, Dean of Student Services, Registrar, Financial Aid Director and Student Account Manager, will endorse the approval of the Leave of Absence to the Vice President Academic and Student Affairs, and Vice President of Business and Administrative Affairs/Chief Financial Officer. Request for LOA shall be approved due to health or medical circumstances, and other extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the student and must be supported by relevant documentation. The documentation must show a substantial medical change that arose unexpectedly after the drop period has ended. If a student is seeking a selective course withdrawal, the student must show why the condition has affected the course(s) specifically. Otherwise, only a complete semester withdrawal will be considered by the College. Appropriate documentation for a request of LOA due to an accident or illness consists of a letter from the attending health care provider that specifies the following:

1. the date of onset of illness.
2. the dates the student was under professional care.
3. the general nature of the student’s medical condition and why/how it prevented the student from completing his course work.
4. the date of the student’s anticipated return to school.
5. the last date the student was able to attend class.

In case of application for LOA due to grievous personal loss, the following documents should be submitted to support the application:

1. certified true copy of a death certificate of the immediate family or the person paying for the student’s educational expenses.
2. evidence of relationship to the deceased person (birth certificate, marriage certificate, and other documents acceptable by the Ad Hoc committee).
3. other documents that may be requested by the Ad Hoc Committee to support the application.

For other cases, the Ad Hoc Committee has to decide on the appropriate documentation acceptable to support the request for LOA. The student or his authorized representative must file a LOA form together with the required documentation stated above. This must be done immediately upon knowledge of such illness or injury. The student must state the period of his return to the College, not to exceed 180 days in any 12- month period. A student who is granted an approved LOA is not considered to have enrolled and will have their Title IV funds (PELL) returned and accumulated charges adjusted. However, if a student does not return to CMI at the end of an approved LOA, a return of Title IV funds will be required from the student. Pregnancy itself does not qualify under the Leave of Absence Policy, unless a special condition or complications associated with a student’s pregnancy (e.g. total bed rest for more than 2 months or during the entire period of pregnancy) occurred that prevents her from attending her courses for the entire semester. The same appropriate documentation would be needed before an approved LOA is granted. Academic Status: student on approved LOA retain their admitted academic status; however, they are not registered, and therefore do not have rights and privileges of a registered student. On the student’s return, he or she is permitted to complete their program that they began before the LOA