Medical Leave of Absence

Under certain situations where a student’s health or well-being prevents continued enrollment, the student may initiate medical leave of absence procedures. Students may indicate a medical rationale when completing the leave of absence request.

Contact/meet with the primary academic advisor to discuss Leave of Absence request.

Students may voluntarily initiate a medical leave of absence during any standard period: Period One, Period Two, or Period Three.
Graduate and professional students seeking a medical leave of absence should contact the Graduate College or College of Veterinary Medicine student services office as appropriate for guidance.

Initiating a Student Leave of Absence request in Workday

Search "Create Request"
Type "Student Leave of Absence"
Answer the questions and Submit.

International Students must also meet with an advisor in the International Students and Scholars Office prior to submitting a leave of absence request.

After a Request is submitted

The completed a Student Leave of Absence request will route to the student's advisor and college student services office for student’s primary major.
If the leave of absence request is approved, the student is eligible to return to the university for a future term with the same academic status that the student held at the beginning of the leave term.
- A medical leave of absence will create a medical hold on the student's record. In order to return after a medical leave of absence the student must contact Student Assistance in the Dean of Students Office.
Late-term Medical leave of absence (Period Three) the student must provide documentation establishing an “extenuating circumstance” that prevents the student from fulfilling their academic responsibilities.
- Undergraduate students on academic probation who are granted medical leave of absence during Period Three will be subject to academic dismissal at the end of the term.

Return from Medical Leave of Absence

When the student initiates a medical leave of absence from the university, requests to return will initially be reviewed by Student Assistance in the Dean of Students Office to clear the Medical Hold.

To provide ample time for consideration, this process should be initiated by the student at least 30 calendar days prior to the start of the term the student wishes to enroll. International students are encouraged to allow additional time to complete the process.

Students will need to provide the following information to Student Assistance staff to clear the Medical Hold:

Description of what medical conditions prompted the leave and what treatment(s) occurred while away from Iowa State.
Documentation from a licensed medical provider indicating the following:

1. Name of medical provider, office address, and phone number

2. Student's full name

3. Identification of medical issue.

4. Date of onset and dates of treatment.

5. Describe how the medical issue has changed since the separation date of the student from Iowa State University. Provide medical opinion regarding student's readiness to return to campus.

6. Does the student need any accommodations to return (i.e. reduced credit load, mobility assistance, etc.).

Guidance for students and providers, including a sample letter, is available on the Medical Leave of Absence Sample Provider Letter webpage.
This documentation can be submitted to the Student Assistance Office at studentassistance@iastate.edu or Student Assistance 1010 Student Services Building Ames, IA 50011. Please call 515-294-1020 with additional questions.

Student Assistance staff will review the documentation provided and determine if additional documentation or further review is required. A decision to clear the Medical Hold will be made based on the information provided by the student and their treating professionals.

If no further documentation or review is required, the medical hold will be lifted and the student will be referred to the appropriate academic College Official. (Students wishing to change majors upon return will be referred to their current college to start the major change process.) Notification when Medical Holds are released will be sent by the Dean of Students Office to the appropriate College Officials.

If further review of the student’s medical situation is needed, the student may be required to attend a re-entry meeting with the Leave of Absence Consultation Committee.

All medical documentation provided at the time of the leave of absence will be forwarded to the Dean of Students Office to be retained in compliance with FERPA regulations.

Medical Leave of Absence