Frequently Asked Questions

• A MLOA allows a student to obtain the care and support that they need to return to their studies when they are ready.
• While on MLOA, a staff member from Student Outreach and Support (“SOS”) may check in with students periodically to discuss their progress and prepare for a safe and healthy return.
• A MLOA may allow a student to initiate a leave of absence and withdraw from classes later in the semester than is normally permitted for personal leaves of absence.
• For students with tuition reimbursement insurance, a MLOA generally qualifies a student for benefits under tuition insurance plans they may carry.  Please be sure to check the insurance policy to confirm coverage.

All undergraduate and graduate students, including students at the Georgetown University Qatar campus.

This process does not apply to Georgetown Law or Medical students who should refer to the applicable Student Handbook for guidance.

1. Obtain supporting documentation from your healthcare provider
2. Complete the MLOA Request form
3. Meet with the Dean of Students/Student Outreach and Support
4. Work with other offices as needed

For additional information please see the MLOA Flow Chart and the MLOA Checklist

The basic steps to request reinstatement from a MLOA are:

1. Obtain supporting documentation from your healthcare provider
2. Complete the MLOA Reinstatement form by the deadline
3. Meet with the Dean of Students/Student Outreach and Support
4. Work with other offices as needed

For additional information please see the MLOA Flow Chart and the MLOA Checklist

The documentation should come from your treating healthcare provider, which may include the University’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services (“CAPS”) or the Student Health Center, or another healthcare provider on- or off-campus.

A provider is a licensed, treating professional who has expertise in and direct knowledge of your medical condition. Examples of providers include doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, mental health professionals, certified physician assistants, nurse practitioners, social workers and other appropriate professionals.

The provider may not be someone who is related to you by blood or marriage, such as parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, spouses and other relatives.

As part of the process for applying for an MLOA, your healthcare provider will be asked to provide their recommendation for an estimated return date. The steps you need to take to prepare to return will be provided to you by the Dean of Students in the MLOA Terms in your MLOA Decision Form.  When you have completed those steps and your healthcare provider determines you are ready to return, you can apply for reinstatement.  This recommendation will be reviewed by the Dean of Students, who will convene an MLOA Committee including your undergraduate advising dean or appropriate academic administrator designated by your School and other University staff, as needed, to determine when a return would be appropriate.

• Fall semester – June 30
• Spring semester – November 1
• Summer semester – April 1

If you wish to live in on campus housing when you return, please let the Dean of Students know.  This does not take the place of a housing application, the housing selection process, or requesting housing accommodations.

Medical documentation will be stored in our secure case management system, Maxient. Direct access to these files is limited to the Dean of Students and Student Outreach and Support. Information regarding the impact of taking a MLOA may be discussed with the members of the MLOA Committee.  Discussion of medical documentation is limited to the Dean of Students, Student Outreach and Support, or University medical providers, such as CAPS or Student Health, subject to your signing a Release of Information.

If you have any concerns about specific individuals having access to your documentation, please contact us at dosstudentaffairs@georgetown.edu.

A Release of Information (ROI) is a document that allows you to designate specific people or offices who are allowed to receive confidential medical information from your healthcare providers and/or speak with your healthcare providers. 

Without an ROI, your healthcare provider may not agree to complete the necessary forms or provide a recommendation and will not be able to speak with us as may be needed during the MLOA process. When signing an ROI, you can designate who may be given access to your documentation, and you can revoke the authorization at any time.

Students are encouraged to take care of themselves while on a MLOA and focus on getting well.  Generally, transfer credit will not be granted for classes taken at another institution while on a MLOA from Georgetown without prior written approval from the appropriate academic office or committee.

Ordinary rules for transfer credit apply, including but not limited to, the number of courses for which transfer credit will be permitted and the grade required to be eligible for transfer. Please see the applicable Bulletin and/or school or program handbook for more information.

The impact of an MLOA may depend on several factors, such as the type of visa you have, when you plan to take the MLOA, and whether you will be leaving the country or petitioning for an exemption to stay in the U.S.  

The best option for making sure you have all of the necessary information regarding the impact on your visa status is to contact your International Advisor at the Office of Global Services (globalservices@georgetown.edu) prior to finalizing your MLOA. You may also review the information provided by the Office of Global Services on interrupting your full course load due to an illness or medical condition. 

To process your MLOA, extension, or reinstatement request smoothly, please ensure all supporting documents are submitted in English. If your original documents are in another language, you will need to provide a certified English translation from a qualified professional at your own expense. A translation by the Student will not be accepted. Supplying these complete, certified translations on time will prevent delays or potential denial of your request.

Once a MLOA is granted, a student is required to move out of the Residence Hall.  Unfortunately, there is no space to leave your belongings in your Residence Hall while on MLOA. If you are unable to retrieve your belongings, you can designate someone (family member or loved one) to pack and remove your things.  Residential Living can also advise you on local storage options.

If you are an undergraduate student who has not completed your three-year residency requirement prior to taking your MLOA, then you will be required to live on campus upon reinstatement. Please connect with the Office of Residential Living if you are unsure about your status (residentialliving@georgetown.edu).

If you believe you have a disability that impacts your ability to live on campus, you may request an accommodation by submitting a request to the Academic Resource Center.

A tuition refund may be available for students who take an MLOA, depending on several factors such as financial aid, and the effective date of your MLOA. You should reach out to the Office of Student Financial Services (studentaccounts@georgetown.edu) and review the Withdrawal Deadlines & Refund Schedule.

If you are a financial aid, scholarship, or grant recipient, you should also speak with your Financial Aid Student Counselor for more specific information.  Graduate students with federal grants, private grants, or other non-institutional funding sources should discuss the impact of a MLOA with the Joint Office of Research Administration.

If you have tuition insurance, please get in touch with the Office of Revenue and Receivables at studentaccounts@georgetown.edu for guidance on the process for submitting a claim for insurance benefits.

There are many different types of scholarships/grants/financial aid available to GU students, all with different requirements. Please connect with your Financial Aid Student Counselor who will be able to review the specifics of your financial aid package and the implications of taking an MLOA.

If you are a GSP student, you should also contact gsphoyas@georgetown.edu to discuss how they can support you.

Students may be eligible to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Premier Plan depending on prior coverage. Details can be found here and you can reach out with any questions via email: shi@georgetown.edu.

Thank you for supporting your student!

Generally, your student will need to consent to the University speaking with you to request a MLOA on their behalf.  Exceptions may be considered if the student is under the age of 18, you have been granted power of attorney by a court, or when or when a student is incapacitated, meaning the student’s physical or mental condition renders them unable to communicate or interact with the Dean of Students directly. If your student is incapacitated, you will need to provide documentation from the student’s provider for the Dean of Students or designee to review to determine if you can proceed on your student’s behalf due to incapacitation. For more information, please review the MLOA policy and contact us via email (DOS@georgetown.edu), so we can schedule a time to speak with you to answer any questions and review the options. 

You may appeal the determination of a denial of a request to take a MLOA or denial of a request to be reinstated after a MLOA by submitting an appeal letter in writing to the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee (or to the Executive Dean of the School of Medicine for GUSOM students) within ten (10) business days of receiving notice of the determination.  Please review the full MLOA Policy which outlines the steps that you can take to appeal a denial.

If you are on an approved MLOA, you can request an extension beyond one academic year by submitting the MLOA Extension Request by the deadline stated in your MLOA Decision Letter. You will need to include the reasons for the extension and an estimated date of return.  You may need to meet with the Dean of Students and/or SOS team member to discuss your request. International students are advised to consult with the Office of Global Services (OGS) before requesting an extension, as it may affect their visa status.

Failure to meet the deadline for requesting an extension in your MLOA Decision Letter may result in an administrative withdrawal so be sure to file the MLOA Extension Request on time.

Students may request more than one (1) extension; however, some academic programs have requirements to complete the program within a certain time period, which may preclude the Student from extending their MLOA beyond the prescribed time period.

Generally, the Community Standards Process will continue to proceed, regardless of a student taking a MLOA, however, students may request for their case to be paused. The request will be reviewed by the Office of Student Conduct before making a final determination. The University reserves the right to continue the Community Standards Process before granting reinstatement.  If you have questions, you should reach out to the Office of Student Conduct: studentconduct@georgetown.edu.

Matters of academic policy are the purview of the school in which you are enrolled. 

If you are facing academic probation, you are eligible to take a MLOA, however, you will remain on academic probation when you are reinstated to the university.

If you are facing academic suspension or dismissal, taking a MLOA does not impact the review process of your academic standing.

The Title IX process may continue while a student is on a MLOA. However, a student may request for their case to be paused if the student’s health impedes their ability to fully participate in the Title IX process.

If you need accommodations in order to request a MLOA, please contact the Academic Resource Center

Requesting accommodations after returning from a MLOA follows the same process for requesting accommodations at any other time as a student.  

If you had accommodations prior to your MLOA it may be necessary to provide additional documentation if you need to make updates to your previously existing accommodations.
All documentation requirements and important dates can be found on the ARC Website.