Medical Leave of Absence and Medical Withdrawal Policy

A. Medical Leave

Medical Leave is intended for accepted students who need to take time away from Rasmussen University for health reasons and who, for medical reasons, are unable to complete the quarter in which they are currently enrolled. Medical Leave is also available for students who are primary caregivers for someone who is experiencing a health or medical issue, which has resulted in their inability to complete the term in which they are currently enrolled. Each Medical Leave can be up to one quarter and may be extended through the following quarter/term. No approved medical leave may extend for more than two consecutive quarters or up to a maximum of six months in total length excluding break weeks. At the end of the approved leave, the student must return on the next start date based on their term cycle and program of enrollment. During a student’s enrollment, there is no limit to the total number of non-consecutive quarters/terms that a student may apply for and accumulate medical leave.

Qualified students with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) who are seeking academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, or other support services should refer to our Accommodations Policy. Temporary medical conditions are not considered a disability under the ADA unless they are severe enough to result in a substantial limitation of one or more major life activities. Such a determination is made on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the duration or expected duration of the impairment, and the extent to which it actually limits a major life activity of the individual. If you believe that your medical condition may qualify as a disability under the ADA and require support services or other accommodations, please contact an Accommodations Officer.

Students who are placed on a Medical Leave of Absence are treated as a drop/ withdrawal for Financial Aid purposes because students who take a leave of absence are generally unable to resume coursework at the same point in their academic studies upon their return as certain scheduling adjustments may be required. If the student received federal financial aid funding for the term in which the student withdrew, a calculation of the amount of aid earned for that term will be performed along with a calculation of the student’s tuition obligation for the same period. As a result of these calculations, the student may have a tuition balance, may have unearned federal aid funds that must be returned by the University or student, or may have a tuition refund due. These calculations will be performed according to federal guidelines and institutional policy, and the student will be notified of the outcome. If a tuition refund is due to the student, it will be returned to the student. Refunds will be paid to the appropriate funding agency within 45 days, and the student will be billed for any remaining unpaid balance. See the University Refund Policy.

Students with federal financial aid, federal loan obligations, or military tuition assistance must contact their lenders and the military financial aid specialist to ascertain their loan repayment status or repayment of tuition assistance during the Medical Leave. Students who received federal student loans at any point during their enrollment at the University will receive further information regarding their loan obligations and repayment in an exit interview provided by the University within 30 days of the student’s withdrawal date. Students who return from a Medical Leave of Absence will have their federal financial aid reinstated, but the funding package may be different from the term in which the student withdrew due to changes in student eligibility.

B. Medical Withdrawal

Students who do not return to Rasmussen University following their Medical Leave will be withdrawn with a status of Medical Leave Withdrawal.

C. Applying for Medical Leave of Absence

To apply for a Medical Leave, the student must obtain the Medical Leave Request Form from their Advisor. The student will be required to present and upload a signed note from a professional therapist/physician on letterhead where the professional practices. The note must include a timeframe, specifically the expected start date of the leave and the anticipated conclusion of the leave. The student cannot remain enrolled in the quarter/term in which the leave begins.

Important note: If the student is currently enrolled for the quarter/term in which their requested leave is to begin, it is their responsibility to drop/withdraw from their classes.

D. Returning After Medical Leave of Absence

To return from Medical Leave, the student must complete and submit the Medical Leave Return Request Form prior to the first day of the quarter/term in which the student wants to return to complete the reentry process. Additionally, the student must submit a signed note from the student’s professional therapist and/or physician stating the student’s medical situation and that the professional therapist/physician believes the student is able to return to Rasmussen University. A student returning after a Medical Leave of Absence will be returned to their previous program and catalog; students who desire to transfer programs are subject to the Program Transfer Policy.

E. Policy Regarding Grades in the Event of a Medical Leave of Absence

If the student takes Medical Leave on or before the close of the drop period, the course(s) will be dropped without being recorded on the student’s transcript and tuition will not be charged.
A grade of “WX” will be recorded for each course for which a student was registered if the student takes Medical Leave from the University at any time following the course drop period of the quarter/term. The student will need to repeat any course required in their program for which the WX grade was awarded.
When a student completes any course(s) and then takes a Medical Leave, the letter grades earned for the completed courses will remain on their transcript.
Academic probations, warnings, and dismissals related to Satisfactory Academic Progress remain applicable to students who take a Medical Leave. If a student is already on probation or is placed on probation while on leave, the conditions of his or her probation are continued to the quarter/term in which they return to the University.
Rasmussen University transfer policies will be used to evaluate credits earned at other schools and will apply to any academic work completed by the student while on Medical Leave or while on Medical Withdrawal from the University.

F. Returning After Medical Leave Withdrawal

Re-enrollment will require a student to reapply to the University and the terms of the Rasmussen University Reenter Policy will apply.