Mental Health-Related Medical Leaves of Absence (MLOA)

Students may apply for a Voluntary Leave of Absence (a separation from the university requested by the student) for Medical Reasons (MLOA).

Below is some key information about MLOA for students who are considering a MLOA for mental health reasons. Be sure to check out the general information about MLOA as well.

If you are considering taking a mental health-related MLOA from Cornell

• You will need to contact CAPS and request an evaluation by a CAPS counselor for the purposes of pursuing a MLOA. If you are already in service at CAPS, simply ask your current counselor, and he or she will work with you through the process.
  • You will be expected to meet a minimum of two occasions with a CAPS counselor in order to be evaluated to establish a need for a MLOA and to complete the necessary paperwork.
  • A standard part of this process always involves CAPS contacting your school or college to get their input on the process. 
  • Once the need for a MLOA has been determined by the CAPS counselor and the paperwork completed, the request is reviewed by the MLOA Committee at CAPS, and if appropriate, a recommendation is issued by the director of Gannett to your school or college for a MLOA.
• You will need to abide by the following deadlines for requesting a MLOA
  • You must have completed an evaluation with a CAPS clinician and all of the necessary paperwork no later than the final day of classes in a semester in order for a MLOA to be processed for that semester.
  • Requests that are completed after this deadline will only be considered for the subsequent semester.
  • CAPS does not act retroactively in recommending Medical Leaves of Absence, nor are recommendations based solely on evaluations done by non-CAPS clinicians

If you are currently on a MLOA and considering returning to Cornell

• Print a copy of the Student Checklist for Returning from a MLOA 
  • Follow the directions on the Checklist.
  • If you have any questions, call CAPS and ask to speak with your counselor, or if you prefer, you may ask to speak with someone on the MLOA Committee.
• Abide by the following deadlines for requesting a return from a MLOA
  • You must notify the MLOA Committee in writing by June 1 if you wish to return for the coming Fall semester and by November 1 if you wish to return for the coming Spring semester.
    • You may do this via a brief e-mail to the Chair of the MLOA Committee. Once we have received your notice, we will begin tracking your materials.
  • All documentation that is needed to consider your request to return must be submitted to the MLOA Committee by July 1 if you wish to return for the coming Fall semester and by December 1 if you wish to return for the coming Spring semester.
  • If any of your materials arrive after these deadlines, consideration of your application to return from a MLOA will be postponed until a later semester. 

Links to other helpful Cornell University offices

• Special information for international students who are considering taking a Medical Leave of Absence from Cornell is provided by the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).

• Questions about the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and MLOA, can be directed to the Cornell University Office of Student Health Insurance.

• If you have questions about the financial implications of taking a MLOA, contact the Office of Financial Aid. 

• Concerned about how a MLOA will affect your housing? Contact the Housing Office in Campus Life. 

• To verify your status as either enrolled or on leave, contact the Office of the University Registrar.

• To inquire about tuition insurance, contact the University Bursar Services.

MLOA forms & handouts for students

Request for a Voluntary Leave of Absence for Medical Reasons (pdf)

Authorization for releasing, discussing, or obtaining protected health information (pdf)

Student Checklist for Returning from a MLOA (pdf)

Community Provider Report Form (pdf)