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Gannett Health Services
Ho Plaza
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-3101
Tel: 607 255-5155
Email: gannett@cornell.edu

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Medical Leaves of Absence (MLOA)

On this website you will find an abundance of specific information about MLOA directed to the following audiences:

Students requesting a MLOA (see below)
Staff and Faculty assisting with MLOA
Parents and Guardians

General information

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, including:
helpful links and relevant forms and handouts.

About the policy

As a student, you may experience life situations, medical conditions, or psychological conditions that significantly impair your ability to function successfully or safely in your role as a student. In these instances, time away from the university for treatment and recovery can often restore your functioning to a level that will enable you to return to the university.

Because students function not just as individuals, but also as connected parts of the university community and environment, when a student becomes impaired to the extent of needing a MLOA, this impairment oftentimes impacts that larger community.

If you initiate a MLOA, the university has a vested interest and a responsibility, both to you and to the larger university community, to establish criteria regarding your eligibility for re-enrollment. The criteria include, but are not limited to, compelling evidence that the condition that precipitated the need for a MLOA has been sufficiently treated and ameliorated to the point where it will no longer adversely affect your safety and functioning. Certain MLOAs initiated as a result of life situations (sexual assault, death of a family member) may not be subject to these criteria.

Student considerations

A medical recommendation is required from Gannett and an administrative approval is required from the advising office of your school or college, or for graduate students, the dean of the Graduate School, in order to both obtain a MLOA and to return from a MLOA.

Various schools, colleges, and graduate fields have different polices regarding leaves of absence, including specific restrictions on or requirements for the amount of time a student is to be away on leave and distinct requirements or criteria for re-enrollment following a leave of absence. It is your responsibility to contact the advising office (NOT your faculty advisor) of your school or college, or for graduate students, the dean of the Graduate School, regarding the specific academic requirements or criteria for re-enrollment that will apply to you, because it is the school or college that makes the final decidions whether you may return from a MLOA to that particular school or college.

Prior to taking a medical leave of absence, it is essential that you review your current health insurance coverage. Contact the Office of Student Health Insurance (607-255-6363) or your parents' insurance plan (if applicable) for further information as needed. If you are covered by the Cornell University Student Health Insurance plan (SHIP) when you convert to On Leave status, you are covered for the remainder of the plan year, and you may be eligible to purchase a one-time, one-year extension of your SHIP insurance if needed. If you are covered by a parent’s employer plan when you convert to On Leave status, you may need to apply for continuation of coverage (COBRA) with your parent's plan. Enrollment in COBRA is time sensitive.

Potential advantages for a student to take a MLOA rather than some other form of leave of absence

For students with tuition reimbursement insurance, a MLOA generally qualifies a student for benefits under any tuition insurance plan they may carry.
- Students who think they may need to take a MLOA during the course of a coming semester may wish to consider purchasing tuition reimbursement insurance before that semester begins.
For international students, a MLOA may provide a way to remain in the US while maintaining a legal status.
For graduate students, a MLOA typically does not disrupt the student's guarantee of funding.
A MLOA sometimes qualifies a student to initiate a leave of absence later in the semester than might normally be permitted for other forms of leave.
The number of MLOAs a student takes is currently unlimited, whereas a student often is limited by their college in the number of personal leaves they may take during their tenure at the University.
With a MLOA, the grades a student received during the semester for which the leave was initially granted are usually not calculated in the student's GPA.
A MLOA sometimes eliminates a semester's courses completely from the student's transcript.

If you are considering taking a MLOA from Cornell, you will need to schedule a visit to discuss it with a medical or CAPS provider at Gannett.

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.