Leave of Absence

Leave of Absence information and procedures for F1 international students.

F-1 International Students
A leave of absence is a temporary break from your studies, for one or more semesters, during which you may not be present in the United States.
 
Since you will not be in the U.S. during this time, your SEVIS record will be terminated for the reason "Authorized Early Withdrawal".
  • You must depart the U.S. within 15 days of the day your record is terminated.
  • "Authorized Early Withdrawal" is a neutral termination reason that will not have any negative impact in your immigration record.
  • If you are not present in the U.S. for any semester, you are not required by the federal government to be enrolled in any coursework with NJIT.
    • If you wish to enroll in online courses during the semester(s) you will be abroad, you should discuss this with your Academic Adviser to determine your eligibility.
    • Even if you have enrolled in (1) or more online courses, if you are not physically present in the U.S. during that semester, your SEVIS record will be terminated.
    • Students cannot maintain F1 Status while outside of the U.S. during a required term. 
  • If you are present in the U.S., you must be enrolled full time, and follow all enrollment requirements regarding online vs. face to face coursework. Full time enrollment requirements may be viewed HERE. 
  • Students interested in applying for post completion OPT employment benefit should be aware of the potential consequences of a leave of absence:
    • Students must be enrolled full time for at least (1) full academic year in order to be eligible for OPT authorization.
    • Students absent from the U.S. for less than 5 months *may* qualify to have their current SEVIS record "re-activated" if they return to the U.S. less than 5 months after their departure. 
      • Re-activated records may be eligible for OPT employment benefits
    • Students absent from the U.S. for more than 5 months are not eligible to re-activate their current SEVIS record, and must obtain a new SEVIS record with a new SEVIS ID for re-entry to the U.S.
      • Students with new SEVIS records must complete (1) full academic year of enrollment in order to be eligible for OPT benefits.
There are two reasons students may request a leave of absence from NJIT
  • Medical reasons
  • Academic/non medical reasons. 

Click below to learn more

A leave of absence from the university may be granted for F1 students struggling to successfully maintain full time enrollment due to medical reasons. Students must submit information from a medical practitioner to support the need for a leave of absence. 

ALL undergraduate and graduate students

  • Contact the Dean of Students Office to indicate you require a medical leave of absence. You will need to provide a doctor's note stating your medical situation and the OGI's Leave of Absence Form.
  • The Dean of Students will notify the OGI of your submission and initial review approval, so the OGI may finalize this authorization.
  • The OGI will terminate your SEVIS record.
  • You must depart the U.S. as soon as possible, if you have not already done so.
  • Make sure to drop or withdraw from all of your courses, if registered for the upcoming semester.
    • Failure to do so will mean you are billed for these courses and responsible for payment.
    • If you are requesting a LOA in the middle of a semester, you must follow the instructions for Withdrawing from a Course.
      • You will not be able to withdraw from any courses until your LOA is approved by the OGI and you have submitted the required request to withdraw.
  • Contact the Office of the Registrar to enroll in a "Maintaining Registration" course (also known as "MR").
    • This course will "hold" your place with the university and will allow university officials to anticipate your return to the university in the future. 
F1 students may need to take a leave of absence from the university for various personal reasons, which are not due to personal medical issues. It is advised that students follow the recommended procedures, listed below, to take an authorized leave of absence from the university. 

Undergraduate and Master’s students

  • The student must submit the Leave of Absence Form, with academic adviser's signature, to the OGI for processing.
  • Upon review, your SEVIS record will be terminated for "authorized early withdrawal".
  • You must depart the U.S. as soon as possible, if you have not already done so.
  • Make sure to drop or withdraw from all of your courses, if registered for the upcoming semester.
    • Failure to do so will mean you will be billed for these courses and responsible for payment.
    • If you are requesting a LOA in the middle of a semester, you must follow the instructions for Withdrawing from a Course.
      • You will not be able to withdraw from any courses until your LOA is approved by the OGI and you have submitted the required request to withdraw.
  • Contact the Office of the Registrar to enroll in a "Maintaining Registration" course (also known as "MR").
    • This course will "hold" your place with the university and will allow university officials to anticipate your return to the university in the future. 

PhD students

  • Students must contact the Graduate Studies Office to initiate the process.
    • The GSO will provide the required Leave of Absence form and begin the application process.
    • Once approved by the GSO, the OGI will be notified of the requested leave of absence so this may be approved and finalized.
  • Upon receipt of confirmation that the leave was approved by the GSO, the OGI will terminate your SEVIS record for "authorized early withdrawal".
  • You must depart the U.S. as soon as possible, if you have not already done so.
  • Make sure to drop or withdraw from all of your courses, if registered for the upcoming semester.
    • Failure to do so will mean you will be billed for these courses and responsible for payment.
    • If you are requesting a LOA in the middle of a semester, you must follow the instructions for Withdrawing from a Course.
      • You will not be able to withdraw from any courses until your LOA is approved by the OGI and you have submitted the required request to withdraw.
  • Contact the Office of the Registrar to enroll in a "Maintaining Registration" course (also known as "MR").
    • This course will "hold" your place with the university and will allow university officials to anticipate your return to the university in the future. 

If you have been absent from the US for less than 5 months

  • Submit the following documents to the OGI 2-3 months prior to your anticipated return:
  • The OGI will apply to SEVIS to have your former SEVIS record and Form I-20 re-activated. 
    • **Be aware: SEVIS may take a few weeks to process this request. We recommend waiting until this is approved to plan your travel back to the US, or, be prepared to change travel plans if necessary. Students cannot return to the US until you have been issued the updated Form I-20. 
      • If successful, you will be able to reenter the U.S. with the same I-20 and will keep the same SEVIS number.
      • If SEVIS cannot re-activate your former record, the OGI will issue a NEW Form I-20 and SEVIS record for you. If you receive a new Form I-20, you will be required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee for this new record.

If you have been absent from the US for more than 5 months

Undergraduate students: As long as you continued to enroll in “maintaining registration” credits each semester, with a maximum of 3 semesters, you may return to NJIT without reapplying for admission to your program of study.
  • Apply for a new Form I-20/SEVIS record by submitting:
  • You will be issued a brand new I-20 with a new SEVIS record. You will be required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again, and apply for a new F-1 visa if your previous one expired.
Graduate students
  • Contact Graduate Studies Office to inform them of your intention to return to NJIT. The GSO will confirm if you need to reapply for admission to your program of study.
  • Apply for a new Form I-20?SEVIS record by submitting:
  • You will be issued a brand new I-20 with a new SEVIS record. You will be required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again and apply for a new F-1 visa if your previous one expired.