Time Away and Returning Student Support

For a variety of reasons, students may need to take some time away from their academic pursuits in their time at Notre Dame.

To help undergraduate students navigate the time away and return process, Time Away Coordinators work closely with campus partners to streamline the leave experience and provide connection and support to students as they prepare to return.

Requirements for graduate and professional students requesting time away vary by department, and students should engage with their program of study to learn more. Requirements for graduate and professional students requesting a return to the University can be found here.

For more information about the support services offered through the Center for Student Support and Care to students either taking time away or returning to the University, please email timeaway@nd.edu.

Meeting with a Time Away Coordinator

Undergraduate students interested in taking a leave of absence should first schedule an appointment with a Time Away Coordinator who can help to streamline the leave experience, provide continuity of care, and ensure a supportive return process.

Time Away Coordinators are assigned to students based on a student’s academic program. Please select an area of study to schedule an appointment to learn more about the time away process and available support services.

For additional information or questions, please email timeaway@nd.edu.

Checklist for Requesting Time Away

Following an initial conversation with a Time Away Coordinator, students can also expect to complete the following steps:

Types of Time Away: Undergraduate Students Only

While time away can take on many forms depending on a student’s individual needs, all time away falls under one of the following University leave categories. Students unsure of what category meets their present situation should email timeaway@nd.edu for additional guidance.

Voluntary Leave

  • Health Leave of Absence
    A Health Leave of Absence involves taking time away from the University to address a specific health concern. This often involves medical and/or psychiatric treatment, skill-building, and lifestyle changes. Students who take a Health Leave of Absence work to address their health concerns with the goal of returning to Notre Dame once the issue has been properly managed or, in some cases, resolved. A Health Leave of Absence can be taken during or between academic semesters.

  • Voluntary Withdrawal
    A Voluntary Withdrawal may be taken for any reason when a student needs to step away from the University to focus on other things. This type of leave is used when the student decides to leave after the academic semester has already begun and before the semester has concluded.

  • Voluntary Withdrawal Between Semesters
    If a student decides not to return to the University after the successful completion of an academic semester, a Voluntary Withdrawal Between Semesters may be taken. This type of withdrawal must occur during a semester break in either the summer months or between December and January.

Involuntary Leave

  • Academic Dismissal
    Students who do not meet the requirements for good academic standing as set forth by the Undergraduate Academic Code may face a temporary or permanent Academic Dismissal and will be involuntarily withdrawn from the University.

  • Administrative Withdrawal
    ND Roll Call is a required process through the Office of the Registrar that informs the University that a student is attending the upcoming semester, even after registering for classes. ND Roll Call begins a few days before each semester and ends on the sixth class day. Students who have not completed ND Roll Call by the sixth class day are involuntarily withdrawn from the University.

  • Disciplinary Dismissal
    Students who violate expectations set forth in the Undergraduate Academic Code and/or Standards of Conduct may face temporary or permanent dismissal. The process for these reviews is outlined in du Lac: A Guide to Student Life.