Gwynedd Mercy University 2025-2026 University Catalog 29
Withdrawal from the University All students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete a University Withdrawal form. Students who withdraw from the University will need to re- apply to the University should they wish to return after one calendar year. Once the course begins, students are financially responsible for all courses from which they withdraw. If applicable, the official date when a student withdraws from the university( designated by the date the student notifies the university of the decision to withdraw) is the basis to determine refunds, tuition or financial aid adjustments.
Program Leave of Absence( LOA)
Undergraduate Students: Online Programs and Accelerated Nursing Program
The Federal government has determined that a“ break in attendance” of more than 60 days( excluding University scheduled calendar breaks) will affect the student’ s success in completing the program. All students with a“ break in attendance” must submit a Leave of Absence( LOA) form to their advisor and Financial Aid for approval, or the student will be withdrawn from the program. The LOA form will indicate to the University how long the student will be out of attendance and the reason. LOA request forms must be submitted within 10 days of the student’ s Last Date of Attendance( LDA). All parts to the LOA request form must be completed in order for the LOA to be considered for approval by the Financial Aid office. Students can take a maximum of 120 days in one LOA with a total maximum of 180 days in a 12-month period. LOA requests will be denied if the break is under 60 days or if the student has exceeded 180 days.
The twelve-month period begins with the start of the first leave. Student returning from a first leave of absence must complete at least one course, with a grade other than“ W” or“ I” prior to requesting a second leave. If the LOA is not completed or approved, the student will be withdrawn from the program and may be required to re-apply for admission.
Accelerated Nursing( ABSN): Students enrolled in an Accelerated Nursing Program will only be granted an LOA if they must repeat a course due to failure, and the break in attendance is more than 60 days.
Graduate Students A graduate student enrolled in a Term Program who is forced to interrupt his or her studies should, with the approval of his or her advisor, write to the College Dean requesting leave and stating the reasons. The student’ s request for leave is granted by the College Dean.
Interruptions in a student’ s studies are normally granted for no more than one calendar year. The period of a leave granted by the Dean will not be counted toward the time limit applied to the degree. A leave already granted can be extended at the discretion of the College Dean, but more than one leave is not normally granted. This is a program leave of absence and is not to be considered a leave of absence from the University. Students who are not enrolled in courses for a semester will be reported to the National Student Clearinghouse as withdrawn.
Graduate Online Programs Graduate students enrolled in Online Programs are required to attend all classes and to fully participate in online classes. The Federal government has determined that 60 days or more is a break in attendance and will affect the student’ s success in completing program as outlined in course schedule. All breaks in attendance must have an approved Leave of Absence( LOA) or student will be administratively