Gwynedd Mercy University 2026-2027 University Catalog
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 All breaks in attendance must have an approved Leave of Absence( LOA) or student will be administratively withdrawn from program. The Leave request will inform 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 total maximum of 180 days in a 12-month period. LOA requests will be denied if the student has exceeded 180 days. The twelve-month period begins with the start of the first 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If the LOA is not completed or approved, the student will be withdrawn from the program and may be required to re-apply for admission. If program withdrawal paperwork is not completed by student, then student will be withdrawn from program by their advisor.
Students out of attendance for 14 days but fewer than 60 days must submit their scheduled reentry date in writing.
Planned LOA LOA requests must be completed and submitted prior to student’ s Last Date of Attendance( LDA).
• For students out of attendance more than 60 days, a course withdrawal request becomes a Leave of Absence( LOA) request and it must be approved or denied based on LOA criteria.
• All parts to the LOA request must be completed in order for academic advisor to review LOA. These include the student’ s LDA, Scheduled Reentry Date, Reason, and Signature.
• Students who do not provide a reentry date within the prescribed timeframe will be withdrawn from the program.
• If submitted after LDA, it will be reviewed using unforeseen circumstance criteria, which is indicated on the Leave of Absence Request form. Proof of unforeseen circumstances is required.
• LOA will be denied if over 180 days, or if a student accumulates periods of non-attendance of 180 days or more within a calendar year period.
Unplanned LOA
• Students must complete LOA request and submit documentation.
• LOA requests approved for unforeseen circumstances will be evaluated to determine if the course is dropped or withdrawn. If dropped, the course will be removed from the transcript and all charges to be removed from the student’ s account. If withdrawn, the course will remain on the transcript with a“ W” grade, and charges will be assessed based on the refund policy.
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