Leave of Absence/Medical Withdrawal
Students may withdraw from Belmont Abbey College in good standing on a leave of absence for treatment of a medical condition or for other good reasons. If the reason is non-medical, the student must apply to the office of the Chief Academic Officer for a leave of absence. Federal Financial Aid regulations govern billing and refund procedures for students who receive aid. Therefore, any student seeking a medical withdrawal should consult with his or her Financial Aid Counselor to understand what tuition obligations he or she will bear for the portion of the semester completed prior to withdrawal. Students with health and medical issues that cause them to miss half or more of the total class sessions for any course will be accommodated with a medical withdrawal. The student must provide medical documentation in such cases to avoid having a failing mark for the course posted to his or her transcript.
To obtain a medical leave of absence, the student must apply to the Registrar with supporting documentation from a physician or counselor. These materials will be reviewed by campus medical personnel before a medical withdrawal or a leave of absence is granted. All medical records are confidential and will not be released to anyone other than the Director of the Wellness Center or Counseling Center.
A student granted a leave of absence for up to three years may return to the College without reapplying for admission by contacting the Registrar’s office and notifying them of the intent to return. Students applying for readmission to the College following a medical withdrawal must provide documentation from a treating physician on their current condition indicating that the applicant is now able to meet his or her responsibilities as a student. This documentation will be provided to the Director of the Wellness Center, who will review it in consultation with the Dean for Student Life.
If the student intends to return in the fall semester, the College must be notified by May 1; if the student intends to return in the spring semester, the College must be notified by December 1. In addition, transcripts must be sent to the Registrar if the student completed any academic work at other colleges or universities during his or her leave of absence.
Students who are not in good standing at the time of their departure, or who are gone for more than three years, are not eligible for the leave of absence policy described above, and must complete the regular admissions process if they wish to return.