Withdrawal and Return from Absence

In This Section:

 

Voluntary Leave

All Faculty of Arts & Science students in good academic standing or on academic probation may take a voluntary leave from studies without formal authorization. No specific documentation or approval is required.

How to Take a Voluntary Leave

To take a voluntary leave from studies, students have the option to: a) choose not to complete registration in a given academic period (e.g., Fall/Winter session, Fall or Winter term), or b) cancel their current registration in a given academic period. For students who have already completed registration, read below for more information on cancelling registration. If you are an international student considering a voluntary leave from your studies, it is strongly recommended that you refer to the Leave of Absence Policy for International Students for further information.

While on Leave

Generally, while on a voluntary leave, students will not pay any tuition, incidental, or ancillary fees; are not considered for scholarships or awards; cannot normally access University services including health services (with the exception of their College and Faculty Registrar’s Office); participate in student internships; or undertake undergraduate research. A student who chooses to take a voluntary leave from their studies is not exempt from academic deadlines, financial responsibilities, current or future policies, and fees schedules. Students who cancel their registration part-way through a term after tuition refund deadlines are responsible for any outstanding balance owed to the University. Students on leave may contact their College Registrar’s Office for advising.

Financial Considerations

Each student’s financial aid and award situation is unique. It is recommended that students meet with an advisor in their College Registrar’s Office when considering a voluntary leave of absence to discuss financial implications. An advisor can help review the impact on financial aid programs such as OSAP, out of province aid, University of Toronto Advanced Planning for Students (UTAPS), or US Loans; the impact for internal and external award payments; and, how tuition and refunds will apply. Students who plan to cancel their courses and registration part-way through a term should refer to their divisional refund schedule.

Questions

Students who have questions about taking a voluntary leave, withdrawal and/or registration timelines, and/or University resources available to students while on a voluntary leave should make an appointment with an advisor in their College Registrar’s Office.

 

Cancelling Registration

Students who wish to cancel all their current courses in the Fall/Winter Session or in the Summer Session, and who do not intend to enrol in any other courses for the rest of the Session, can cancel their registration on ACORN. If a student is unable to cancel their registration on ACORN, the student can contact their College Registrar’s Office. 

Cancellation of registration only occurs when all courses are cancelled by the deadline to cancel courses without academic penalty. If any courses remain on a student’s record for the academic session, such as a final mark, CR/NCR, P/FL, LWD or WDR, the registration for that Session cannot be cancelled. If a student has a question about a possible refund of their tuition, the student can contact their College Registrar’s Office. 

When cancelling their registration, students must: 

  1. pay any outstanding fees;
  2. return any books to the Library and pay any outstanding fines; and
  3. vacate any laboratory or athletic lockers and return any equipment in their possession.

Students who have not achieved final standing (a final passing mark/P/CR) in at least one course in the Faculty of Arts & Science who cancel their registration must re-apply for admission through the Ontario Universities Application Centre if they wish to return in the future.

 

Undergraduate Leave of Absence Policy for International Students

An approved leave of absence will be permitted for international undergraduate Faculty of Arts & Science students who have completed at least one academic term (e.g., Fall 2023 or Winter 2024) and whose current academic standing is in good standing or on academic probation. Students may request a leave for the Fall term, the Winter term, or the complete Fall/Winter session, for up to a maximum of two consecutive Fall/Winter sessions. Students should contact the Centre for International Experience to request a leave of absence. 

Newly admitted students are not eligible for a leave of absence and should instead, if relevant, request a deferral of admission.

Students may request a leave for the following reasons:

  • Serious health, personal or family issues
  • Issues related to child birth or child care
  • Military service

Students may extend an approved leave of absence for up to a maximum of two consecutive Fall/Winter sessions. An extension beyond two consecutive Fall/Winter sessions will not be approved; students may choose to continue a leave but it will not be considered an approved leave of absence.

Generally, while on approved leave, students do not pay any tuition, incidental, or ancillary fees; are not permitted to enrol in courses or register in the Faculty; are not considered for scholarships or awards; and cannot normally access University services (with the exception of their College Registrar’s Office and the Centre for International Experience), participate in student internships, or undertake undergraduate research. A student who has been granted an approved leave of absence under this policy is not exempt from academic deadlines, financial responsibilities, current or future policies, and fees schedules. Students who cancel their registration part-way through a term after tuition refund deadlines are responsible for any outstanding balance owed to the University. Students on leave may contact their College Registrar’s Office for advising.

To initiate a return to studies, students should contact their College Registrar’s Office at least one month in advance of the term or session in which they plan to resume their studies.

 

Return from Absence

Students who were previously registered as degree or non-degree students in the Faculty of Arts & Science, who have completed at least one course in the Faculty, and who have not been registered in the Faculty for at least 12 months must submit an application for re-registration through their College Registrar’s Office. Students who previously studied as non-degree visiting students do not request re-registration. They must submit a new visiting student application and valid letter of permission through Woodsworth College.

Students who were previously registered in the Faculty but who did not achieve final standing (e.g., a final grade or CR/NCR) in at least one course must re-apply for admission through the Ontario Universities Application Centre.

Students with outstanding accounts may not re-register at the University until these accounts are paid. 

The recommended timeframe to submit an application for re-registration is a minimum of two weeks prior to course enrolment for the relevant session. Course enrolment for the Fall/Winter session begins in July; course enrolment for the Summer session begins in March. Although applications for re-registration will continue to be accepted after these dates, please note that if enrolment has already started some courses may no longer have space. 

It is recommended that students planning to re-register make an appointment with an advisor in their College Registrar’s Office to discuss their academic plans, their degree and program requirements, and any changes in Faculty policies or procedures since their last registration.

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