1. What is the difference between a Voluntary Break (Hiatus/Withdrawal) and a Medical Leave?
- Voluntary Break / Hiatus: This is student-initiated when you need to step away for personal, financial, or career reasons. You choose the duration—such as the remainder of a quarter, one quarter, or up to two quarters—and complete an official withdrawal form.
- Medical Leave: This covers absences due to severe physical or psychological health conditions. While students usually request this voluntarily, Life University also maintains an Involuntary Leave Policy for extreme situations where a student’s health severely compromises campus safety or their own ability to function.
2. What are the step-by-step administrative requirements to withdraw or take a hiatus?
To legally pause your enrollment and avoid administrative penalties, you must complete the official Life University Withdrawal/Hiatus Form. The process requires a physical “signature track” to ensure no loose ends are left behind:
- Step 1: State your reason for leaving and specify your timeline for return (e.g., 1, 2, or 3+ quarters).
- Step 2: Visit the Dean’s Office in the Center for Chiropractic Education (CCE) Building to establish your official last day of academic attendance based on faculty records.
- Step 3: Take the form to the Student Advocacy Center to obtain mandatory clearing signatures from Financial Aid, the Registrar, Student Accounts, and Housing & Residence Life (if you live in the Commons or LVR).
3. What happens if I just stop going to class without completing the form?
Do not simply stop attending. Under Life University Attendance Policy AS.001, missing classes for 14 consecutive days without an authorized leave triggers an automatic administrative withdrawal. This can negatively impact your GPA (resulting in “F” or “W” grades) and immediately jeopardize your federal financial aid eligibility.
4. What are the rules for International D.C. students?
If you are an international student on an F-1 visa, you must receive prior authorization from a Designated School Official (DSO) in the Department of International Programs before withdrawing or taking a hiatus. Leaving without DSO approval will result in the immediate termination of your Form I-20 and impact your legal visa status in the United States.
5. How do I return to the D.C. program after my break?
When your leave ends, you must apply for formal readmission through the Admissions department. Readmission is contingent upon clearing any prior financial holds with Student Accounts and resolving any academic restrictions.