Leave of Absence
All undergraduate students who are planning an absence from George Mason must submit a formal request for Leave of Absence (LOA) to the Office of Academic Affairs.
Students do not need to complete the LOA form if they are participating in a George Mason University-sponsored study abroad program or have received permission to study elsewhere.
During their leave period, students are responsible for staying informed about any changes to the curriculum, four-year plans, and course offerings that may affect their academic progress.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a Leave of Absence, a student must:
- Be eligible to register for classes.
- Be a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
- Have been registered during the semester immediately prior to the beginning of the Leave of Absence.
- Have no holds, such as disciplinary or financial holds, that would restrict registration.
How to Request a Leave of Absence
Students should submit their Leave of Absence request through the University Registrar's online form.
Step 1: Review Your Eligibility
Before submitting your request, confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements listed above.
Step 2: Review Your Registration
If you are registered for classes during the semester in which your Leave of Absence will begin, you must make sure your registration is addressed appropriately before your leave can be processed.
Step 3: Submit the University Registrar's LOA Form
Complete the Undergraduate Leave of Absence form through the Office of the University Registrar.
The Registrar's current instructions indicate that students sign in with their Mason credentials, review their student information, and select whether they wish to begin, extend, or end a leave. The submitted form is reviewed through the University's approval process.
University Registrar - Forms website
For Military LOA please submit your Military LOA request through the link provided under the Military Leave Instructions section below and be sure to send a copy of your official military enlistment (입영사실확인서) to mkaa@gmu.edu.
- Go to Patriot Web and make sure you are not registered for any classes during your Leave of Absence.
- Obtain verification of your official military enlistment (입영사실확인서).
- Please search for Leave of Absence from the University Registrar - Forms website and submit your form.
- Submit a copy of your military enlistment verification to the Office of Academic Affairs at G536 or mkaa@gmu.edu.
- Make sure to check your university email regularly for any additional requests.
Please note that the leave will not be processed until you complete all of the steps listed above. After completing the steps above, please check “Student Information” menu in your Patriot Web to confirm whether your leave has been processed.
If your military enlistment condition requires more than two years of leave of absence, you must consult with the Office of Academic Affairs prior to submitting your application for military leave.
- Go to Patriot Web and make sure you are not registered for any classes during your Leave of Absence.
- Respond to Leave of Absence Survey.
- Please search for Leave of Absence from the University Registrar - Forms website and submit your form.
- Make sure to check your university email regularly for any additional requests.
Please note that the leave will not be processed until you complete all of the steps listed above. After completing the steps above, please check “Student Information” menu in your Patriot Web to confirm whether your leave has been processed.
- The maximum time allowed for a Leave of Absence is two years.
* If your military enlistment condition requires more than two years of leave of absence, you must consult with the Office of Academic Affairs prior to submitting your application for military leave. - A new admission application will be required if a student is away for more than two academic years without an approved leave of absence on file. Re-admission is not guaranteed.
- Prior approval is required. Advisors approve one-semester requests. Advisor and Dean approval is required if the leave of absence requested is for more than one semester.
- Students do not need to complete the Leave of Absence form if they are participating in a George Mason University sponsored study abroad program or have received permission to study elsewhere.
- Students are not permitted to study elsewhere while on a Leave of Absence.
- A student who was admitted as a new first semester freshman or transfer student but did not attend will not be eligible for a Leave of Absence. Instead, he or she must contact the Office of Admissions and Enrollment.
- A student who was re-admitted but did not attend will not be eligible for a Leave of Absence. He or she must contact the Office of Admissions and Enrollment.
- Requests for extensions on a previously submitted Leave of Absence require submission of a new Leave of Absence form.
- The following criteria are also required.
A student must:
i. Be eligible to register for classes
ii. Be a degree‐seeking undergraduate student
iii. Be registered during the semester immediately prior to the beginning
of the Leave of Absence
iv. Have no holds (e.g., disciplinary, financial, etc.) which would restrict registration