LEAVE OF ABSENCE OR WITHDRAW
A leave of absence is often called LOA at Pratt and some students refer to it as a “gap year.” Students are eligible to request one or two semesters of LOA. Students in their first semester are not eligible for an LOA and only have the option to withdraw.
Withdraw from Pratt is a more permanent leave. If you withdraw, you will need to apply for readmission in order to return. The readmission application is not difficult, but it is important you apply in a timely manner to return. The Registrar is in charge of LOA/withdrawal policy and may grant an exception if you need longer leave for mandatory military service in your home country.
If you are thinking of taking time off, OIA recommends you consult with your academic/departmental advisor first. Tell your advisor honestly about your situation and find out how taking time off will impact your academic progress and your future return. For example, based on course sequencing, you may not be able to take one semester LOA; rather, it may need to be a full year before you return.
At the same time you submit an LOA or Withdrawal, you should submit either the Early Exit request or the Transfer-out request to OIA. Please read below about these two options before you request LOA or Withdraw. When you understand all the implications, submit the appropriate eForm to the Office of the Registrar, and the appropriate request in your OIA Student Portal for your immigration status.
You may wish to submit the LOA or Withdrawal before the first day of classes. Otherwise you will have to pay some of your tuition bill for that semester and the amount you must pay increases as the semester progresses. You can contact Student Financial Services if you have questions about this.
When you submit the LOA or Withdrawal request, it will take some time to be signed electronically by various offices, and you will receive notification after the final step, when the Registrar approves the form. That process can take anywhere from several days to several weeks. In the meantime, OIA will be processing your Early Exit or Transfer-Out request and notifying you when it is complete.
TRANSFER-OUT YOUR F-1 STATUS TO A NEW SCHOOL
If you will continue study in the U.S. at another school, please review our Transfer-Out information. To be eligible for transfer-out to continue your current F-1 status with the new school, you must have an offer of admission that shows your new studies begin within five months. In this case, you should request Transfer-Out in the OIA Student Portal, no later than the date you submit your LOA or Withdrawal request.
EARLY EXIT FROM F-1 STATUS
If you are doing LOA or Withdraw, and returning home, you should submit an Early Exit request in the OIA Student Portal. You should submit the Early Exit request to OIA at the same time you request Leave of Absence or Withdrawal.
Early Exit has important implications on your future eligibility for practical training (CPT/OPT) upon your return. Before you make your decision, please make sure you understand how this relates to your future plans to complete your studies.
After submitting the your Early Exit request, you will have a 15 day grace period to remain in valid F-1 status. You need to make travel plans to leave the U.S. within 15 days of the date you submit your LOA or Withdrawal request and the OIA Early Exit request.
The Early Exit request will prompt our Designated School Official (DSO) to end your current I-20 and SEVIS status with a neutral “authorized early withdrawal” termination reason. This termination reason should not cause problems for your future travel to the U.S.
Later, when you are ready to return to Pratt, you will need to follow our procedures for Returning Students.
MEDICAL EXCEPTION TO REMAIN IN THE U.S.
If you have a bonafide medical situation that requires treatment in the U.S. and prevents you from engaging in study altogether, you may be eligible for an approval to remain in the U.S. This is only possible under very specific circumstances. If you feel this is your situation, you should reach out to Pratt’s Student Advocate and Care Coordinator, who will assess your situation and coordinate with OIA as needed.
RETURNING WITHIN FIVE MONTHS
If there is less than five months between when you submitted the LOA/withdrawal request and the start date of the semester in which you want to return, you may be eligible for an OIA DSO to re-activate your terminated F-1 SEVIS record. This has benefits including maintaining CPT/OPT eligibility and avoiding having to repay the SEVIS fee. Please consult with OIA@pratt.edu as needed.