LOA Checklist

BEFORE YOUR LEAVE OF ABSENCE

• Schedule a Meeting with your Student Success Advisor (SSA) to go over the Leave of Absence (LOA) process: A leave of absence is defined as a temporary withdrawal from the College with an intent to return within one year. During this meeting with your SSA, you’ll go over your updated program trajectory, your communication plan with your SSA and any implications that your LOA will have for your placement process etc.

• File your LOA Paperwork: You may access the required official Leave of Absence documentation here. 

• If you are registered, drop your classes: Please note that you should be able to drop all your classes except for one. The final class will be dropped when your LOA paperwork is fully processed.

• Notify your facilitators: If you have already registered for courses, connect with your facilitators to notify them of your upcoming LOA, and that you will not be returning to class this term.
  
  

• Notify your Site Supervisor and Placement Specialist: If you are registered for placement, notify these parties that you will be taking an LOA and will not be returning this term. If possible, provide your Placement Specialist with your timeline for return.
  
  

• Review your Financial Plan: Reach out to both the Office of Financial Aid (finaid@emerson.edu) and Student Accounts (bills@emerson.edu) to discuss the financial implications of taking an LOA. The Billing Office is available at 617-824-8655 to answer any questions you may have.If you plan on applying for federal student loans, please fill out the FAFSA. 

  • Please note - if you have borrowed Unsubsidized or Graduate PLUS loans, you will need to complete Federal Student Loan Exit Counseling. 

• Save Portfolio work from pre-Leave of Absence: When you return from LOA, you will be switched to a new portfolio section. In order to make this a smooth transition, be sure to save all of your submitted portfolio coursework before returning, so that you can re-upload it to the new section.
  
  

• Bookmark the Academic Calendar: It’s important for you to stay tuned into important dates like registration so that you can plan ahead. You can find the current academic calendar here.

DURING YOUR LEAVE OF ABSENCE

• Communications with Your SSA: Expect regular outreach from your SSA during your leave, with a minimum of every 30 days. Work with your SSA to find a cadence that works best for your needs. If you are considering requesting to extend your leave beyond the initial specified time frame or should your leave become permanent, you may be required to submit additional paperwork.
  
  

• Complete the Return from Leave of Absence (RLOA) Form: Fill out the RLOA Form at least 16 weeks before your scheduled return date. You will have a hold on your account until the paperwork has been processed. Paperwork can take several weeks to process, so submitting the form within the specified time frame will maximize the probability that you will be able to register on time.  

  • Health LOA students: If you are returning from a Medical/Health Leave of Absence, you will additionally need to complete the Health Readiness to Return form, sending it to studentsuccess@emerson.edu.

  • Important note for students returning into a semester with placement: Paperwork must be completed within the 16 week timeframe to allow adequate time for the Placement Team to secure your placement upon return to the program.
    
    

• Check Your Emerson Email: While on LOA, you will continue to receive regular important communications from Emerson via your Emerson Email address. Per the Acceptable Use Policy, students, faculty, and staff are expected to check their @emerson.edu email accounts regularly. Please be sure to do so, and/or set up email forwarding.

• Digital Protocol Library: While on a Leave of Absence (LOA), you will be removed from the Digital Protocol Library. Once you return and your status is updated from LOA to active, access to the library will be restored. If you went on LOA as a new student and before signing your terms of use agreement, you’ll have a registration hold to complete the request before being able to register. For more information on registration holds, please refer to the registration page on the Student Hub.
  
  

4-6 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR RETURN

• Schedule a meeting with your SSA to discuss a success plan for returning to the program.  You may also be invited to a discussion with your Program Advisor, dependent on where you are in your program trajectory.

• Consider connecting with a Student Ambassador  to brainstorm tips and tricks for reacclimating to the program. Visit this page of the Hub for more information.

• Sign the Student Agreement: Students must sign the Student Agreement at the start of each term. Until the agreement is signed, there will be a hold on your account that will prevent you from registering.
  
  

• Registration: Registration is completed on myEmerson. Registration instructions will be provided periodically leading up to registration. Check your Emerson College email frequently so that you stay up to date and have adequate time to prepare. Ensure you check for any holds that may cause registration delays.
  
  

• Technology Next Steps: Verify that you can log into myEmerson and Digital Campus in preparation for registration and your return. If you need a refresher on the Digital Campus, please contact your SSA to join a technical training session.
  
  

• Finalize Your Financial Plan: Reconnect with the Office of Financial Aid (finaid@emerson.edu) and the Billing Office (bills@emerson.edu) to finalize your financial plan. This will ensure you will be set to register when you return.
  
  

• Arrange accommodations: (if applicable): If you require accommodations to meet your educational needs, schedule an appointment with the Student Accessibility Services at sas@emerson.edu or 617.824.8592.
  
  

• Ensure CastleBranch Requirements are up to date: If you are returning for Applied Graduate coursework, log into CastleBranch and connect with your SSA to ensure that all of your clearances are up to date prior to your return

2 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR RETURN

• Purchase your textbooks: Textbooks can be ordered from the Emerson Emporium.
  
  

• Pay Tuition Bill: Plan to connect with the Billing Office at bills@emerson.edu to ensure your tuition is paid prior to your return. This will ensure you are able to register for classes on time.
  
  

• Complete Week 1 coursework: You will get access to your classes on Digital Campus two weeks prior to the start of the term. Complete all Week 1 coursework and Module 1 readings listed in your syllabus prior to your first live session