CORNELL LAW SCHOOL

Leaves of Absence

The expectation of the Law School is that, once a student begins their studies, they will complete the degree program in the standard length of time (e.g., three years for a J.D. student). However, in appropriate cases, a Cornell law student in good academic standing may apply for a leave of absence prior to completing the degree, such leave to take effect immediately upon completion of the semester in which the application is made. 

Where the leave begins during a given semester, the student would normally be expected to return at the beginning of that same semester the following year. Prior to the expiration of the leave, a student may request, in writing, a one-year extension of the leave. 

If a leave of absence is granted, the Law School and/or the University will maintain jurisdiction over the adjudication of any Law School and/or University disciplinary action involving the student. A student may be required to participate in the adjudication of the disciplinary action while on leave.

Please note that the instructions, policies, and requirements vary for each Leave of Absence. Failure to complete the correct process and obtain the necessary approvals may result in enrollment and degree conferral issues.

In all instances, the Dean of Students Office will notify the student of final approval for leaves and returns, and will coordinate with the student and appropriate Law School departments on the administration of these policies.

Initiating a Personal Leave of Absence

A student may choose to request a Personal Leave of Absence (PLOA) due to a professional or academic opportunity, or personal circumstances that are not related to a health condition. Students seeking an PLOA should complete the below series of administrative processes.

Step 1: Meet with the Dean of Students 

During this meeting, a representative from the Dean of Students Office will discuss options and provide the necessary information to help students comply with law school and university policies.

Step 2: Meet with the Law School Student Financial Services Department

When a student decides to take a personal leave of absence from studies, it’s important to understand the financial implications. Please email Cornell Law School Financial Aid to set up an appointment with a financial aid officer.

Step 3: Petition for a Personal Leave of Absence

To be approved for a Personal Leave, a student must submit a written petition to the Administrative Committee describing the reasons for the leave. This petition must be approved before a PLOA is requested through the University.

Step 4: Submit a Personal Leave of Absence

The final step is to initiate your PLOA with Cornell University. Students are responsible for initiating PLOA requests by submitting the request form via withdrawal.cornell.edu. 

Returning from Personal Leave of Absence

Before the end of the semester in which the Personal Leave is scheduled to expire, the student must notify the Dean of Students that they expect to return to school at the beginning of the following semester.

Included in the notification must be a statement that the student has not been charged with any crime during the period of the leave or, if a student has been charged with a crime, the full details of the incident(s) leading to the charge. The student should include in their petition the outcome of their Leave. For instance if the student pursued an outside degree, was the degree successfully completed. If conditions have been attached to the leave, the student must demonstrate that such conditions have been satisfied.

Initiating a Health Leave of Absence

A student may choose to request a Health Leave of Absence (HLOA) as a disability accommodation or to provide time needed to pursue treatment for a health condition. Students seeking this kind of leave have an intent to return to academic pursuits at the university.

Students seeking an HLOA should complete the below series of administrative processes.

Step 1: Meet with the Dean of Students 

During this meeting, a representative from the Dean of Students Office will discuss options and provide the necessary information to help students comply with law school and university policies.

Step 2: Meet with the University Health Leave Coordinator

Before you submit a formal HLOA request, it is important that you have information about the process and implications of taking a Health Leave of Absence. Please email healthleaves@cornell.edu or make an appointment with the Health Leaves Coordinator, who can facilitate consultations with health care providers, Student Disability Services, and your academic program before granting a Health Leave of Absence. The Health Leaves Coordinator will also help you identify other logistical steps you may need to take as you leave the university.

Step 3: Request HLOA with Student Disability Services

Complete the online Health Leave of Absence Request Form. Once this form has been received by the Health Leave Coordinator, you will be asked to provide information and documentation about the disability or medical/medical health reason for which you need a leave of absence within five business days of your HLOA request. 

Full instructions and requirements for requesting and being approved for a Health Leave of Absence can be found on the University HLOA website. Students are responsible for completing each step outlined on that website, and for being informed of the requirements for leave and return, include deadlines and required processes.

Step 4: Meet with the Law School Student Financial Services Department

When you decide to take a leave of absence from your studies, it’s important to understand the financial implications. Please email Cornell Law School Financial Aid to set up an appointment with a financial aid officer.

Returning from Health Leave of Absence

Before the end of the semester in which the Health Leave is scheduled to expire, the student must notify the Health Leave Coordinator and the Law Dean of Students that they expect to return to school at the beginning of the following semester.

Step 1: Request to Return

To initiate your return from HLOA, complete this brief request to return form. 

Step 2: Document of Fitness to Return

Full instructions and requirements for documenting your fitness to return from a Health Leave of Absence can be found on the here. Students are responsible for completing each step outlined on that website, and for being informed of the requirements for leave and return, include deadlines and required processes.

The Health Leaves Coordinator may request additional information or documentation to establish your fitness to return to your studies at Cornell.

Step 3: Petition to Return with Faculty Administrative Committee

Once your documentation of fitness to return has been reviewed and approved by the Health Leave Coordinator, the Law School will be notified that you have completed the health clearance component of the return process. You will then need to petition the Faculty Administrative Committee to return to your Law studies.

When you petition the Administrative Committee to return to Cornell Law, you will be required to demonstrate the ability to comply with the rigorous demands of our program of legal education. As a general matter, the Administrative Committee will not permit you to resume your studies unless the Committee is satisfied that you have the ability to complete law school and the judgment and integrity to function as a member of the legal profession.

The Committee also must be satisfied that the circumstances which led to the leave are resolved or adequately addressed. You may do so by identifying a plan to manage your condition in a way that will allow you to fulfill your academic commitments and avoid further interruptions to your education.

 If the Administrative Committee determines that the student will not be permitted to return to the Law School, that decision may be appealed to the Dean of the Law School. The Dean’s decision will be final. The Law School may modify its leave policy in light of experience and to remain consistent with the law.

Withdrawals

A student may withdraw from the law school at any time by submitting a written notice of withdrawal to the Law School Registrar. The withdrawal is effective on the date the written notice is received by the Registrar. A student who withdraws from the law school is not entitled to return. Please submit withdrawal requests to https://withdrawal.cornell.edu/.

Tuition refund policy.

Amounts personally paid for tuition may be refunded if the student requests a leave of absence or withdrawal from the Law School. The date of the written request will determine the tuition liability for the semester. Previously matriculated students who terminate their registration with the university during a fall or spring semester in this manner will be charged tuition from registration day through the date of their request as follows: first six days of the semester (including registration day), no charge; seventh day of the semester, 10 percent; second week, 20 percent; third week, 30 percent; fourth week, 40 percent; fifth week, 60 percent; sixth week, 80 percent; seventh week to the end of the semester, 100 percent.

First-time matriculates will be charged tuition from the university registration day through the date of their request as follows: first six days of the semester (including university registration day), no charge; seventh day of the semester, 10 percent; second and third weeks, 20 percent; fourth week, 30 percent; fifth and sixth weeks, 40 percent; seventh week, 50 percent; eighth and ninth weeks, 60 percent; tenth week to the end of the semester, 100 percent.

Repayment policy.  Students receiving financial aid from Cornell University or the Law School who withdraw or take a leave of absence during a term will have their aid reevaluated, possibly necessitating repayment of a portion of aid received. Repayment to aid accounts depends on the type of aid received, government regulations, and the period of time in attendance. Students with questions should consult with the Law School’s director of financial aid.

For more information, refer to the Leaves and Withdrawals policy page on the Financial Aid website.