If you are undertaking an internship or other degree requirements where you are going to be away from the campus for more than four consecutive weeks during an academic term you:
- Must obtain approval from your academic department/Faculty for this status each term.
- Will be assessed full-time tuition fees with reduced incidental fees (Finance website).
- Must attend mandatory pre-departure training before departure, if travelling internationally offered through Waterloo International (Waterloo International website).
If you are participating in a formal study agreement outside of Canada, you:
If you are enrolled in a graduate cooperative program going out on a co-op work term:
- You must obtain approval from your academic department/Faculty.
- Applicable tuition fees will be posted in Quest (Quest website).
- If you will be holding employment out of province/country, ensure that you have made arrangements to maintain your supplementary student health and dental plans. For more information contact: gsa-gm@uwaterloo.ca
- Your approved academic load in Quest (Quest website) will appear as part-time.
- You are permitted to enrol for a maximum of one half (0.50) credit course (additional fees will apply) while on your work term with the permission of your academic department/supervisor.
You may apply to your academic department/Faculty for up to two consecutive terms of inactive status (with the exception of maternity/parental leaves, which allows a maximum of five consecutive terms of inactive study, and medical leaves, where duration is dependent on a number of factors, including the recommendation of medical professionals).
Reasons for applying for a leave of absence include medical, maternity or parental leave, limited research or work opportunity (that is not related to your graduate program) or temporary financial difficulties where the university cannot provide hardship funds.
- A leave period is not included in the time limit for completion of your degree program
- Leaves of absence are not permitted in your first term of registration
- A leave of absence may be declined if a grade(s) of incomplete (INC) exists on your academic record
- Leaves coincide with the start and end of an academic term (e.g. winter - Jan to April; spring - May to August; fall - September to December)
- Tuition fees are not assessed, however, some incidental fees may apply (please consult the Finance-Student Financial Services website)
- If you are requesting more than two consecutive terms of inactive status other than for maternity/parental leave or medical leave, it is recommended that you voluntarily withdraw from your program until it is possible for you to resume your graduate program by applying for readmission
- If you wish to receive continued coverage in the supplementary student health and dental plans during your leave, email the Graduate Student Association (GSA) to make arrangements. If you are an international student, you are required to maintain UHIP coverage for the duration of the leave period
- Throughout your leave, you will not be eligible for graduate awards/funding, and repayment of certain scholarships may be required (repayment amounts are calculated based on the tuition refund policy). This may also have an effect on other types of funding that you may be receiving. For medical leave or maternity/parental leaves consult the Graduate Studies Awards and Funding web page
- Maternity/parental (birth or adoption) leave can be approved for up to five consecutive terms. Refer to section 13. Student's status and academic progression, of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar for more information
- If you are requesting to go inactive for medical reasons, you will be required to complete and submit the Graduate Student Medical Leave Verification form available on the AccessAbility Services website
Students who have been granted inactive status are not permitted to study or conduct research during their leave of absence and thus should not expect access to their supervisor. Students with inactive status will have limited access to the services of the university.