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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
MD Education

Taking Time Off

Any student considering a taking time off should meet with the associate dean for Student Affairs, whose role is to explain the policy, offer support and help the student with any questions or concerns regarding time off. Students should also meet with the following AWOME staff members prior to taking time off:

  • Meet with the registrar to discuss time off plans, plans to return and scheduling.
  • Meet with the coordinator for Student Support Services to discuss health insurance, disability insurance, CTA UPass/Ventra card, pagers and Wildcard.
  • Meet with the Student Support and Wellness coordinator to turn in Wildcard and NMH Badge if you will take LOA.
  • Meet with the senior assistant director of Feinberg Financial Aid in AWOME if you have student loans.

Leave of Absence (LOA)

Leaves of absence are defined as a temporary separation from the university for a maximum of one year. Under some circumstances, the leave of absence may be renewed upon re-application and provision of justification. During a leave of absence, students will not be considered active students. A student on a leave of absence must surrender their NMH Badge, Wildcard and will not have access to CTA UPass/Ventra card, Northwestern student parking or student loans. Students who are on an approved leave of absence are permitted to remain enrolled in Northwestern University's Student Health Insurance Plan for the year in which they start on a leave. All leaves of absence must be approved. Once approved, student will receive a letter from the registrar approving the leave and outlining all details of the leave. We are required to report all leaves/interruption of medical education in the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). This is a brief, one-to-two-sentence description indicating the general reason for the leave.

A written request to take a leave for reasons of personal or family crisis must explain the nature of the situation, such as death, disability, or serious illness of a family member; collapse of financial support; or impending legal issue. The request must also explain how the student expects to cope with his or her particular situation before returning and the anticipated return date.

If a leave is being requested due to health reasons, a written request to drop for reason of illness must be made to the associate dean for Student Affairs and in some cases be accompanied by documentation from the treating physician stating that continuation by the student under the prevailing circumstances is not practical. In addition, the physician should project when the student might be able to resume their studies. It may be necessary, depending on circumstances, that a fitness for duty examination be performed on the student by appropriate professionals before re-entry to Feinberg is granted.

Before returning to academics, students on leave may be required to meet with the SPC. The committee will be interested in hearing how the student spent their time away from academics and how they have addressed their personal or academic issues. The SPC will determine if a return to academics is in the best interest of the student at that time. A formal response regarding a student's return will be sent to the student on behalf of the committee.

Independent Study

Students engaged in an approved research project may be placed on Independent Study for a period of up to one year. The research must be approved prior to the start of the Independent Study period. If the research approval is not received by the Office of Medical Education prior to the start of the requested time off, the student will be placed on a leave of absence for the duration of the time away. Independent Study status cannot be retroactively instated. During Independent Study status, a student will not have access to CTA UPass/Ventra card or federal student loans. Private student loans for living expenses may be an option for a maximum period of one year. Students enrolled in Independent Study are permitted to remain enrolled in NU-Student Health Insurance Plan for the year in which they start on a leave. We are required to report all leaves/interruption of medical education in the MSPE. This is a brief, one-to-two-sentence description indicating the general reason for time away.

Notice of students going on LOA or Independent Study will be provided to the University Registrar, Office of Student Accounts and Chicago Financial Aid by the Feinberg School of Medicine registrar.