Leave of Absence Policy

Students may request a Leave of Absence (LOA) if they require an extended period of time away from their studies. Students may request an LOA by completing the Leave of Absence form located in the Student Portal. A student cannot begin an LOA while enrolled in a course. Students must have completed a course at Aspen University before they are eligible for a leave of absence.

Once an LOA is approved, the student must participate in their next course prior to the end date of their LOA or risk being administratively withdrawn from the University.

The maximum allowable time for an LOA is 180 calendar days within one calendar year from the student’s last date of attendance. All approved LOAs are granted for up to 180 calendar days starting from the last date of attendance, but the student may return to their program sooner by enrolling and participating in a course. Students who do not enroll and participate in a course within two start dates of their last date of attendance and who are not on an approved LOA will be administratively withdrawn from the university for violating the Continuous Enrollment Policy.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The University will no longer accept readmission applications after December 30, 2025, see Readmission Policy. Students who are withdrawn after this date will not have the opportunity to return. Students are strongly encouraged to restart their coursework after returning from an LOA.

Federal Student Aid Recipients

Aspen University’s Leave of Absence (LOA) is an academic leave of absence and does not meet Department of Education leave of absence standards. Therefore, students will be considered withdrawn for financial aid purposes. When an academic LOA is approved, the student must participate in their next term prior to the end date of their LOA. Students who do not participate in their next term prior to their end date may be Administratively Withdrawn from the University.

Financial Aid recipients are responsible for meeting with the Office of Financial Aid prior to beginning an academic Leave of Absence. The Office of Financial Aid will explain how the academic Leave of Absence may impact the student’s financial aid eligibility.