Leave of Absence Policy (Non-Installment Payments)

Leaves of absence are granted to students who wish to discontinue the program temporarily due to compelling or compassionate circumstances. Compelling or compassionate circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

• Serious illness
• Serious illness or death of an immediate family member
• Serious injury
• Family leave
• Military leave or deployment – spouse
• Natural disaster

To request a leave of absence, the student must contact their instructor for a Leave of Absence Request Form, indicate the reasons for the request, and submit the online form as indicated by their instructor. When reviewing a request for a leave of absence, additional information or documentation from the student may be required. Once the student’s request has been received and it has been confirmed, the student is in good standing, the student will receive e-mail notification when the request has been processed and a copy will be maintained in the student’s file.

A student in good standing will:

• Be up to date on all coursework and assignments with regular logins and assignment submissions, without extended unexcused absences
• Have consistent and timely communication with their Instructor
• Be achieving proficiency in their respective program
• Have no outstanding financial obligations

Leaves of absences are limited to a period of three (3) months. If a student is not prepared to return to active status after three (3) months, the Instructor will review the student’s record and future plans to determine whether an additional leave is in the best interest of the student, the program, and AHDPG.

NOTE: A leave of absence does not suspend one’s financial obligation to the program.

In order to be reinstated to active status, the student must notify their Instructor in writing via e-mail ten (10) days prior to returning to the program and contact the Student Services Coordinator to pay a reinstatement fee of $195. The student must then return to active status immediately following the expiration of the leave of absence.

If a student does not return at the end of an approved leave of absence, the terms of the Withdrawal/Refund Policy will apply. If the leave of absence expires and the student wishes to return to the program, an application for readmission to the course will be required.