Leave of Absence and Withdrawal

Absent for one semester

If you have completed at least one semester (Spring or Fall) at SJSU, you are eligible for a One Semester Leave, which means you can skip one semester without notifying SJSU. You will receive a registration appointment in MySJSU for the semester following your One Semester Leave and you must enroll. 

Absent for two or more consecutive semesters

If you need two or more consecutive semesters off (Spring and Fall), you must submit a Leave Request prior to the start of the semester after a One Semester Leave. The maximum leave is four semesters.

Note: Students will not have access to your MySJSU after being out for longer than 12 months.

Types of Eligible Leaves

View Leaves of Absence and Withdrawal policy on SJSU catalog for the eligible types of leaves:

  • One Semester Leaves: for continuing students only; petition is not required, but enrollment is required the following term
  • First-Semester Leaves
  • Medical Leaves
  • Primary Caregiver Leaves
  • Personal Hardship Leaves
  • Military Leaves
  • Planned Student Educational Leaves
  • International Student Leaves
  • Withdrawal from the University 

Process:

Returning from Leave of Absence

  • Students must enroll after the last semester of their leave
  • To return early, you must notify the Office of the Registrar in writing
  • Students granted a leave are guaranteed a return to their department 

Withdrawal

Students do not need to submit any forms to formally withdraw from SJSU. We automatically cancel your student status if you do not enroll for two or more consecutive semesters(Spring and Fall). However, if you are currently enrolled, you should formally drop all classes via MySJSU by the drop deadline(see calendar for deadline date) to avoid academic penalty. 

If the drop deadline has passed:

  • Undergraduate students will need to submit the Withdrawal from Semester Request which is available on Undergraduate Education's Petitions page.
  • Graduate students need to file Graduate Petition for Course Drop/Semester Withdrawal. Go to GAPE Forms page and look under Special Petitions.

Maintaining Student Status

You are considered an active continuing student if you are enrolled in at least one class per semester.  There is no minimum unit required.

If you will miss two consecutive semesters (as defined as Spring and Fall Terms), you must reapply for admission through the Cal State Apply site as a Returning student. If you have any questions about re-applying, contact the Admissions office

If you are a new student and do not attend your the first term of admission,you must reapply for admission to the next available term through the Cal State Apply site.