Student Status

Leave of Absence (LOA)

Occasionally, a student needs to disengage from the RMC curriculum. These students are placed on a leave of absence during which time they do not pay tuition, do not receive financial aid, and are not actively engaged in any work which fulfills requirements of the MD degree. For a fee, students on LOA may choose to remain on the RU student health insurance plan. Other RU and RMC services are not available to students on LOA. In an emergency situation or if a student is unable to complete the process of requesting a LOA, RMC has the right to administratively place a student on a LOA.

Requesting a Leave of Absence (LOA)

A student wishing to disengage from the RMC curriculum must first schedule an appointment with the appropriate Assistant or Associate Dean before the Senior Associate Dean can process an LOA. The student must adhere to all Rush University policies to obtain final permission for the LOA from the University. The maximum length of a LOA is one year; an extension of a LOA beyond one year requires a petition to the COSEP.

Returning from an LOA

A letter of intent indicating the student is prepared to return as a full-time student must be submitted to the appropriate Assistant or Associate Dean at least 6 weeks prior to the end of the LOA. If the leave was prompted by a medical issue, a letter from the treating health care professional is required indicating the student is fit to return to full-time status. RMC does not allow part-time enrollment. The decision of an Assistant or Associate Dean to approve a student’s request to return from a LOA is individualized, based on the student’s circumstances.

Financial Obligations

Students are required to meet with a financial aid counselor prior to approval of a LOA. Students who take a LOA are not eligible for financial aid during the leave and may be liable to return some aid already awarded. A LOA may also have an impact on future financial aid distributions. Financial aid is subject to federal aid regulations which require the repayment of loans if a student is disengaged for longer than 6 months.