Stopping Out

Students who opt to take one or more semesters off from University enrollment are said to “stop out.” Students who intend to return to the University and wish to maintain their Lindenwood grant must receive prior approval to do so by completing an In Absentia Status Request form.

Terms and conditions for readmission will vary according to whether or not students have completed the In Absentia Status Request form. For requirements regarding readmission to the University after a stop out period, refer to the table below. Additional explanation is provided in the stopping out sections following the table.

Note: Students who do not receive prior approval or those who stop out for more time than approved are not guaranteed their original Lindenwood University grant.

 One Semester Leave  One Year or More Leave
With approved In Absentia Status Request Without approved In Absentia Status Request With approved In Absentia Status Request Without approved In Absentia Status Request
Reapplication to University required. Reapplication to University required. Reapplication to University required. Reapplication to University required.
Previous Lindenwood grant reinstated. Previous Lindenwood grant not guaranteed. Previous Lindenwood grant reinstated. Previous Lindenwood grant not guaranteed.
Complete new application at admissions office. Upon acceptance, enroll in courses with advisor. Complete new application at admissions office. Upon acceptance, attend scheduled University enrollment day to enroll in courses. Complete new application at admissions office. Upon acceptance, enroll in courses with advisor. Complete new application at admissions office. Upon acceptance, attend scheduled University enrollment day to enroll in courses.
Student is subject to the academic catalog requirements outlined in the catalog under which student was originally admitted. Student is subject to the academic catalog requirements outlined in the catalog under which student was originally admitted. Student is subject to requirements outlined in the catalog current at time of readmission. Student is subject to requirements outlined in the catalog current at time of readmission.

Stopping Out with Approval of In Absentia Status Request

A student who intends to take leave (or stop out) from the University may request an official leave of absence by completing an In Absentia Status Request form, available either through the Office of Financial Aid or the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Approval of an In Absentia request is contingent on the student’s good academic standing. (Note that any student approved to take a leave of absence during a spring semester must also submit a housing request prior to departure to ensure a housing assignment for the fallowing fall semester.) Students whose requests for a leave of absence are approved must, upon their return to campus, visit the admissions office to complete a new application to the university in order to confirm accurate enrollment and reinstatement of financial aid and to be readmitted to the university as described under the Readmission section of the catalog.

Notes: (1) Lindenwood grants will be reinstated at the time of the student’s return to the university only if an In Absentia request was submitted and approved.

(2) A student whose request is approved and who leaves Lindenwood University for no more than one semester is subject to the degree requirements outlined in the academic catalog under which the student was originally accepted to the university.

Stopping Out without Approval of In Absentia Status Request

A student who leaves the university without completing an In Absentia Status Request is considered to have departed the university. Should such a student decide to return to the University at a later date, the student must submit a new application for admission and be readmitted to the University as described under the Readmission section of this catalog below.

Notes: (1) Reinstatement of any Lindenwood grants that the student was awarded prior to departure from the University is not guaranteed upon the student’s return.

(2) Students who are readmitted to the University after more than one year of absence will be subject to the degree requirements outlined in the academic catalog current at the time of the student’s return to the University.

(3) Upon return, the student’s previously earned credits in the major will be reviewed for approval by the department chair.

(4) Any course or courses that must be repeated will be taken as special topics classes, and credit and GPA for such courses will count toward graduation.