Frequently Asked Questions

Students are encouraged to use Health Leave time to engage in treatment and other forms of support to address their health concerns. Many students engage in intensive forms of medical or mental health treatment that would not be possible to do while engaging in classwork. In addition to treatment, many students will engage in other activities that increase their sense of well-being and self-knowledge, such as: exercise, yoga, artistic pursuits, and activities with support network.

Students seeking a Health Leave of Absence will be referred to the Campus Support and Intervention office (213-740-0411, TCC 421) and will be assigned to a Health Leave Coordinator (HLC.)  The Coordinator will meet with the student to determine reasons for the leave.  The student will complete the Voluntary Health Leave of Absence form and will be required to submit a Provider Recommendation form completed by their health care provider. 

If the student is unable to meet with the Health Leave Coordinator or complete the form due to an emergency situation such as hospitalization or inability to function independently, please contact the Health Leave Team to explore options.

Students will be provided a checklist to help them navigate key university processes. The student is responsible for contacting any office or resources that may be relevant. This may include processes through OIS, Housing, Financial Aid, Academic Review and Retention, the Registrar, the Student Health Insurance Office, relevant scholarship offices, USCard, USC Transportation, and others. 

If a student withdraws during the add/drop period, there will not be any notation on the transcript and they will receive a full tuition refund. If a student withdraws between the third and seventh week of the semester, the student will not have any marks of “W” on their transcript but can only pursue a tuition refund through Tuition Refund Insurance. If a student withdraws between the seventh and twelfth weeks, a mark of “W” will appear on their official transcript. In all cases, a mark of “W” does not affect a student’s GPA, so a health leave will not affect the student’s grade point average. While a student may have a mark of “W” on their transcript, a Health Leave is not denoted on an official transcript.

On average, a Health Leave lasts one to two semesters. But, the goal is that they are long enough for the recommended treatment or care to take place. A Health Leave resolves or ends when a student is able to demonstrate that they are capable of meeting the rigors of their academic program.

Students are welcome to engage in forms of employment as needed or that would support their health recovery. USC Leave policy indicates that “It is expected that students will not enroll in courses elsewhere during a leave of absence. However, students who wish to enroll in courses outside USC during a leave of absence may consult with an academic advisor to determine if they are eligible for an Exception to Residence.” 

Each student’s financial aid package is unique. It is recommended that each student speaks to Financial Aid directly as a part of exploring a Health Leave.

Students may be eligible for one semester of Leave of Absence Health Insurance and will need to contact the Student Health Insurance Office to learn if they might be eligible.

Students are automatically enrolled for Tuition Refund Insurance (TRI) each semester, but can elect to opt out of it. To confirm if you haveTRI, you can contact the Registrar’s Office. If you do have TRI and have withdrawn from all of your courses for a health reason, you may be eligible for a tuition refund. This is a separate process from the Health Leave. Follow the steps for filing Tuition Refund Insurance.  

Students do not need to be on a Health Leave to drop classes and do not need approval from the Health Leave Team to drop classes. It is generally recommended that students check in with the Office of International Services (if applicable), their academic advisor, their Academic Review counselor (if applicable), Financial Aid, support systems, and explore alternatives such as reducing course load prior to making the decision to drop all courses. Students who drop after the seventh week of a semester will receive marks of ‘W’ on their transcript – these marks have no impact on GPA. Students need to drop classes prior to the last day to withdraw for a semester. For information on important deadlines, please check the Schedule of Classes. 

Students may apply for a health leave up to the last day of classes, as specified in the Schedule of Classes. Health leaves cannot be granted retroactively after a semester has been completed. 

Yes, international students are eligible to request a Health Leave. International students must meet with an advisor in the Office of International Services (OIS) before finalizing plans for their leave. Students can either return to their home country or remain in the U.S. to receive medical treatment if recommended by a doctor.  The student may request the health leave through a HLC, who would collaborate with the student, their healthcare provider, and OIS to determine the necessary steps for approval of the leave request. 

Due to the unique nature of each PhD program at the university, PhD students interested in a health leave will need to meet with a health leave coordinator to develop an individualized health plan and an individualized academic plan designed to address the specifics of their situation and academic program. These plans are developed through an interactive process involving the Health Leave Coordinator, the student, the academic unit, and the Graduate School. Health leaves are more difficult to implement at the advanced stages of PhD studies. Students are encouraged to address their health concerns as early as possible. 

Students who withdraw from all courses will be directed to choose a type of leave.  If the student chooses a Health Leave, they will be directed to Campus Support and Intervention (CSI) to engage in the health leave process. 

Unlike other types of leave, a Health Leave involves assistance, incentives, and a process through the Health Leave Team. A Health Leave Coordinator (HLC) offers emotional and logistical support throughout the process. A HLC will often serve as an advocate for the student to ensure that they are given an optimal opportunity for recovery and a successful return.

When a student in their first semester at USC needs to take time away for health reasons, it is considered a deferral rather than a leave of absence. While the deferral form and process are slightly different, a student requesting a Health Deferral will still be referred to the Health Leave Team to engage in the Health Leave process. They will also be expected to engage in the readiness to return process when they wish to return to USC. 

The Health Leave Team will consult with the academic unit and other relevant campus partners who may be involved in the student’s request (i.e. Financial Aid, Residential Education, Housing, the Office of Community Expectations, etc.) to determine recommendations for the student’s departure from and return to the University. The Health Leave Team and other University personnel will exercise discretion in only sharing the minimum details about the student’s medical condition as necessary to facilitate the student’s Health Leave or to protect the University community’s health, safety, and educational interests. In some situations, the student may be asked to sign a release to permit their Health Leave Coordinator to communicate with the student’s healthcare providers during the student’s HL or to facilitate internal discussions regarding the implementation of the student’s HL.

A Health Leave cannot be granted retroactively.

The student and their Health Leave Coordinator (HLC) will create an individualized Health Leave plan to be completed by the student while on leave. The Health Leave plan may reference medical treatment recommended by the student’s health care provider and other requirements to return to the university. Completion of this plan is a factor the University considers when students seek to return to the university after their leave. Upon approval of their Health Leave, students are provided with all the information necessary to request to return from their Health Leave. 

Depending on the student’s individual circumstances, the student and their HLC may work together to develop a Supportive Return Plan. The HLC will exercise discretion in disclosing only the minimum information necessary and typically will not need to disclose details about the student’s condition. 

Readiness to Return documentation submitted after the deadline may be reviewed on a case by case basis at the discretion of HLC.  To return from leave, the student must submit a Readiness to Return form completed by their treating provider to their health leave coordinator. The student may be asked to undergo an evaluation by a healthcare provider designated by the university at the university’s expense. In addition, the student must write a personal statement documenting why they wish to return and for what semester. The personal statement should describe what the student did while on leave; what the student perceives were the reasons for the leave; and what changes, if any, the student plans to implement that will allow the student to safely and effectively meet the requirements of his/her program. 

Based on an individualized assessment of the student’s situation, the HLC will determine whether the student is ready to return. This may be done in consultation with the Health Leave Committee, a group comprised of representatives from departments such as Campus Wellness & Crisis Intervention, CMH, Disability Services, OCE, and others as appropriate. 

The student may be asked to sign an Authorization for Disclosure of Information form as part of the University’s process of obtaining adequate information to facilitate the student’s return. Depending on the student’s individual circumstances, the student and the HLC may work together to develop a supportive return plan. The HLC will exercise discretion in disclosing only the minimum information necessary and typically will not need to disclose details about the student’s condition. 

Once the return from the VHLA is approved, the HLC would lift the hold and inform relevant campus partners (i.e. academic unit, program, the Graduate School) that the student is returning.  Students returning from leave may need to work with several campus departments, including Housing, Financial Aid, Disability Services and Programs, the Registrar, etc. To help coordinate among these units in facilitating the return, returning students are encouraged to contact the USC Support and Advocacy Team.

If the student’s request to return from Health Leave is denied, the student may appeal the decision to the Vice Provost of Campus Wellness & Crisis Intervention. The appeal must be submitted in writing within 10 business days of the decision. The appeal will be reviewed by the Health Leave of Absence Appeals Committee (HLAAC), which will make a recommendation to the Vice Provost for Campus Wellness & Crisis Intervention, with the Vice Provost affording significant weight to the committee’s recommendation. The Vice Provost for Campus Wellness & Crisis Intervention will respond to the student’s appeal within three business days of the HLAAC’s recommendation. This decision constitutes the final decision of the University. 

A student involved in a potential disciplinary process or in poor academic standing may still request a Health Leave. An individualized determination will be made by the University in consultation with the student about whether the discipline or academic process should proceed or wait for the student’s return.