Academic Leave of Absence (off-campus study )
Students participating in off-campus study options not conducted by Oberlin College itself are classified as being on an academic leave of absence. There are specific limits on credit transfer from off-campus study programs. For the College of Arts and Sciences they are (a) 16 hours per single semester, or (b) 10 hours per quarter or trimester, or (c) 32 hours per academic year or (d) 20 hours per academic year at a quarter- or trimester-based school. For Conservatory of Music and Double-Degree limits, please consult the Conservatory or Double-Degree section of the Course Catalog.
Q: How does a student apply for an academic leave of absence?
A: Interested students apply by submitting an academic leave of absence application form to the Office of the Dean of Studies, Peters 205. Leaves are processed by the Associate Dean of Studies and granted by the Off-Campus Study Committee prior to a student's departure from Oberlin.
Q: How is an academic leave of absence approved?
A: Academic leaves are approved when students can demonstrate the value of such leaves for their Oberlin education and meet the following criteria: (1) A student must have completed at least two semesters at Oberlin. (2) A student must have declared a major. (3) A maximum of 36 hours of credit transferred toward the graduation requirement will be permitted after a student has enrolled at Oberlin. In addition, an Arts and Sciences student may transfer no more than 56 hours (62 hours for Conservatory majors and Double-Degree students) in total towards the Oberlin degree. (4) A student must carry a minimum of 12 semester hours when on an academic leave of absence. In addition, a student may not be approved for an academic leave of absence if there is an outstanding account balance.
Q: When does my daughter need to apply for an academic leave of absence?
A: For academic leaves for the fall semester or through the full academic year, students must apply prior to the first Wednesday after Spring Break in the preceding year. For leaves starting in the spring semester, students must apply prior to the first Wednesday after Fall Break.
Q: Can my son extend his academic leave of absence?
A: It is possible to extend an academic leave if the student hasn't gone over the limit for transfer of credit (i.e. if he/she hasn't transferred more than 36 credit hours after matriculation at Oberlin). The Off-Campus Study Committee considers similar requests on a case-by-case basis. Requests for extensions of academic leaves, including a new application form, must also be received by the deadlines specified above.
Q: Is financial aid applicable when a student goes on an academic leave of absence?
A: Oberlin financial aid is only applicable to Oberlin-affiliated programs. Federal financial aid is usually applicable to most study-away programs.
Q: Is health insurance applicable when a student goes on an academic leave abroad?
A: In most cases health insurance is applicable, but might offer limited health care coverage. Please consult your individual health insurance policy for details.