Students who need to take time away from their studies, whether temporarily (up to one year) or permanently, must notify the Office of the Registrar by submitting a Withdrawal or Leave of Absence form. This is the only officially recognized method of notification. The registrar may recommend or require consultation with other administrative offices as deemed appropriate (e.g. financial aid and residence life). The date that the Office of the Registrar is informed determines the start date of the leave or withdrawal and the last date of attendance/participation determines the return of Federal Aid. Students should contact the Office the Registrar to request a Withdrawal or Leave of Absence form. 

Withdrawal from all Courses

For students leaving before the end of a semester or term, all enrolled courses will be dropped or withdrawn according to the deadlines for dropping for that term.

Leave of Absence

Students may seek a Leave of Absence (LOA) at any time for personal reasons, including family needs, health challenges, financial difficulties, or other reasons.

Medical Leave of Absence

Students seeking a leave of absence for treatment of a medical or mental health condition that is significantly impacting their ability to fulfill their responsibilities as a university student may request a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA). This allows students to maintain eligibility for the university health insurance plan. In addition to the standard Leave of Absence form, an MLOA will require a letter of support from a licensed medical or mental health care provider, and upon return from the leave, a return to campus questionnaire completed by the outside medical or mental health care provider treating the condition.

The Dean of Students (or designee) must approve all MLOAs for McMinnville students. The Student Health, Wellness and Counseling Center will collect appropriate documentation regarding the medical status of the student requesting the MLOA, as well as the return to campus questionnaire upon return.

Students on the Portland campus may begin the MLOA process by contacting Learning Support Services on the Portland campus. Learning Support Services will also facilitate the student's return to campus.

Military Leave of Absence Short Term

Students currently serving in the US Armed Forces (particularly those in the Reserve or National Guard) may be called to active duty or be required to fulfill reserve military obligations. Failure to obey a lawful order can result in dishonorable discharge, up to two years in jail, total forfeiture of pay, etc. (Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 92). Students are guaranteed at least one day of military obligation support, with additional supports potentially granted at faculty discretion. Students in specialized programs will still be required to complete state training requirements. Student absences required for military obligation will not reduce the number of excused absences, if applicable, provided for the course.

Short-Term Military Obligation Leave Process:

Step 1: Contact the Linfield Veteran Affairs office to notify them of your orders.
Step 2: Complete the intake process for supports.
Step 3: Utilize the email template provided in your intake meeting to connect with your faculty to notify them of your orders and CC the Linfield Veteran Affairs office.
Step 4: Notify the Linfield Veteran Affairs office and your faculty immediately if there are any changes to your orders.
The student will be responsible for communicating with their faculty to determine and agree on how to make up missed work within a reasonable amount of time. If military obligations coincide with state-required training, it is the student's responsibility to contact the third-party organizer for clinical hours or student teaching hours. Linfield University cannot provide support for clinical or student teaching hours. The instructor will provide the service member with reasonable alternative arrangements and due dates to complete coursework missed due to mandatory military service. Students must be given the opportunity to make up missed work for full credit. Examples of alternative arrangements may include:

• Rescheduling exams and quizzes
• Creating alternative assignments
• Establishing alternative dates, times, or modalities for presentations
• Offering independent study options to complete course requirements

Supports for military obligation cannot require a fundamental change to the course. Students who require extended support, military obligation that is 30 days or longer, due to the length of military obligation may choose from the following options:

• Request an incomplete grade from their faculty and complete the course once release from their military obligation*
• Take a leave of absence
• Withdraw from the institution

*It is up to faculty discretion whether or not an incomplete grade is appropriate for a given course and/or situation. In accordance with federal law, including 20 U.S.C. § 1091c, and federal regulations, 34 C.F.R. § 668.18, as well as the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Linfield University will promptly readmit service members who seek readmission to a program interrupted by a uniformed service obligation.

Military Readmission

Linfield University acknowledges that students may be temporarily unable to attend classes or may be required to suspend their studies to perform military service. Linfield encourages such students to resume their education once their military service obligation has ended and adopts this policy to ensure their timely readmission.

In accordance with federal law, including 20 U.S.C. § 1091c, and federal regulations, 34 C.F.R. § 668.18, as well as the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Linfield University will promptly readmit service members who seek readmission to a program interrupted by a uniformed service obligation.
Linfield University may deny readmission only in limited circumstances, consistent with federal regulations, such as when a student is unable to return to or complete their program despite reasonable efforts by the university.

In accordance with federal regulations, returning students who receive a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge, general court-martial, or certain criminal sentences from the Armed Forces (including the National Guard and Reserves) are not eligible for readmission under this policy.
Students are encouraged to contact the Linfield Veteran Affairs office for more information.

Student Exit Loan Counseling

Any student who has had a Nursing Student Loan, or Stafford Loan and who is leaving Linfield University and not planning to return for the immediately following semester must complete student loan exit counseling prior to leaving Linfield University.