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Guidance (Student Status) – Graduate On-Leave Status

Graduate students must maintain active status throughout their graduate program. If you need to take one or more quarters off without registering, you may request on-leave status for each quarter. This prevents loss of graduate status and avoids the reinstatement process. See Graduate School Policy 3.5 for full details.

LOG IN TO MYGRAD TO REQUEST ON-LEAVE STATUS

Who Can Request On-Leave Status

You may request on-leave status if all of the following apply:

  • You were registered or on leave the previous quarter
  • You have completed at least one quarter of graduate study at UW
  • Your graduate program approves the leave request
  • You are not currently registered, graduated, inactive, non-matriculated, or in a visiting student status
  • International students (F-1/J-1) must confirm eligibility with International Student Services

Additional notes:

  • Leave request are required for Autumn, Winter, and Spring.
  • Summer leave is automatic for students enrolled or on-leave the previous Spring quarter.
  • Students in two graduate programs must have both programs approve the request; only one request and one fee is required.
  • Students may drop all courses before the first day of the quarter to become eligible for leave.
  • Students with financial aid, loans, or GAIP insurance should consult the Office of Financial Aid or UW Benefits Office to avoid loss of coverage.

What On-Leave Status Provides

Status You Keep You Lose
On-Leave UW email, library access, very limited faculty and staff counsel/resources, Hall Health Primary Care Center (pay-for-service basis), IMA (UW Seattle campus students only, extra fee) Most faculty advising/resources, exam privileges, thesis/dissertation filing, university housing, student insurance, financial assistance

How to Request On-Leave Status

  1. Log in to MyGrad and click “Request Leave”.
  2. Review leave requirements before starting the request.
  3. Submit your request in MyGrad (opens two weeks before the quarter starts).
  4. Obtain departmental approval (both programs if enrolled in two).
    • If your department approves, you will receive an email notification from the Graduate School with instructions and the deadline.
    • If your department does not approve, contact your graduate program advisor for next steps.
  5. Pay the $25 non-refundable fee via MyGrad by the deadline.
    • Military personnel with deployment orders must still log in and click “Pay” after approval but you will not be charged.
  6. Receive email confirmation for your records.

Multi-Quarter Requests:

  • Peace Corps, military deployment, UW Fulbright, or Bonderman fellows may request up to three consecutive quarters.
  • Fees: $25 per quarter (e.g., $50 for two, $75 for three)
  • Summer quarter: no fee required.
  • Military with deployment papers: no fee required.

Deadlines & Reminders

  • Request opens: Two weeks before the first day of instruction each quarter
  • Student request deadline: 5:00 p.m. PST, last day of instruction (one week before quarter end)
  • Department approval deadline: 5:00 p.m. PST, last day of the quarter
  • Payment deadline: 5:00 p.m. PST, last day of the quarter
  • Loan deferment: Complete the request and pay by the 2nd Friday of the quarter to stay eligible for loan deferment reporting.
  • Incomplete Requests: Requests not paid or approved by the deadline will be withdrawn automatically. You must request reinstatement to return.

Reinstatement

If you did not maintain graduate status (no registration or complete the on-leave status process in full with approval):

  1. Request reinstatement through your department
  2. After department approval, pay the reinstatement fee to the Graduate School

Contact & Support

For questions about:

  • Eligibility, requirements, or department approval → Contact your Graduate Program Advisor (GPA/GPC) first. 
  • International student status (F-1/J-1) → Contact International Student Services (ISS) at iss.washington.edu or 206-221-7857.
  • Financial aid or loan deferment → Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at finaid.uw.edu or 206-543-6101. 
  • Technical issues with MyGrad or leave payment problems → Email uwgrad@uw.edu or call 206-685-2630. 
  • Reinstatement after missing deadlines → Contact your graduate program first, then the Graduate School if needed. 

Revised October, 2025