Stopping Out and Readmission

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Academic Procedures

Students who opt to take a leave of absence from university enrollment are said to “stop out.” For requirements regarding readmission to the university after a stop out period, refer to the information below.

Semester Undergraduate Students

Stopping out for one semester

Any semester undergraduate student who has not been enrolled in Lindenwood courses for more than two semesters and who wishes to resume his or her coursework must be readmitted to the university by submitting a new application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students who were suspended at the time of departure from the university must also submit a letter of appeal to the Lindenwood associate provost. Upon review of the new application, the Office of Admissions will update the student’s profile in preparation for the student’s return to Lindenwood. Students will be directed to contact their advisors to enroll in classes once the readmit process has been approved.

Notes: (1) Students who return to the university after only one semester are subject to the degree requirements outlined in the academic catalog under which the student was originally accepted to the university.

(2) Any student who is readmitted to the university after one year of absence or more will be subject to the degree requirements outlined in the academic catalog that is current at the time of the student’s return to the university.

(3) Upon return of any student after an absence of five or more years, a review of the student’s previously earned credits in the major will be reviewed for approval by the division chair or dean.

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

Readmission and Institutional Aid

Undergraduate semester students who stop out for two or fewer semesters are eligible for the same merit and need-based grant they received prior to taking leave pending review of FAFSA results for the current year. All other institutional aid will be reassessed at time of reentry.

Students who stop out for more than two semesters will be assessed for merit and need-based aid using their cumulative college GPA and FAFSA results for the current year upon return to Lindenwood. If there are extenuating circumstances that warrant additional assessment, an appeal can be made to the Office of Day Admissions.

All Quarter Students (Graduate or Undergraduate)

Stopping Out for One to Three Successive Quarters

A quarter student may take a leave of absence (or stop out) from a quarter program for up to three successive quarters. During such a leave, the student is not enrolled in courses at Lindenwood; however, the student remains in contact with a Lindenwood faculty advisor. A student who stops out for up to three successive quarters will not be required to complete the readmission process (described below) and may contact his or her academic advisor directly to re-enroll in courses.

Note: (1) Quarter students who re-enroll in courses after three or fewer successive terms of absence will be subject to the degree requirements outlined in the catalog that was current at the time of the student’s original admission to the university.

(2) Lindenwood grants will be reinstated at the time of the student’s return to the university only if the student’s leave does not exceed three successive quarters.

(3) Quarter students who stop out for four or more successive quarters must be readmitted to the university as described below.\

Stopping Out for Four or More Successive Quarters

A quarter student who stops out for one year (four successive quarters) or more must reapply and be readmitted to the university in order to continue a degree program. Such students must submit an application for admission to the Office of Evening and Graduate Admissions. Students who were suspended at the time of departure from the university must also submit a letter of appeal to the Lindenwood associate provost.

After review of the application (and a successful appeal of suspension, if necessary) the admissions office will update the student’s profile in preparation for his or her return to the university. The student will then be directed to an academic advisor to enroll in course.

Note: (1) Students who stop out for four or more successive quarters will be subject to the degree requirements outlined in the academic catalog current at the time of the student’s readmission to the university.

(2) Upon the return of any student after an absence of five or more years, a review of the student’s previously earned credits toward the degree will be reviewed for approval by the program director.

Semester Graduate Students

Any semester graduate student who has not been enrolled at Lindenwood University for two years (four successive semesters, not including summers) or more and who wishes to resume his or her coursework must be readmitted to the university. The student must complete a new application for admission and submit it to the Office of Evening and Graduate Admissions. Students who were suspended at the time of departure from the university must also submit a letter of appeal to the Lindenwood associate provost.

Note: Readmitted students will be subject to the degree requirements outlined in the academic catalog that is current at the time of readmission.