{"id":3427,"date":"2026-02-10T13:18:04","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T19:18:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/policy\/?post_type=library&p=3427"},"modified":"2026-02-19T10:09:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T16:09:05","slug":"appendix-1","status":"publish","type":"library","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/policy\/library\/academic-leave-of-absence-ala-accommodation-for-graduate-students\/appendix-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Appendix 1 – Other Considerations for Students Requesting Academic Leave of Absence (ALA)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The following addresses frequently encountered issues for students requesting an ALA. This guide will be maintained and updated by the Graduate School to help students considering an ALA make informed decisions. This Appendix is a sample of a guide that will change over time, and not part of the policy itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical Documentation <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Please do not submit detailed medical records with your request for an ALA for medical reasons. A brief letter from a doctor affirming that a leave is justified and endorsing the requested period will usually suffice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

51ÁÔÆæ email and network access <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Students on an ALA retain email and network access for two semesters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial Aid <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Students considering an ALA should contact 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s Financial Aid office to consider the possible implications. For instance, students who have an outstanding loan balance and take an ALA may no longer be able to defer monthly payments. Students who take an ALA in the middle of a semester may need to pay back some of the Financial Aid they received for that semester. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health Insurance <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Graduate students receive health coverage from several different sources, including health insurance benefits from Teaching or Research Assistantships, and access to Norris Health Center available to all students who pay segregated fees. Graduate Assistants who have employee health insurance may be able to retain their coverage for three months by paying out of pocket their portion of the 51ÁÔÆæ subsidized premiums. After three months they may be able to retain their coverage by paying the full premiums out of pocket. Students planning an ALA should consult the 51ÁÔÆæ Benefits Office in advance.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Segregated Fees <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While on an ALA students will be exempt from paying segregated fees, and denied access to services and facilities supported by those fees, including recreational facilities, child care services, and Norris Health Center. Students must be enrolled in order to pay segregated fees and make use of the services supported by those fees.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

University Housing <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Students living in university housing who intend to request an ALA should contact the 51ÁÔÆæ University Housing Office to determine eligibility for residence during the leave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fellowships <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Students on Advance Opportunity Program fellowships normally can defer the stipend and tuition remission provided by the award until they return from their leave of absence. Recipients of the general Graduate School Fellowships cannot defer their awards. All fellowship recipients who begin an ALA in the middle of the semester can draw the remainder of the stipend and benefits for that semester only. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Libraries <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Remote and online library access is controlled by the campus identity management system. Students who are not enrolled in classes typically lose ePanther access, including access to library services. Academic programs can sponsor an ePanther account for students who are on ALA: https:\/\/www-ssl.uwm.edu\/uits\/ePanther\/sg\/. Students who are not enrolled while on ALA will also lose regular access to the library\u2019s circulating collection and Interlibrary Loan service. While on ALA they can access the circulating collection and ILL for a small fee by joining the library\u2019s Community Borrowing Program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Assistantships <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leaves of absence from employment for Teaching or Research Assistants fall under different policies than leaves of absence from enrollment as a graduate student. A student may remain enrolled in courses but arrange a leave of absence from teaching. However, a student may not take an ALA and remain employed as a Teaching or Research Assistant. We encourage programs that have renewable Teaching or Research Assistantships to extend the remainder of the support for their students on approved ALA. However, we recognize that employment depends on the availability of positions, and that this might not always be possible. For instance, Research Assistants who take an ALA might return after the grant that funded their employment has expired. We encourage programs to try to arrange other employment, while recognizing the challenges involved. For leaves of absence from Teaching or Research Assistantships, please contact the Human Resources administrator in your school or college. Individual programs and individual schools or colleges may have their own policies governing leaves of absence from employment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

International Students <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leaves of absence involve special complexities for international students. All international students must consult CIE before requesting an ALA, as described above, and should consult with CIE about re-entry well in advance of returning. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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