Leave of Absence/Continuous Enrollment

Continuous enrollment requires that every graduate student maintain at least six credits toward his or her degree program every calendar year (a minimum of three credits in the fall and spring terms respectively) from the time of acceptance by the School of Graduate Studies until completion of all requirements for the graduate degree. Students enrolled for thesis may take fewer than six credits per calendar year but must pay the continuous enrollment fee. Graduate students who have completed all course requirements must remain continuing students until all degree requirements have been met. Students must register for a course each semester or pay the $40.00 fee to maintain continuous enrollment. Payment of the $40.00 fee each semester for this status permits use of the library and computer facilities and access to faculty advisers. Students who fail to maintain continuous enrollment status will be charged $40.00 for each semester not registered.

Graduate students who are not enrolled in courses by the end of the first week of classes will be billed the continuous enrollment fee. Students who pay the continuous enrollment fee but are not enrolled in a course(s) are not eligible for financial aid. In extenuating circumstances, a student may petition for exception to the continuous enrollment policy. The petition must be made in writing by the student to the Dean of Graduate Studies. If the petition is approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies, a letter to that effect will be
sent to the student with a copy to the adviser, and the approved petition will be placed in the student's permanent file. 

NOTE: The period of exception is counted as a part of the six-year period allowed for completion of degree requirements.

Students who are admitted to the School of Graduate Studies and who do not register for courses within one year of acceptance are automatically withdrawn from the University. Any student who fails to pay the continuous enrollment fee for two consecutive semesters will lose matriculation status.