Leaves of Absence
Leaves of Absence
Leaves of Absence
IMPORTANT REMINDER! Please renew your FAFSA for the upcoming school year while on your LOA. Failure to meet the April 15th deadline will make New Jersey residents ineligible for consideration for State aid such as the Tuition Aid Grant, New Jersey Stars II, and Garden State Guarantee programs.
If you are planning to take a leave of absence (LOA) from Rowan University, you may be like most students and wondering how an LOA impacts your financial aid.
Please keep in mind, this information is only relevant if you are taking an LOA:
- before the start of a new school year
- before the start of a new semester, or
- before the end of the add/drop period for the current term.
If you decide to take an LOA after the add/drop period and are currently enrolled, this is considered a withdrawal from Rowan University.
Aid that you had previously accepted, not disbursed.
Enrollment is required for our office to process and disburse financial aid. If you accept aid but later take a leave of absence, no aid can be disbursed once your LOA is processed and your enrollment is removed for that term. Any aid you accept will not be disbursed once we are notified of your LOA.
Impacts on Financial Aid
Federal Student Loans
Aid will not disburse until you re-enroll. A new FAFSA may be required if you return in a new academic year. Loans previously borrowed will enter their grace period and/or repayment. Work with your loan servicer directly for any concerns about payments.
Private Education Loans
Each lender has its own terms and conditions when you temporarily cease enrollment. Please contact your lender to see if you need to reapply. You will also want to work with them to see when you will be required to begin making payments.
Federal/State Grants
Federal and State Grants (Pell, TAG, SEOG, etc) will not disburse and your eligibility will be determined upon your return as long as you have not exhausted your lifetime eligibility. A New FAFSA may be required if you return in a new academic year
NJ STARS II Scholarship
NJ Stars II requires continuous enrollment and will not be reinstated to you if you take an LOA.
Rowan Institutional Scholarships
Institutional scholarships such as Rowan Scholars, Transfer Trustee, Brown & Gold, etc. will be available to you upon your return as long as:
- You are meeting the academic requirements,
- Have not received the maximum number of payments,
- Did not attend another four-year institution during your LOA
Rowan Foundation Scholarships
Please contact Contact Donna Donnelly (donnelly@rowan.edu) prior to taking your LOA to confirm if your scholarship will be available to you upon your return. Each scholarship has its own requirements which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Rowan Departmental Scholarships
Departmental scholarships are awarded by specific departments in the University. For example, the Performing Arts Department selects recipients for the Performing Arts Scholarship. If you receive a departmental scholarship, please reach out to your department directly for information and instructions.
