Medical Leave of Absence and Reinstatement
When students experience a mental health condition that interferes significantly with their ability to function safely and successfully at NU, they may request a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA). A Medical Leave of Absence allows students time away from the university for treatment and recovery, with the goal of restoring health and functioning.
The sections below contain information for students considering an MLOA, students seeking reinstatement from an MLOA, and treatment providers of students currently on an MLOA.
Please see below for instructions for both Evanston and Chicago-based academic programs.
Considering and Requesting an MLOA
If considering an MLOA, students should consult directly with the appropriate office in their academic program (see below for more information pertaining to your respective program). CAPS also recommends that students and their families check their student’s insurance carrier to ensure health insurance coverage continues while on leave. If you are in treatment, CAPS recommends you discuss requesting an MLOA with your provider.
Please check below to see how to start the MLOA process based on your academic program.
If you are a student at Pritzker School of Law
If you are a student at Feinberg School of Medicine (E.g. MD, PA, DPT, etc.)
If you are a student at Feinberg School of Medicine (e.g. MD, PA, DPT, etc.), please contact your program for information about MLOA/Reinstatement requests, procedures, and deadlines. CAPS does not process MLOAs/Reinstatements for students who are in these programs.
For all other students
If you are not a student at one of the above schools, more information on MLOA/Reinstatement procedures, including how to request an MLOA and deadlines for your request, can be found on the Student Affairs and Support Services webpage.
Step 1: MLOA Application
Please visit SASS’s website to submit your Medical Leave of Absence application. This must be done before you make contact with CAPS.
Please note students’ applications will only be processed during the quarter for which the student is requesting a Medical Leave of Absence.
Step 2: Healthcare Provider Report
Your next steps depend on if you do or do not have a current mental healthcare provider, such as a therapist or psychiatrist.
If You Do Have a Current Mental Healthcare Provider
Students who do have a current mental healthcare provider must have their provider complete the healthcare provider report, which can be found here.
Students only need to submit one healthcare provider report for their MLOA application, even if they see more than one mental healthcare provider.
To facilitate the MLOA process, CAPS will need to communicate with your mental healthcare provider and the Dean of Students office, which requires your written permission for us to do so. By completing two Releases of Information, which can be found here, you are authorizing CAPS to receive information from your provider about your medical leave and share that information with the Dean of Students. Please complete two releases of information, one to your current mental healthcare provider, and the other to the Northwestern University Dean of Students Office.
If you have questions, please contact the CAPS front desk at 847-491-2151.
If You Do Not Have a Current Mental Healthcare Provider
Students who do not have a current mental healthcare provider must have an MLOA evaluation done through CAPS. To do so, please drop in during our Same Day Access hours when you are available for at least 1.5 hours. You will complete the required paperwork and meet with a CAPS clinician, who will then complete your healthcare provider report within a few days of your evaluation.
To facilitate the MLOA process, CAPS will need to communicate with the Dean of Students office, which requires you to offer written permission for us to do so. By completing a Release of Information, which can be found here, you are authorizing CAPS to share information with the Dean of Students about your Medical Leave of Absence application. Please make out a release of information to the Northwestern University Dean of Students Office.
If you have questions, please contact the CAPS front desk at 847-491-2151.
Resources for a Student’s Medical Leave of Absence Application
The links below contain the documentation necessary for an MLOA application. Students must submit the following four forms;
Students who wish to complete their Release(s) of Information in physical or PDF format can find the PDF here: Blank Release of Information (PDF).
Reinstatement from MLOA
If CAPS was involved in your MLOA procedure, there are a few steps to complete for students seeking reinstatement. Please check below to see how to start the MLOA Reinstatement process based on your academic program.
If you are a student at Pritzker School of Law
If you are a student at Pritzker School of Law and currently on an MLOA, more information on MLOA/Reinstatement procedures, including how to request your reinstatement and deadlines for your request, can be found on the Law School's Leaves of Absence webpage.
For all other students
More information on MLOA Reinstatements, including how to apply for reinstatement and deadlines for your request, is available on SASS’ Reinstatement Request Process page.
Resources for a Student's MLOA Reinstatement
The links below contain the documentation necessary for an MLOA reinstatement application. Students must submit the following four forms;
- MLOA Reinstatement Application - the initial application for students seeking to begin a Medical Leave of Absence.
- CAPS Authorization for Release of Information (ROI) - to facilitate the reinstatement process, CAPS will need to communicate with your current mental healthcare provider about your treatment, and we require your written permission to do so. Please complete this release of information and make it out to your current mental healthcare provider.
- CAPS Authorization for Release of Information (ROI) with the Dean of Students Office - to facilitate the reinstatement process, CAPS will need to communicate with the Dean of Students Office about your application, and we require your written permission to do so. Please complete this release of information and make it out to the Northwestern University Dean of Students Office.