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Request a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA)

Students in the Feinberg School of Medicine, the Kellogg School of Management, the School of Professional Studies, and the Pritzker School of Law do not follow the links below. You must contact your academic dean's office regarding the medical leave of absence and reinstatement processes for your program.

Students in the Counseling@Northwestern (online Counseling) master’s program, do not follow the links below. Please email Stephannee Standefer.

Undergrad \ Grad-Non TGS \ The Graduate School

Step 1 - Apply for MLOA

To request a medical leave of absence, please go to:
https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?NorthwesternUniv&layout_id=100

Step 2 - Provide Information to Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service

Health Service  

Students should submit the following information for mental health related MLOA requests: 

  1. Have your mental health provider complete the provider recommendation form for your MLOA request. 
  1. Completed release of information form to allow for communication from Northwestern Medicine Student Health Services to Northwestern University Dean of Students. This form can be submitted online through your MyNM patient portal. 

Students should submit the following information for physical health related MLOA requests:  

  1. Letter of support for leave from their managing physician (even if it is a Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service physician). The letter or additional documents should include: 
  • Diagnosis and relevant medical history 
  • Current treatment 
  • Treatment plan for medical leave of absence period 
  • Expected outcome of treatment during the medical leave of absence 
  • Test results supporting the diagnosis 
  1. Completed release of information form to allow for communication from Northwestern Medicine Student Health Services to Northwestern University Dean of Students. This form can be submitted online through your MyNM patient portal.  

Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service will need all documents before a final determination for medical leave is granted. Recommendations are unable to be processed until all documentation is received. This can be a time sensitive request, so please allow enough time to gather all necessary documents. 

Searle Hall  
633 Emerson Street 
Phone: 847-491-8100 
Health Service website 

Step 3 - Contact Dean of Students Office

Approximately 3-5 business days following the completion of Step 2, the student should hear from a Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) staff member regarding an appointment.  If not, the student should contact the Dean of Students office for a medical leave of absence appointment with a member of the Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) program.

Appointments cannot be scheduled until recommendations have been received.