Taking Time Off from CC
A student may decide to take time away from their studies at Colorado College for many different reasons. These might include pursuing a personal, professional or volunteer opportunity, recovering from a health concern, or assisting in a family matter at home that requires the student’s attention. In any of these cases, students must be in close communication with the Advising Hub so that the College is aware of the student’s intent, and so that Hub advisors can ensure that students understand the policies and impacts of taking time away from CC. Click here for more information about possible implications of taking a block off or leave of absence from the college.
There are three types of leave that occur at Colorado College:
TAKING A SINGLE BLOCK OFF
All students at CC are allowed to take one block off per semester and maintain full-time student status. However, there could be potential implications to your academic progress, student employment, athletic participation, or VA benefit status; click here for more information about possible implications for taking a block off.
Taking a block off is not automatic. To initiate this process, students should:
- Open the "Add/Drop" application in Banner, and select "Search Class Schedule".
- Select the Term and Block you're planning to take a block off, enter "00000" in for Course ID, and select "Class Search".
- Select "taking a block off" and register for the block off "course". This will replace the course you were registered for.
When taking a single block off, please be aware of the following:
- Blocks off are only approved if the block off is registered in Banner on or before 5PM (MT) of the second Tuesday of the block requested. Requests made after this time are automatically denied.
- Students enrolled in three or more blocks per semester are full-time students and must still pay a full semester of tuition, room and board, and fees. There is no refund for taking a block off.
TAKING ADDITIONAL BLOCKS OFF
All Colorado College may request to take additional blocks off beyond a first, single block off within a single semester.
Students who take more than one block off in a single semester are considered part-time students, which may have significant negative impacts (see Colorado College Blocks Off & LOA Policies & Procedures). As such, requests for additional blocks off are only granted in unusual circumstances and students are highly encouraged to consult with the Advising Hub before making the request. To be approved for additional blocks off, students will also need to demonstrate how they will maintain engagement in campus life during their additional blocks off to be approved.
Additional blocks off will not be granted retroactively. Students requesting to take a block off currently in progress must continue to attend the block in progress until their request is approved or denied.
To initiate this process, students should:
- Review the Colorado College Blocks Off & LOA Policies & Procedures
- Students receiving financial aid are strongly encouraged to connect with the Financial Aid office.
- International students are strongly encouraged to connect with International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS).
- Complete the Additional Blocks Off Request form.
- The student will be notified of approval or denial by their Hub advisor within two business days. Students requesting to take an additional block off currently in progress must continue to attend the block in progress until their request is approved or denied.
TAKING A LEAVE OF ABSENCE
A Leave of Absence (LOA), also known as "Withdrawal with Intent to Return," refers to a temporary interruption in a student's program of study. During a Leave of Absence, a student is not registered for courses, may not be employed at CC, or live on campus. Students who are participating in an “Off Campus Program Leave” (studying abroad via a non-Colorado College institution) do not need to complete a Student-Initiated LOA.
Students wishing to take a LOA must be granted permission from their Hub advisor. To initiate this process, students should:
- Review the Colorado College Blocks Off & LOA Policies & Procedures
- Students receiving financial aid are strongly encouraged to connect with the Financial Aid office.
- International students are strongly encouraged to connect with International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS).
- Complete the Leave of Absence Request form
- The student will then be contacted by their Hub advisor within two business days to schedule an exit interview with the student.
- If you need more immediate help, please also email your Hub advisor.
- After meeting with the student, the Hub advisor will approve or deny the student's leave request.