Leaving UC Davis

Graduation

Each candidate for an undergraduate degree must file an Application for Graduation with the Office of the University Registrar for the quarter in which the candidate plans to receive the degree; see http://registrar.ucdavis.edu/graduation. The dates for campus filing are published in the Academic Calendar, and the quarterly Class Schedule and Registration Guide (CSRG).

Students in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences must have their Major Certification form evaluated by the dean’s office before their candidacy for a degree can be finalized; see Bachelor’s Degree Requirements.

Students in the College of Engineering must register at the College of Engineering Web site (http://engineering.ucdavis.edu) in addition to filing with the Office of the University Registrar (http://registrar.ucdavis.edu). See the College of Engineering Web site or call the Undergraduate Advising Office at (530) 752-1979 for Engineering filing deadlines.

Leave of Absence: Planned Educational Leave Program (PELP)

The Planned Educational Leave Program allows any registered student-undergraduate or graduate-to temporarily suspend academic work at UC Davis. Undergraduates may take one such leave during their academic career at UC Davis and that leave is limited to one quarter in duration. For graduate students the maximum leave is up to one year. Undergraduates apply for PELP at the Office of the University Registrar. Graduate students apply through their departments and professional students apply through their Dean’s office.

Applications for PELP may be filed as late as the tenth day of instruction during the quarter for which the student is requesting a leave. However, approved applications submitted after the first day of instruction will entitle you to only a partial refund of fees paid, in accordance with the Schedule of Refunds. The Schedule of Refunds refers to calendar days beginning with the first day of instruction. The effective date for determining a refund of fees is the date the completed and approved PELP form is returned to the Office of the University Registrar; see the Fees, Expenses and Financial Aid chapter.

An application fee of $60 is charged to your account when you enroll in the PELP program. This fee is identical to that paid by a student who withdraws and is required to pay a readmission fee upon return. After filing your PELP form, you must file an exit form with Student Accounting.

While students may receive academic credit at other institutions and transfer this credit to UC Davis (subject to rules concerning transfer credit), participants are reminded that the intent of the program is to “suspend academic work.” Therefore, students are urged to carefully evaluate the desirability of taking academic work while away from the campus during PELP. Students enrolled in PELP are not eligible to enroll in Open Campus (concurrent) courses at the UC Davis campus, or to otherwise earn academic credit at UC Davis during the PELP leave.

Readmission is guaranteed assuming you resume academic work by enrolling in courses, satisfying any holds that may have been placed on your registration and paying your registration fees by the established deadlines for the quarter specified for return on your approved PELP application. Students who do not return by the specified quarter will be automatically withdrawn from the university.

You will not be eligible to receive normal university services during the planned leave. Certain limited services, however, such as placement and student employment services, counseling, and faculty advising are available. Students on PELP may purchase a health care card from the Student Health Service and may retain library privileges by purchasing a library card. International students should consult Services for International Students and Scholars to find out how the PELP will affect their status. Grants and other financial aids will be discontinued for the period of the leave, but effort will be made, where legally possible, to allow you to renegotiate loan payment schedules and to ensure the availability of financial aid upon your return.

Withdrawal

Withdrawals may be granted by the university for emergency reasons or for good cause. Petitions for withdrawal (Notice of Cancellation/Withdrawal) are available at the Office of the University Registrar. A percentage of fees paid may be refunded, in accordance with the Schedule of Refunds. The effective date for determining a refund of fees is the date the completed withdrawal form is filed with the Office of the University Registrar. After filing your withdrawal form, you must then file an exit form with Student Accounting to complete your withdrawal.

If you are receiving financial aid, you must report your change of status immediately, in person or by mail, to the Financial Aid and Student Accounting Offices. If you are receiving veterans benefits, you must also report your withdrawal to the Veterans Affairs Office.

Retroactive Withdrawals. Petitions for retroactive withdrawals may be obtained from the Office of the University Registrar. Reasons for seeking such are medical problems, severe emotional difficulties, or death or severe illness in the immediate family. Petitions should include a detailed account of the problem, appropriate documentation and an adequate explanation of why withdrawal was not taken during the quarter in which the problem occurred.