Leave of Absence and Withdrawal Policies

Students who wish to take a semester or two off from CCA, with the intention of returning, should go through the leave of absence process. Students who wish to leave and do not intend to finish their studies at CCA must officially notify the college by going through the withdrawal process.

A student may request a leave of absence from their current semester up to the 10th week of the semester. If a student withdraws from all classes prior to the 10th week of the semester, they may be subject to the Title IV Return of Funds policy (see Tuition Refunds and Credits).

The college reserves the right to place a student on a leave of absence for nondisciplinary reasons when it concludes that a leave is in the best interest of the student due to personal or health-related conditions that apparently have not or cannot be resolved in an immediate fashion, or if it deems such a leave necessary due to a threat to the student's or others students' health or safety. The student may register again upon satisfaction of such terms as the college determines are appropriate to the situation.

Leave of Absence

Students may take a leave of absence from the college for a maximum of two consecutive semesters.

Undergraduate students seeking a leave of absence may begin the process by meeting with a staff advisor in the Advising Office on either campus.

Graduate students seeking a leave of absence should meet with their program manager, who will provide the LOA form.

The leave will be approved when the student has met all financial obligations to the college; obtained all required signatures on the LOA form; and turned the form into the Student Accounts Office. No grades, transcripts, or other official records may be issued until the student has met all obligations, financial and otherwise, to the college, and returned all college property.

Students who are on an approved leave of absence may participate in priority registration and their CCA email account remains active during this period.

Undergraduate students who wish to receive credit for courses taken outside of CCA during their leave must also file a Transfer Credit Approval Request prior to commencing any courses. Such students should be aware that a maximum of 12 semester units can be transferred to CCA after a student has matriculated at the college (students who transferred in 60 or more units to CCA upon matriculation can transfer a maximum of 6 additional units).

Withdrawal from CCA

Students wishing to withdraw from the college should begin the process by meeting with a staff advisor in the Undergraduate Advising Office or with the appropriate graduate program manager. Students who decide to withdraw must complete the withdrawal form; meet all obligations, financial and otherwise, to the college; obtain all required signatures; and submit the completed form to the Student Accounts Office.

Failure to attend classes or verbal announcement of the intent to withdraw does not constitute official notification.

A student may withdraw from classes up to the 10th week of the semester. Withdrawing from a class after the Add/Drop period could result in a student's status changing from full-time to part-time, if the student has less than 12 active units remaining. For instance, if a student is registered in 12 units and withdraws from a 3 unit class, they will be considered a part-time student. This change in status will only affect enrollment verification requests (typically needed for Good Student Driver discounts, private insurance coverage and loan deferments) submitted to the Student Records Office after the Add/Drop period. Residential housing and CCA health insurance coverage will not be affected if the change in status occurs after the Add/Drop period. If a student withdraws from all classes during the semester, they may be eligible for a partial tuition credit or be subject to the Title IV Return of Funds policy (see Tuition Refunds and Credits)

Students who fail to notify the college of their intent to withdraw are held responsible for all tuition and fees owed to the college and will not be eligible for any refunds or credits. No grades, transcripts, or other official records may be issued until the student has met all obligations, financial and otherwise, to the college, and returned all college property.

Returning to CCA

Undergraduate students who have been absent from the college for more than one year and those who did not go on an official leave must complete a Return to Active Status petition obtained in the Registrar's Office.

If the application is accepted, the student will be subject to academic requirements in effect at that time. If a petition is denied, the student must reapply to the college through the regular admission process with Enrollment Services.

Graduate students who have been absent from the college for more than one year and graduate students who did not go on an official leave should contact their program manager directly.

Under no circumstances will a student who has been dismissed from CCA be permitted to reapply to the college within one full academic year. Any dismissed student who wishes to return to the college must reapply through the regular admission process with Enrollment Services.