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Withdrawal Policy/Military Leave of Absence

The New School is committed to supporting students who must fulfill military obligations. This policy ensures that the transition to active service is seamless, minimizing academic and financial disruption for those serving in the Armed Forces—including Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve components—whether through activation, enlistment, or conscription.

Students called to active military duty during a registered semester will work with the Center for Military-Affiliated Students and may choose one of the following options:

  • Withdrawal: Withdraw from one or more courses and receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees. If processed after the add/drop period, a grade of W will be assigned with a notation indicating military obligation. Students receiving financial aid remain subject to the refund policies of the specific agencies sponsoring their aid.

  • Incomplete: Receive a grade of Incomplete and complete the coursework in collaboration with the instructor, subject to the standard Grade Policy regarding timelines.

Students must complete the Official Exit Form and submit their military orders within two weeks of receiving official military notification. Students are eligible to extend their Military Leave of Absence (MLOA) for the entire duration of their military service.

Re-enrollment at The University 

Service members on MLOA from The New School will contact the Student Veteran Services Office about returning to the program from which they took leave. If that program is no longer offered, the student will be offered the program that is most similar. If a student wishes to return to the university and pursue a different program of study, they should file a new application through the Office of Admission and scholarships will be reassessed. Previously awarded institutional scholarships resume when a service person returns to the same program at the university within 3 years of active duty. Reentry to the university beyond 3 years (or next available term) and not exceeding 10 years from the date of active duty will follow the university’s readmission policy. 

Upon re-enrollment, a student returning from MLOA will retain class status and credits completed and earned. For students in degree programs that may have had technological advances in their field of study, the faculty may require an evaluation of those skills or repeating a course. Should a student be required to repeat a course, the university assumes financial responsibility to cover said coursework. 

The institution must make reasonable efforts at no extra cost to the servicemember to help them become prepared, or to enable them to complete the program including, but not limited to, providing refresher courses and/or allowing the servicemember to retake a pretest. Reasonable efforts are actions that do not place an undue hardship on the institution. An undue hardship exists if an action requires significant difficulty or expense when considered in light of the overall financial resources of the institution and the impact otherwise of such action on the operation of the institution. 

Published 2026 by The New School

Important Notice: The information published herein represents the plans of The New School at the time of publication. The University reserves the right, in its sole discretion and without notice, to modify any matter contained in this publication, including but not limited to tuition, fees, policies, degree programs, names of programs, the structure or name of any academic constituent unit, course offerings, academic activities, academic requirements, facilities, faculty, administrators, and the manner, method, location, schedule, or format in which campus operations, instruction, programs, courses, or academic activities are delivered, including but not limited to transitioning between in-person, hybrid, remote, or online modalities. The University’s obligation is to provide academic instruction and award academic credit toward degree requirements; no representation or guarantee is made that instruction will be delivered in any particular academic structure, manner, modality, location, or format. This Catalog, together with all related materials, including but not limited to websites, marketing materials, and course descriptions, is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract or guarantee of any specific educational experience or location, including in-person instruction, access to facilities, or campus-based activities. Except as expressly required by applicable law or as otherwise determined by the University in its discretion, changes to the academic structure, manner, modality, location or format of instruction shall not entitle students to any refund, reduction, or adjustment of tuition or fees. Payment of tuition for or attendance in any classes shall constitute a student’s acceptance of the administration’s rights as set forth in this notice.

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