Military Leave
The University of Montevallo is committed to supporting our service men and women of the United States and the State of Alabama, as well as their spouses and children. This policy outlines procedures and instances dealing with VA students who are called to duty and must withdraw from the semester, leave prior to the end of a term, attend training during the semester or must miss the beginning of the semester due to military orders.
An undergraduate or graduate student who is a member of the U.S. military, National Guard, or other armed forces reserve unit who is called or ordered to active duty elsewhere may be granted a Late Start or Military Leave of Absence (MLOA) from the University.
Upon return from a military related absence of not more than three (3) years, a VA student with an approved MLOA will not be required to apply for readmission or pay readmission fess. The VA student will be restored to the same academic standing earned prior to leave and will be allowed to preregister for classes with currently enrolled students, during the early registration period, prior to the term for which they plan to return to campus.
Late Start
If you must begin classes late, but can attend before the end of the third week, because of required involuntary military service or training, you may ask for an approved late start to the semester. You must contact the Director of Veteran Affairs, provide a copy of your orders, a written statement indicating the date you will be able to attend the class and notify all professors and instructors. If your late start is approved, you will not be dropped for non-attendance or non-payment during that time. You must meet with the Director immediately upon returning to campus. In addition, you are responsible for completing all course requirements, including all missed during your absence.
Required training during the semester
If you receive orders requiring you to miss classes in order to attend involuntary training, you may request an approved military leave of absence. The requirements for the leave include:
o You are currently passing all courses
o You are in good academic standing (GPA is 2.0 or above)
o You will be absent no more than three calendar weeks.
You must contact the Director of Veteran Affairs and the instructor of each course. Provide a copy of your orders to the Director along with a written statement indicating the date you will leave and return. You are responsible for completing all course requirements, including all missed during your absence.
Deployment before the beginning of the term
If you are to be deployed before the beginning of the semester, you should submit the following to the Director of Veteran Affairs:
o Withdrawal form
o Military Leave of Absence Notification Form
o Copy of your military orders
You will be withdrawn from the University and receive a total refund of any pre-registration payment made for the term. Any tuition/fee funds received from the VA or DOD will also be returned.
Deployment during the term – Withdrawal
If you receive involuntary military deployment orders requiring you to leave school for the semester before the term ends, you may request a Military withdrawal from the term. You should submit the following to the Director of Veteran Affairs:
o Withdrawal form
o Military Leave of Absence Notification Form
o Copy of your military orders
You will be withdrawn from the university and receive a total refund of any payment you made toward the term. Any tuition/fee funds received from the VA or DOD will not be refunded to you. In addition, all courses will be graded with a grade of ‘W’ with an indication of Military Withdrawal.
Deployment during the term – Completing course requirements
If you receive involuntary military deployment orders requiring you to leave school during the last three weeks of the fall/ spring semesters (or last week of the summer terms), you may attempt to work with your instructors in order to complete course requirements and receive a grade.
You should submit the following to the Director of Veteran Affairs as soon as possible:
o Military Leave of absence Notification Form
o Copy of Military Orders
o Written statement indicating your desire to attempt to complete course requirements.
You should then contact each of your professors to see if it is possible to do one of the following: Complete all requirements for the course before your deployment date or receive a grade of incomplete for the course. Please see the UM Incomplete Policy in the Academic Policies section of the current Bulletin: Click Here
If neither option is determined to be acceptable by either you or the instructor, the instructor will notify the Registrar’s Office and you will be withdrawn from that course.
Immediate Deployment
In the case of immediate deployment without proper time for notification to the school, the Dean of Students will be empowered to act on your behalf.
Returning to UM
When you are ready to return to UM, you should meet with the Director of Veteran Affairs so you can be readmitted and unlocked for registration. You may then contact your major department and/or advisor to set up an appointment for academic advising and pre-registration.
Remember to request that an official copy of all transcripts for course work you completed during your absence, including an updated military transcript, be sent to the Registrar’s office.
