For rare and unusual circumstances, a student may request a leave of absence (LOA) to continue eligibility for WNTSG/TN PROMISE/TCAT RECONNECT.  A LOA may be approved for documented medical or personal reasons, such as serious extended illness of the student, serious extended illness or death of an immediate family member, extreme financial hardship of the student or the student’s immediate family, or other extraordinary circumstances that are beyond the student’s control where continued enrollment creates a substantial hardship.

Students requesting leave of absence (LOA) must do so through the Institutional Review Panel (IRP) using the TCAT Appeal/Leave of Absence Request form along with supporting documentation.  A student may submit a written request in advance for a leave of absence unless an unforeseen circumstance prevents the student from doing so. 

The student will be readmitted as space is available upon completion of the LOA.  An approved LOA will be treated as a withdrawal for all financial aid programs other than the WNTSG/TN PROMISE/TCAT RECONNECT. This may cause awards to be recalculated and a Return of Title IV funds calculation must be done. 

In the event a student did not submit an LOA in advance, but re-enrolls at the institution, they may be eligible to submit an appeal request and supportive documentation to the IRP.

If the Institutional Review Panel denies a student’s request for an appeal/leave of absence, the student has the right to appeal the decision with the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation TELS Award Appeals Panel within 45 calendar days of the date on the decision letter.