Leaves, Withdrawals, and Cancellations

Leaves and Withdrawals

Students who plan to take a temporary leave of absence or withdrawal from Lewis & Clark must file paperwork with the Office of the Registrar. The maximum length of a temporary leave is two consecutive fall/spring semesters, including the partial semester if the student is taking a mid-semester withdrawal. The filing deadline for a planned leave beginning in the spring semester is November 1, or April 1 for a planned leave beginning in the fall semester. Please contact your college advisor if you have questions about filing and dates. 

If you are a residential student who is taking a leave or withdrawing during the semester, please contact our office by using the Agreement Termination Notice form below. You will have 72 hours upon your leave approval to vacate your residential assignment. We will send you information about the vacate and key return process. 

Cancellations

Cancellations Before Contract Start Date

• Not Required students looking to cancel their housing contract before the housing contract start date should send an email to living@lclark.edu with the subject line ‘Canceling On-Campus Housing Contract’. Campus Living staff will work with the student to confirm their canceled room and board plan. 
• Required residents looking to be released from their contract to live off-campus must submit a Contract Release Petition.
  • The deadline for Required residents to submit a Contract Release Petition for Fall 2025 Only or 2025-26 All Year Housing Contracts is Friday, August 1st, 2025. For Spring 2026 Only, the deadline is December 1st, 2025. 

Contract cancellation charges are listed at the bottom of this webpage. 

Deposits from continuing students may be returned only if written notice of contract termination is received by the Office of Campus Living on or before July 1 for a contract beginning Fall semester, or 60 days prior to the beginning of Spring semester if it is the first semester of occupancy during the academic year.

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Contract Release After Contract Start Date

• All residents looking to cancel their housing contract after the contract has begun must submit a Contract Release Petition and the Agreement Termination Notice form below.
• Learn more about the housing contract, residency requirement, and contract release here. 
• If you are approved for contract cancellation, you will have 72 hours to vacate your room and return the key. Campus Living will reach out with information for key return and check-out.