Student Parental Leave & Pregnant/Parenting Student Resources

To qualify for an approved leave of absence (LOA):

• The school must have a formal written policy regarding leaves of absence requiring that all requests for leaves of absence be submitted in writing and include the reason for the student’s request.
• The student must request, and the school must approve, the LOA in accord with the school’s policy.
• There must be a reasonable expectation that the student will return from the LOA. This condition is specified to make clear that a school may not grant a student an LOA merely to delay the return of unearned Title IV funds.
• The school may not assess the student any additional institutional charges, the student’s need may not increase, and, therefore, the student is not eligible for any additional Title IV aid. The school may grant a full tuition credit toward the course the student chooses to reenter as a way to comply with this requirement that the student not be assessed any additional charges upon return from the leave.
• The LOA, together with any additional leaves of absence, must not exceed a total of 180 days in a 12-month period.

If the student has a Title IV loan, the school must explain that prior to granting the LOA, the effects that their failure to return from an LOA may have on the loan repayment terms, including the expiration of the grace period. A student granted an LOA that meets the criteria in this section is not considered to have withdrawn

Leaves of absence versus the grade of incomplete

At term-based schools, students who are unable to complete the requirements of an individual course are often assigned the grade of incomplete (I). Students are usually expected to complete the required work within a reasonable time to receive credit and a passing grade. If a student is assigned an incomplete status for one or several courses but continues to attend other courses, the student is not considered to have withdrawn. A student who is awarded the grade of incomplete in all of his or her classes is not considered a student on an approved LOA unless the LOA meets the criteria in this section.

For more information, email UMB's Office of the Registrar at registrar@umaryland.edu.

There are two instances of Leave of Absences (LOA): Title IV and UMB School approved. Title IV LOA can only be for Military or medical reasons. For more information, please review this PDF.

Leaves of absence versus the grade of incomplete

At term-based schools, students who are unable to complete the requirements of an individual course are often assigned the grade of incomplete (I). Students are usually expected to complete the required work within a reasonable time to receive credit and a passing grade. If a student is assigned an incomplete status for one or several courses but continues to attend other courses, the student is not considered to have withdrawn. A student who is awarded the grade of incomplete in all of his or her classes is not considered a student on an approved LOA unless the LOA meets the criteria in this section.

Students who meet the following requirements will be able to maintain their SHIP, in the event of a leave of absence. 

Eligibility requirements:

• Students must be currently enrolled in the UMB Student Health Insurance Plan.
• Students must have been previously insured under the SHIP for at least one year prior to the request for a Medical Leave of Absence.
• Students must provide a copy of the leave of absence verification form signed by a dean or an advisor.
• Students intend to return to the University and remain a degree-seeking candidate.

For more information, visit the SHIP webpage.

Leave of Absence: University of Maryland School of Dentistry - Leave of Absence Policy

Withdrawal and Refund of Fees: University of Maryland School of Dentistry - Withdrawal and Refund of Fees

• Revised NIH Parental Leave Policy for Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards  
• GS Emergency Fund 
• Pregnant Worker Declaration
• Leave of Absence, Withdrawal, and Incomplete Grades 

Family Leave Policy for MD Students

Leave of Absence Policy

Student Caregivers

• Please view the leave policy for all students (not specific to parents) in the School's Student Handbook

• Excused Leave of Absence Policy
• Student Progression Policy ("Incomplete" Grading)

• School of Social Work Parent Alliance (Student Group)
• Student Handbook (including information about Leave of Absence and Withdrawal)
• Request for Leave of Absence
• Request for Grade of "I" Incomplete
• Withdrawal from the School of Social Work

• Parents Attending Law School (PALS Student Group)
• Voluntary Withdrawals & Leaves of Absence
• Incomplete Grades

Kate Noonan, PhD, MSEd
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
University of Maryland School of Dentistry

Erin Golembewski. PhD
Vice Dean

MD 

Elizabeth Lamos, MD
Assistant Dean, Student Affairs
Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Maryland School of Medicine

Kerri Thom, MD, MS
Associate Dean, Student Affairs
Professor of Epidemiology & Public Health
University of Maryland School of Medicine

MGC

Shannan Dixon, MS, CGC
Director of the Master’s in Genetic Counseling Training Program
University of Maryland School of Medicine

DPT

Michael Z. Patterson 
Director of Student Services, DPT Program
University of Maryland School of Medicine

MPH

Andrea Manning
Academic Program Specialist in the MPH Program
University of Maryland School of Medicine

Steven L. Johnson, MA
Associate Dean for Student and Academic Services 

Andrew Coop, PhD
Associate Dean for Graduate Students

Kristine A. Parbuoni, PharmD, BCPPS
Associate Dean for PharmD Students

JuliAna Garcia Brammer, MBA
Director of Admissions, Records and Registration

Dawn Shafer, PhD, LCSW-C, MSW
Associate Dean, Student Affairs

Jenna Johnson LCSW-C
Director, Student Affairs

Erica Smith, JD, LLM
Associate Dean, Student Services

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

• Also known as the Food Supplement Program (FSP), SNAP provides monthly assistance to low-income individuals and families to help them purchase food to meet their food and nutritional needs. Everyone has the right to apply for SNAP — including UMB students. To learn if you meet the eligibility requirements, review the SNAP Eligibility for Students section below and/or contact the Maryland Department of Human Services.

 Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) 

• From the moment you find out you’re pregnant until your child turns 5, WIC provides extra support to help keep your family healthy. WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC provides healthy foods, personalized nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to other services to support you and your family.

Downtown Baltimore Child Care Center Financial Aid

• University of Maryland, Baltimore students are eligible for a scholarship for services at the Downtown Baltimore Child Care Center.

Maryland Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Program

• CSS provides financial assistance with child care costs to eligible working families in Maryland. Eligible families receive payment vouchers that can be utilized by child care providers. 

Maryland Medical Assistance Program

• Medicaid is a public health insurance program. It is free or low-cost health insurance for eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. It is the largest health care program in the United States.

Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP) 

• The Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP) provides free coverage to eligible uninsured children whose family earns too much money to get Medicaid, but not enough to afford private health insurance. Your child may be eligible for Medicaid or MCHP even if you are not. Apply Any Time

UMB Student Health Center

• UMB Student Health is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality care in a friendly and expedient manner. Whether you require routine medical services, immunization compliance support, or assistance with any health-related concerns, we are here to serve you. 

Off-Campus Health Care Service Providers

• Within the Maryland region or your home state a variety of health care providers are available. If you need assistance identifying a referral, contact your insurance provider, consult with a friend or family member, or call/email UMB Student Health for guidance.

Maryland Department of Human Services

• Contact your local Department of Social Services to learn about adoption resources. Typically, resource parents are licensed by the Department of Social Services in the jurisdiction in which they reside. 

The Maryland People's Law Library

• This article provides information regarding the basic laws of adoption in Maryland.

AdoptUSKids

• Adopt US Kids is the nation’s only federally funded photolisting service that connects children in need of forever families with prospective adoptive parents.

Department of Human Services

• The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) provides services to support your and your family. 

Maryland Family Network

• From family support and early learning to statewide advocacy, Maryland Family Network helps families, childcare professionals, and policymakers build a Maryland where every child can thrive.

211

• Search the Community Resource Database for programs that support children and families. Narrow results by entering your ZIP code.

Resources for Baltimore City Families

• Baltimore City offers several assistance programs to help residents with energy costs, rent, and other essential needs. 

Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success (MOCFS)

• At the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success (MOCFS), mission is to drive transformative change in the City of Baltimore by using a three-generation approach to deliver comprehensive services that pave the way for the success of Baltimore’s children and families.