Postgraduate Scholarships 2008 Conditions Booklet
(APA, MRS, MIRS, FMS, HRS, Prestigious and Other Major Scholarships)
8. Suspension of payments (ie. Leave of Absence)
(a) Students may apply for up to 12 months Leave of Absence for any reason during the tenure of their scholarship.
(b) 2 weeks is the minimum period for which Leave of Absence from a scholarship is possible.
(c) Students must apply for leave from their scholarship at least 2 weeks before the intended leave commences.
(d) Leave is not normally approved earlier than 6 months into the course. Exceptions will only be made for compassionate reasons or if there are exceptional circumstances that are beyond the student's control.
(e) Students who do not wish to continue with their studies while on leave from their scholarship must also apply for Leave of Absence from their course. Completion of the one leave form enables PhD, MPhil, MSc, MOptom and MIS students to apply for leave from their scholarship and/or course. All other students must submit a leave form to the MSO to request Leave of Absence from their scholarship and lodge a separate form to their faculty office to request leave from their course.
(f) Students may be granted unpaid maternity leave for a period of up to 12 months. Maternity leave is a separate entitlement to other requests for Leave of Absence and will not diminish the student's entitlement to also take 12 months Leave of Absence for any reason. See section 7.3 for information about paid maternity leave.
(g) If circumstances beyond their control prevent a student from pursuing their studies, they may apply for more than 12 months Leave of Absence. Requests for additional leave require a letter from the student that explains their situation, supporting documents (e.g. medical certificate for protracted illness), and a letter of support from the supervisor and head of department. Additional leave will only be approved if the documented exceptional circumstances are beyond the student's control and warrant further leave.
(h) The scholarship will be ceased if the student does not resume their studies at the end of the Leave of Absence or if they have not formally extended the leave.
(i) The total period of Leave of Absence is added to the original scholarship end date providing the exception in section 8(j) below does not apply.
(j) Study undertaken towards the course while on Leave of Absence from the scholarship will be deducted from the maximum time for which the scholarship can be held. For example, if a student takes leave from their full-time scholarship as they wish to continue their studies on a part-time basis for 4 months, the period of part-time study (equal to 2 months full-time equivalent) while on leave from the scholarship will be deducted from their scholarship's maximum allowable tenure.
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