If you need to pause your studies for personal or medical reasons, there are three types of leave available to you: personal, medical, and parental. Leaves are normally granted only if you are current with your degree requirements.
Official policies governing leaves of absence are described in the Graduate School’s Programs and Policies Bulletin.
PhD student stipend payments end on the start date of the leave. Students on leave may hold student employment jobs; they may also work at Yale in other employment categories.
You may request any kind of leave by submitting the Change of Status form to your department/DGS.
If you want or need to pause your studies temporarily due to physical or mental health issues, you may request a medical leave of absence.
If you want or need to pause your studies temporarily for personal reasons unrelated to health, you can request a personal leave of absence.
If you want or need to pause your studies temporarily to care for children, you can request a parental leave of absence.