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  • Change of Student Status

Change of Student Status

●Students who need to change their student status ? taking a leave of absence, withdrawing and so on - should consult with the Student Office and then complete the necessary procedures. Those who do not complete the procedures may have their permission for the requested change revoked.

【Leave of Absence】 【At the end of the leave of absence term】 【Reinstatement】 【Withdrawal】 【Readmission】 【Transfer Within the University】 【Study Abroad】 【Expulsion】

Type of Change Application Deadline *2 Office
Spring Semester Fall Semester
Leave of Absence February 15 August 5 Application Fee: ¥15,000
Matriculation Fee: ¥5,000
per semester 		Student
Office
Reinstatement Domestic February 15 August 5
International End of
December
*1 		End of
June
*1
Withdrawal Ongoing Ongoing
Readmission Domestic February 15 August 5 Application Fee: ¥10,000
<Successful applicants only>
Readmission Fee: ¥13,000 or ¥20,000
(depending on the year of admission)
International End of
December
*1 		End of
June
*1
Transfer Within University Mid-December Mid-June Transfer Application Fee: ¥10,000 Academic
Office
Study Abroad Recruitment and application twice a year, one year before departure.

Notes:
1. Application deadlines for international students are earlier to allow for visa application processing times.

2. Application fees, matriculation fees, and re-admission fees are non-refundable, regardless of the circumstances. Fees are subject to change.


Leave of Absence
Criteria
  • Students with a valid, unavoidable reason for being unable to attend classes for a period of three months or more may apply for a leave of absence. Examples can include illness, economic circumstances, military service, or other reasons beyond the control of the student.
  • Note:
  • Leave of absence can only be taken in semester units. Leave of absence can be taken for a maximum of four consecutive semesters. During their leave of absence, students may apply to shorten their leave of absence and return to APU earlier than planned, or they may apply to extend their leave of absence up to the maximum of four semesters.
  • The college student visa that allows international students to study at APU will no longer be valid once they start their leave of absence, and must be canceled when leaving Japan. When returning to APU, international students will need to apply for a new visa.
  • Students in a semester in which they could potentially graduate are not able to take a leave of absence.
    • Examples :
    • A student in their 8th semester who has completed all the credits needed to graduate cannot apply for a leave of absence.
    • A student in their 7th semester who has completed all the credits needed to graduate can apply for a leave of absence. (Does not include accelerated program students.)
    • A student in their 9th semester or later who has not completed all the credits needed to graduate
      can apply for a leave of absence.
Leave of Absence Application Deadlines

 Domestic / International
Leave of absence starting in the spring semester February 15
Leave of absence starting in the fall semester August 5

Note:If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will move to the next business day.
If you need to cancel your leave of absence after receiving permission, you must complete the necessary procedures before the application deadline for the start of your leave of absence. Once the application period has ended, you will not be able to cancel your leave of absence.

Application Procedures

  1. Attend the guidance session and receive the necessary documents.
    Note: Students who take Leave of Absence due to military service, illness, economic circumstances, family matter, and English based students do not need to attend the guidance session. Please come to Student Office to pick up the documents.
    Schedules of guidance session
  2. Prepare and submit the necessary documents before the deadline.
  3. Your application is reviewed by committee.
  4. Notice of the committee's decision is posted. Results are sent by mail（or DHL etc.）.

Required Documents

  1. Submit all required documents below to the Student Office before the deadline.
    • Request for Leave of Absence: Must include your financial sponsor or family member's signature.
    • Leave of Absence Statement: May be typed or handwritten.
      Students traveling abroad or with an internship must use the designated forms.
      Leave of Absence for Overseas Travel or Internships Statement of Purpose and Planning Sheet (WORD)
      A statement is not required if applying for a leave of absence for medical reasons.
    • Application fee: 15,000 yen.
    • Matriculation fee: 5,000 yen per semester.
    • Medical certificate (if taking a leave of absence for medical reasons).
    • Status Change Request:
      ※For domestic students receiving a scholarship from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO); the scholarship must be suspended during the leave of absence.
For students traveling abroad or with an internship:

Students who intend to travel abroad, take a working holiday, go backpacking, or work at an internship (either domestic or overseas) must read the following.

Procedures
Procedures are essentially the same as applying for any other leave of absence.
However, using the forms provided by the University, you need to submit your statement of purpose and planning sheet for your leave of absence.

Preparations
APU is unable to provide you with any support or advice in regard to finding a school to study at, looking for a company to internship with, finding a scholarship, or preparing your visa. It is the opinion of the University that it is important that you look after these matters yourself. The below link may be of use when making your preparations.
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Study Abroad Information Page (Available in Japanese only) http://ryugaku.jasso.go.jp/

Other things to consider
Traveling or living overseas is often a rewarding experience. However, to make the most of this experience, you truly need to contemplate why you are taking a leave of absence of leave and what you intend to do during your time away from APU.
Students cannot take a leave of absence simply because they want a change of scenery or to study in an English speaking country. Think carefully about what you need to do while you are living or traveling overseas and what you hope to gain from this experience. Many APU students already have experience living/ traveling overseas. It can be very helpful to make connections with these students and talk to them while you are still in the planning stages.


At the end of the leave of absence term

At the end of the leave of absence term, students must complete the necessary procedures for re-enrollment, leave of absence extension, or withdrawal. Students who do not submit the required documentation by the end of the leave of absence term date will be automatically withdrawn from the University.

All of the necessary documents will be sent to the student’s address registered on Campusmate. The same documents can be downloaded using the link below. Students must print, complete, and send the documents by postal mail. Documents sent by email will not be accepted.

List of necessary documents for application (PDF)


Reinstatement

Before the end of the student's leave of absence, in May or November, the University will send any necessary forms to the home address the student has registered in Campusmate. Students should be sure to complete the procedures for reinstatement before the deadline.

Reinstatement application deadlines

 Domestic International
Spring semester leave of absence ending September 20 (returning in the fall semester) Aug. 5 End of Jun.
Fall leave of absence ending March 31 (returning in the spring semester) Feb. 15 End of Dec.

Note: If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will move to the next business day.
※Students who do not file for reinstatement or for an extension of their leave of absence by the deadline will be considered to have withdrawn from the University at the end of their leave of absence.


Withdrawal
  • Students who encounter unavoidable circumstances such as illness may apply to withdraw from the University. Students who wish to apply should consult with the Student Office in advance to receive the necessary forms.
  • Any tuition paid to the University will not be refunded.
The following will result in compulsory withdrawal:
  • Failing to complete the necessary procedures for a change of student status, such as reinstatement or transfer within the University, by the set deadline.
  • Becoming subject to disciplinary action in the form of withdrawal.


Readmission
  • Students who have withdrawn or have been expelled may petition for approval to be readmitted.
  • Students who have been readmitted will retain any credits they earned during their previous period of enrollment, prior to their withdrawal/expulsion.
  • A student may apply for readmission within three years of the last day of the semester in which they withdrew/were expelled. However, the student must submit the necessary forms by the deadline for the corresponding semester.
  • Students approved for readmission must pay one semester's tuition in full before being readmitted.
Readmission application deadlines

 Domestic International
Spring Semester Readmission Feb. 15 End of December
Fall Semester Readmission Aug. 5 End of June

Note: If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will move to the next business day.


Transfer Within the University
  • Transferring allows students who are advancing to their second or third years to change from their current college to another college within Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.
  • In principle, recruitment for transfer takes place when there are vacancies in a certain college.
    Students who wish to transfer should refer to the Academic Office homepage for more information.


Study Abroad
  • Students who wish to study abroad while enrolled at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University should consult with the Academic Office.
    ※See the Undergraduate Academic Handbook for more information.


Expulsion

The following will result in expulsion. Students who have been expelled cannot be readmitted. (Only students who have been expelled for non-payment of tuition fees are able to apply for readmission.)

  • A student's duration of study exceeds eight years.
  • Dual enrollment (A student enrolling in two or more universities, colleges, or departments at the same time).
  • Death.
  • A student going missing for three months or more.
  • Failing to pay full tuition by the deadline.

Note:
About students who go missing for three months or more

  • When there is reason to believe a student may not be coming to the University ? for example, because the student is not registering for courses, not taking final exams or not attending their classes - the University will contact the student's registered current address and home address.
  • If the University attempts to contact the student and the student fails to respond with a legitimate reason, the University will consider the student missing and will expel the student after three months.
  • Students should always ensure their current addresses and contact information are registered in Campusmate so that the University can contact them if they are unable to come to APU due to illness, accident, or other unforeseen circumstances. If a student becomes unable to come to the University, they should consult with the Student Office as soon as possible and complete the procedures for a leave of absence or withdrawal.

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