Parental Accommodation Policy

ISAW Doctoral Students Within the Term of Their ISAW Funding

Full-time ISAW students who are within the term of their ISAW funding1 and become primary caregiving parents to a newly born or adopted child may request to have their academic responsibilities amended for up to 6 weeks or for one full semester. This may include modifying class attendance, exams, and other academic requirements for a student’s degree program. After receiving an application for a period of Parental Accommodation (PA), GSAS will work with the student and the student’s advisor or Director of Graduate Studies to create a revised plan for degree completion.

Student Status and Funding

  • During the period of PA, students maintain full-time student status and must remain in compliance with the terms and conditions of their ISAW award.
  • Students receiving PA may opt to continue to receive their ISAW support package during the period of accommodation, including health insurance and access to university resources. The PA does not grant additional semesters of funding.
  • Students receiving external financial support must contact the funding agency and comply with its policies. If the external funding agency suspends funding, ISAW will not assume the responsibility of funding the student.
  • Students who use a PA will be provided a one-semester extension of enrollment for departmental and/or school academic requirements. For example, if a student would otherwise have been required to take his/her qualifying exams by the end of their third year, the student who uses a PA will be given an additional semester to fulfill this requirement. Likewise, students using a PA will be provided an additional semester to fully complete all degree requirements, if required.
  • If a student chooses to use a PA for one full semester, the student will be registered under Maintenance of Matriculation (MM). MM fees and student health insurance for that semester will be awarded by ISAW per the terms of the ISAW package.
  • The period of PA may begin at any time after the student becomes a primary caregiving parent to a newly born or adopted child, through 12 months after the child is born or adopted. New parents who use a PA are not prohibited from applying for an additional leave of absence of one semester.

 
ISAW Doctoral Students Beyond the Term of Their ISAW Funding

ISAW doctoral students who are beyond the term of their ISAW funding who become primary caregiving parents to a newly born or adopted child may apply for a one-semester extension of enrollment to fully complete all degree requirements, and/or a leave of absence.

Applying for Parental Accommodation

Applications by ISAW doctoral students within the term of their ISAW funding for a PA must be made no later than four months prior to the start date of the requested PA period. Applications for a one-semester extension of enrollment and/or leave of absence by ISAW doctoral students beyond the term of their ISAW funding must be made no later than three months after childbirth or adoption.

To apply for Parental Accommodation, please consult with the Associate Director for Academic Affairs and fill out the Parental Accommodation Form.

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1 Term of ISAW funding includes the five-year ISAW award term and also the two years of maintenance of matriculation waivers (including health insurance) that follow the award term.