All students interested in returning to Duke will need to complete the return process which begins with completing the return request form during set time periods.
Request windows for upcoming terms appear below. Request deadlines are strict, so complete your form early.
Questions? Please email us at timeaway@duke.edu.
Return Request
The Summer 2026 return request will open on February 1, 2026.
Return Timelines
The deadlines for returns are determined according to registration windows and housing considerations so that all students, including returning students, receive equitable course selection and housing considerations.
Returning Semester | Return Requests Open | Return Requests Close |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2026 | February 1st Summer registration begins February 16th. | April 1st |
| Fall 2026 | March 1st Fall registration begins April 1st. | June 1st |
| Spring 2027 | August 1st | October 1st |
If it is after the deadline and you have a truly extenuating circumstance, email timeaway@duke.edu.
Checklist for Students Requesting a Return
Consult this checklist as soon as you begin to consider your return plans. Please remember to check your Bursar account! Your return cannot be processed if you have any outstanding balance on your account. If you have any questions or want assistance, please email us at timeaway@duke.edu.
- Complete the Time Away Return Request Form.
- If you are requesting a return from a Medical Leave of Absence, your treating providers will complete the return medication documentation. The Time Away Office will send a copy of the required form to your provider (with you copied on the email) based on the provider contact information you enter into the Time Away Return Request Form. Completed forms are to be submitted directly by your provider to the Time Away Office by secure email to timeaway@duke.edu or the forms can be faxed to (919) 668-6393.
- Contact the Bursar's Office to reconcile any outstanding financial balances and ensure you have clearance for return. The Bursar's Office can be reached at (919) 684-3531 or bursar@duke.edu. We recommend that you call and email the Bursar's office.
- Request for Transfer Credit: If you are eligible to transfer credits back to Duke, you must request that an official transcript be sent directly to Duke's Registrar's Office. Only transcripts sent directly from the visiting institution’s Office of the Registrar are considered official documents. It is against faculty regulations for any candidate to take a course at another university and later enroll in the equivalent course at Duke. After your official transcript has been reviewed by your review committee, it will be forwarded to Duke’s Office of the Registrar independent of your return decision. If you were suspended, you are not eligible to receive credit for course work completed during your time away.
- Students experiencing mental health and health concerns may qualify for classroom or housing accommodations through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please visit the SDAO website or call the Student Disability Access Office, at (919) 668-1329 for additional information.
- Explore tuition insurance to learn ways to protect your educational investment. Although Duke does not provide insurance directly, we partnered with GradGuard to provide tuition insurance that you can tailor to your individual needs.
- If you have been away longer than one semester or requested mailbox closure, contact Campus Mail Services to request a new mailbox.