Leave Of Absence

(1) A borrower may be granted a medical or personal leave of absence from attendance at an eligible postsecondary institution and resume receiving the Tennessee Rural Health Loan upon resumption of the borrower’s attendance at an eligible postsecondary institution so long as all other applicable eligibility criteria are met. An eligible postsecondary institution may grant a leave of absence only for medical or personal reasons. Allowable medical or personal reasons shall include, but not be limited to, illness of the borrower, illness or death of an immediate family member, extreme financial hardship of the borrower or borrower’s immediate family, a military obligation of the borrower or family member, or other extraordinary circumstances beyond the borrower’s control where continued attendance by the borrower creates a substantial hardship. In the event an institution denies a borrower’s request for a medical or personal leave of absence, the borrower may seek relief from the decision in accordance with Rule 1640-01-21-.11.