Medical leave of absence, academics and finances

[underscore_frosty]

I recently completed (or will complete) my first semester as a computer science PhD student. However, I had to withdraw for the semester due to mental health issues (attempted suicide, you get the picture) and am seeking a medical leave of absence for the Spring semester to get my mind back in order (partially moved back home, seeing a psychiatrist and a psychologist, finally have a PCP, yada yada yada).

My question is, how is this going to affect me academically? My school's policies aren't too clear on what happens when granting a leave of absence (for whatever reason) other than re-enrollment costs nothing. Can I repeat classes (which I need to do because of my withdrawal) or do I pick up where I left off? Am I still bound to do my QEs in the allotted time period? Basically, what are your guys' experience with medical leave?

Secondly, how will this affect my RA? My advisor has said the department will stop paying my stipend when I announce my leave, i.e. when and if it is approved (not a big deal since I have a second job and RAs here are renewed by the semester so I wouldn't get it next semester anyways). Basically, will I be able to come back to my RA after my leave or am I SOL in this regard?

Thanks in advance!

(I submitted this originally in the wrong forum)

[Hope.for.the.best]

I know your school policies are not clear, but I am afraid only your school can give good answers to your questions. Do you have any program coordinator / graduate school advisor etc. whom you can contact? You are certainly not the only and first student who has applied for leave. 

It is good that you are attending to your mental health. Hope you can get well after the leave and move on.  

[fuzzylogician]

In principle, a leave should mean that everything goes on hold, and you get to pick things back up when you're back as if you were never gone. In practice, this really has to be something you figure out with your department, especially when it comes to what to do with this past semester. Even if they don't have clear policies in place, they're going to need to answer these questions. Better ask them now and go through the process of getting answers together than be surprised later. You should be clear on what you want to happen and what you expect. Try to find local resources, such as the office of students with disabilities, dean of students, or similar, where I'm sure they've dealt with issues like this in the past. They should have an idea of what's common and what's possible, and maybe you can get someone from there directly involved in advocating on your behalf.