University of Waterloo
What Waterloo says
Exact quotes from Waterloo’s official pages, checked word for word on Oct 22, 2026.
To request a stream switch or to change your co-op sequence, complete a Sequence Change form and submit it to your academic advisor.
— uwaterloo.ca ↗Submit your form at least two weeks before the course selection date for your next scheduled academic term.
— uwaterloo.ca ↗Students who have not enrolled in at least one course for more than three consecutive academic terms must apply for readmission…
— uwaterloo.ca ↗Students who have not enrolled in at least one course for more than three consecutive academic terms must apply for readmission
— uwaterloo.ca ↗Written by AI from the quotes and pages we read. It may be incomplete or wrong; the school’s own pages win.
- Waterloo appears to have no formal undergrad leave for regular-stream students.
- Up to three consecutive terms away looks automatic; co-op sequence rules may differ.
- If enrolled for Winter, ask your registrar or advising office about dropping classes.
- Reasons accepted: no leave request needed (Co-op students need a sequence change).
- Time away allowed: Up to 3 consecutive terms.
- What to file: short notice or form.
- Classes start Jan 11.
Before you decide
Check on the following…
- Will my spot be held?Check how long your school keeps your place and whether you have to apply to come back.Ask: Registrar
- Will I graduate later?A term off can push back your graduation. Ask which required classes only run in the spring.Ask: Academic advisor
- Is there a deadline to ask?Some schools want your leave request before January. Find out the exact date and the form.Ask: Dean’s office or registrar
- What happens to my scholarships and aid?Ask whether your scholarships and grants pause while you’re away or end, and what you need to do to get them back.Ask: Financial aid office
- When would I have to start repaying loans?Student loans usually stop being deferred when you’re not enrolled. After a short grace period, often six months, payments can start.Ask: Financial aid office
- Will I still have health insurance?A student health plan usually needs you to be enrolled. Make sure you’re covered from January to April.Ask: Student health office
- What about my housing?Ask whether you can leave your housing contract without a penalty and whether you’ll get housing when you come back.Ask: Housing office
- I’m on a student visa. Does this affect it?For F-1 students, not enrolling usually ends your visa status. Talk to this office before anything else.Ask: International student office
Hackathon
- Hack the North ↗Canada's largest student-run hackathon, at Waterloo
Student founder community
- UW Blueprint ↗Students building software for nonprofits; a product-building community
Entrepreneurship center
- Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business ↗University entrepreneurship school (venture-building courses and programs)
- Velocity ↗UWaterloo's startup incubator, open to students from any discipline
Hard-tech team
- Midnight Sun Solar Rayce Car Team ↗Student solar car team
- UW Formula Electric ↗Formula SAE electric race car team
- WATonomous ↗Student autonomous vehicle and robotics team
- Waterloo Rocketry ↗Liquid-fuel rocketry team; launched 'Polaris' in August 2026
CS club
- Computer Science Club (CSC) ↗Student CS club: talks, events, computing resources
Why 91
Spend the winter building. Southbound runs Jan 11 to Apr 11, 2027 in Miami. Acceptance is rolling.
What we could find (checked Oct 22, 2026). Not final: confirm dates and aid with your school before you act. Some source pages show no date or blocked our automated check. Confirm the details with your school. We date pages from server timestamps, page metadata, “last updated” text, PDF dates and the Wayback Machine.