College students can only keep their student status 1 year if they are sick or for other reasons. However, it can be retained for 2-3 years because of reasons such as being a soldier/starting a business.

The management of students' status in colleges and universities mainly follows the Measures for the Management of Students' Status in Full-time Colleges and Universities issued by the Ministry of Education 10/983. Article 27 stipulates that students who have to drop out of school for some reason, but do not meet the conditions for dropping out of school, can retain their school status for one year upon their own application and approval by the school. Those who fail to go through the formalities of resumption of study after the expiration of the retention period will be disqualified. Students who retain their school status do not enjoy the treatment of students and school leavers.