Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Guidelines

Students who wish to take a leave of absence or permanently withdraw from the
University should contact the University Service Center, located on the Lower Level of 881
Commonwealth Avenue (617/358-1818). Mere absence from classes does not constitute
official withdrawal and does not reduce your financial obligation to the University. You
must officially withdraw or arrange for a leave of absence prior to the start of the semester
in order to obtain the full cancellation of tuition and fees. Students who do not file an
official withdrawal or leave of absence request may encounter problems with their
financial aid, billing, and academic status.

Exit interviews are conducted at the University Service Center for students withdrawing
or taking leaves of absence. Exit interviews help to ensure that the withdrawal/leave of
absence process is a smooth and efficient one for students, and provide an opportunity
for students to comment on their experience at the University. All CAS students who are
withdrawing for academic reasons are asked to speak with a member of the professional
advising staff in the Academic Advising Center, CAS room 105 (617/353-2400), before
leaving campus.

Students who are unable to arrange in person for a leave of absence or withdrawal may
submit a written request to the University Service Center; please contact the office at
617/358-1818 for instructions regarding the information which must be included with a
mailed or faxed request. A request for a leave of absence or withdrawal is effective on the date the signed request is received in the University Service Center. Charges are canceled in accordance with the published refund schedule, based on the effective date of the request. The refund schedule is outlined in a number of Boston University publications, including the Undergraduate Bulletin and Student Accounting Services’ The Guide.

If the effective date of the leave of absence or withdrawal entitles the student to the full
or partial cancellation of charges, a credit balance may result on the student account. To
obtain the refund of a credit balance, a written request must be submitted to Student
Accounting Services at 881 Commonwealth Avenue. (Financial aid recipients submit
refund requests to the Office of Financial Assistance, also located at 881 Commonwealth
Avenue.)

International students in F-1 or J-1 immigration status must obtain written approval from
the International Students and Scholars Office at 19 Deerfield Street (617/353-3565),
before taking a leave of absence or withdrawing.

For more information, please refer to the University Service Center.