Deadline
The University establishes the semester deadlines for leaves of absence and withdrawals; these may be viewed on the University Registrar’s website, under “Semester Dates” and “Withdrawals and Tuition Refund Schedules.”
If the semester deadline for a leave of absence has passed, and a medical or other emergency arises which will prevent you from taking your scheduled finals, you should contact your academic advising office or School/College dean’s office for assistance.
Things to Know and Do
Visa Status (International Students)
International students studying on an F-1/J-1 visa should view ISSO’s “Interruptions to your Program, Employment, or Affiliation” page and contact your ISSO advisor (www.bu.edu/isso/contact/appointment-scheduling-for-students/) with questions. It is generally expected that you will depart the U.S. immediately upon arranging your leave/withdrawal. If you opt to pursue a leave/withdrawal, you must also file a request through the ISSOPortal (https://issoportal.bu.edu/_portal/) in the “Request Center”, in addition to the Leave/Withdrawal Request form for BU. See image below, and email isso@bu.edu for assistance if you have questions about your ISSOPortal request.
On-campus Housing
Students residing in on-campus housing may take up to 48 hours to vacate their residence and return their keys; see BU Housing’s webpage for more detailed checkout instructions. Information regarding the housing refund schedule may be found in the Terms and Conditions of the Residence License Agreement.
Academic Implications
An approved leave will result in a “leave of absence” notation being placed on your academic transcript. In addition, individual classes may reflect a notation of “W” depending on when the leave occurs.
Class Registration
Your name will be removed from all class lists for the current semester.
Financial Implications (Tuition Cancellation Schedule)
Please note that the Charles River Campus tuition refund schedule applies to undergraduate students and permits the full cancellation of tuition only for leaves of absence and withdrawals taken prior to the start of the semester. When an emergency medical situation arises after the start of the term, necessitating a leave of absence, undergraduate students may request an exception to the tuition refund schedule through the USC. See the expandable link “Mid-Semester Leaves of Absence and Tuition/Fee Adjustments” below for more information.
Medical Documentation
University policy requires all students who take leave for medical reasons complete a medical review process with Student Health Services prior to re-enrollment. Information on the medical review process is outlined under the returning from leave options. It is not necessary to provide medical documentation at the time of the leave of absence. Providing medical documentation at the time of the leave or soon thereafter, however, can facilitate the process of requesting return from medical leave.
Financial Assistance
Financial aid awards may be reduced or canceled when students do not complete the semester. Financial aid eligibility for future semesters may also be affected. Adjustments will vary based on aid type (federal grants and loans, Boston University need-based scholarships, outside sponsorships and awards) and the timing of your leave of absence, so discuss your specific situation with the USC and Financial Assistance staff. Please also see “Loan Deferment/Repayment” section, below.
Student Account/Billing
Allow two to three business days for account adjustments to be reflected in your online invoice; adjustment of financial aid funds may take up to thirty days. If these adjustments result in a credit balance (overpayment) on your account, the credit may be left in place to offset future charges, or can be refunded by Student Accounting Services upon your request.
Loan Deferment/Repayment
Student and parent educational loans may go into repayment status once a student takes a leave of absence. Information on payment amounts, grace periods, etc., can be obtained by contacting the lender.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
The Boston University Student Medical Insurance Plan coverage is yearlong and begins each August. Undergraduate students whose leaves are approved by the beginning of August (for the fall semester only or for the full academic year) will have their SHIP coverage canceled and the charge removed from the tuition invoice, as part of the leave process. Students may also waive SHIP coverage directly via the Student Link, during the official waiver period.
Students who are enrolled in the Boston University Student Medical Insurance Plan in the fall, who arrange a spring leave of absence, will retain the coverage through the remainder of the policy period.
To determine the impact that arranging a leave of absence will have on your eligibility to retain insurance coverage, contact insmed@bu.edu or call 617-353-2870. For more information about SHIP, please visit the Student Health Services resource page.
Student Employment/Work-Study
Alert your employer that you will not be returning to your position. Your Work-Study award will be cancelled when you take a leave of absence. A student on a leave of absence cannot be paid as a student employee; see the policy “Student Work Hours for Employment at Boston University” for more information.
Access to Services
During a leave of absence, you will not have access to BU services such as FitRec membership, library borrowing privileges, etc.
BU Email and MyBU Student access
Your BU Email account remains active for each semester you are officially registered for classes or are on an approved leave of absence. If you do not register and do not obtain approval for a leave of absence for a fall or spring semester prior to your graduation, your email account may be deactivated.
Your MyBU Student access will cease unless you have an active status with the University. This is why it is very important to either be enrolled for each semester, or be on an approved leave of absence status, from matriculation through graduation. If you have graduated, or lost access to MyBU Student due to inactivity and you wish to request a transcript, visit the Registrar’s webpage on “Ordering Transcripts.”
