This information applies for leaves arranged through the University Service Center (USC) before the start of the semester. If the semester has begun, see Taking a Leave After the Semester Begins.
Academic Advising
If you’re considering a leave of absence, talk with your academic advisor about how this will affect your degree studies (schedule for taking required courses, changes to graduation date, etc).
Academic Transcript
When your leave of absence is approved, the notation “leave of absence” will be listed on your transcript for the appropriate semester.
Class Registration
When your leave of absence is approved, your course registration will be cancelled for the upcoming term and your name removed from class lists.
Financial Implications / Tuition Cancellation Schedule
The published tuition refund schedule provides for the full cancellation of tuition and fees for a student who requests a leave of absence prior to the first day of the semester. If you need to arrange a leave on or after the first day of the semester, review the information under Taking a Leave After the Semester Begins and call the USC.
On-campus Housing
Your on-campus housing assignment will be cancelled and the space reassigned. For information on requesting on-campus housing for your semester of return, see Planning Your Return From a Leave of Absence.
Financial Aid
Need-based financial aid, loans, and BU scholarships offered for the semester(s) you are on a leave of absence will be cancelled. For more information, visit BU Financial Assistance. Any award offered by a private donor will be adjusted according to the terms stipulated by the donor. 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 refunded.
Loan Deferment/Repayment
Student and parent educational loans may go into repayment status. Information on payment amounts, grace periods, etc., can be obtained from the lender.
Health Insurance
The Boston University Student Medical Insurance Plan coverage is yearlong; the policy year 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. After the first 30 days of the policy period, the medical insurance coverage cannot be waived. This means that students enrolled in SHIP for the academic year will retain coverage for the remainder of the policy period, even when taking a spring(-only) leave of absence.
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.
Medical Requirements
University policy requires that all students who take leaves for medical reasons complete the 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 on this site. 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 medical review process as part of the return from leave arrangements.
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 or in a non-credit certificate or exchange program cannot be paid as a student employee, but can be hired as a temporary employee/staff/faculty through Human Resources. See the policy “Student Work Hours for Employment at Boston University” for more information.
Access to Services/Terrier Card
During a leave of absence, you will not have access to BU services (FitRec membership, library borrowing privileges, etc.) and your Terrier Card swipe/tap access will be deactivated.
BU Email 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 are not enrolled and not on an approved leave of absence, your BU email account may be deactivated.)
