{"id":458,"date":"2014-06-12T11:56:23","date_gmt":"2014-06-12T16:56:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/?page_id=458"},"modified":"2025-12-03T11:20:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T16:20:27","slug":"arranging","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/leaveandwithdrawal\/arranging\/","title":{"rendered":"Arranging a Leave of Absence"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script type=\"text\/JavaScript\">\r\n function Redirect() {\r\nwindow.location = \"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/leaveandwithdrawal\/\";\r\n }\r\n setTimeout(function() {\r\nRedirect();\r\n }, 0);\r\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!----------------------------------------- Old Content ----------------------------\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<table>\n\n\n<tbody>\n\n\n<tr>\n\n\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"10%\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/home\/pen-and-form-awaiting-signature\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8807\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/usc\/files\/2023\/05\/pen-and-form-awaiting-signature-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-8807\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n\n\n\n\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"90%\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/leaveandwithdrawal\/requesting-a-leave-or-withdrawal-online\/\"><em>Instructions for arranging a leave of absence or permanent withdrawal.<\/em><\/a> <\/strong>\n<strong>(Instructions for Summer 2025 will be available late April; instructions for Fall 2025 will be available in late May.)<\/strong><\/td>\n\n\n<\/tr>\n\n\n<\/tbody>\n\n\n<\/table>\n\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFull-time undergraduate degree candidates arrange leaves through the University Service Center (USC).\u00a0 All other students should contact their academic dean\u2019s office or records office for assistance.\u00a0 See the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/reg\/registration\/withdrawals\/\">Registrar\u2019s Office website<\/a> for more information.\u00a0 If you\u2019re unsure of the correct office, <a href=\"contact\">contact the USC<\/a>.\n\nUndergraduate students should finalize leaves through the USC six to eight weeks in advance of the semester.\u00a0 While you can (and should!) consult with us a full semester ahead of your intended leave, we recommend completing the necessary paperwork between mid\/late May and July 30 for a fall leave, during the month of December for spring, and late April for summer (CGS 1st year students only).\u00a0 Review the information provided in the sections below (\"Why Take A Leave?\", \"How A Leave Will Affect You\", and \"How Do I Officially Request a Leave of Absence?\"), then <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/contact-us\/\">connect with us<\/a> for direct assistance.\n\nNotes:\n\n\n<ul>\n \t\n\n<li><strong>As an undergraduate degree candidate, it is your responsibility to be enrolled (or on an approved leave of absence) for every fall and spring semester, from matriculation through to graduation.\u00a0 If you are not enrolled \/ not on an approved leave of absence, your academic program may be discontinued.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n \t\n\n<li>International students who are studying in the United States on a student visa, must <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/isso\/contact\/\">contact ISSO<\/a> to speak with an advisor before submitting a leave of absence request to the USC. Taking a leave of absence can have significant visa-related implications, so it is important to discuss your options with ISSO.<\/li>\n\n\n \t\n\n<li>Leave of Absence for Medical Reasons<em>: <\/em>If your leave of absence is for medical reasons, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/policies\/withdrawal-leave-of-absence-and-reinstatement\/\">University policy<\/a> requires that you successfully complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/leaveandwithdrawal\/returning\/medical-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">medical review process<\/a> through Student Health Services prior to re-enrolling. Medical documentation is not required in order to arrange your leave, but students often find it helpful to share a doctor\u2019s note with Student Health Services to keep their records updated and to facilitate the return process.\u00a0 Speak with a USC associate director about your situation and appropriate next steps.<\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n[collapsible heading=\"Why Take a Leave?\" elem=\"h4\"]\nCircumstances sometimes arise that make it necessary or advisable for a student to interrupt his or her studies. Examples include:\n\n\n<ul>\n \t\n\n<li>attending to a health issue (leave of absence for medical reasons)<\/li>\n\n\n \t\n\n<li>completing required military service<\/li>\n\n\n \t\n\n<li>pursuing a professional opportunity such as an internship<\/li>\n\n\n \t\n\n<li>addressing a family\/personal obligation<\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<strong>What if I need to miss a few days of school? Do I need to take a leave of absence?<\/strong>\nSometimes students need to miss class for a few days due to an illness or a family emergency. It is very important to notify each of your professors of the absence as soon as possible; a call to your <a href=\"resources#acadadvising\">academic advising office<\/a> or dean\u2019s office is usually a good idea, too. Students are expected to make arrangements for completing any missed work directly with their instructors. In many cases, a short absence from classes, with conscientious follow up on your part, will not prevent you from successfully completing the semester.\n\nIn cases of serious illness or injury, a student may not be able to finish the semester coursework and a leave of absence may be necessary. Please see <a href=\"midsemesterleaves\">Taking a Leave After the Semester Begins<\/a> for more information.\n\nIf you are unsure whether your situation requires a leave of absence or a withdrawal, or if you are just not sure where to start, please <a href=\"contact\">contact the University Service Center<\/a> and speak with an associate director.\n[\/collapsible]\n[collapsible heading=\"How a Leave Will Affect You\" elem=\"h4\"]\n<strong>This information applies for leaves arranged through the University Service Center (USC) <em>before<\/em> the start of the semester. If the semester has begun, see <\/strong><a href=\"midsemesterleaves\"><strong>Taking a Leave After the Semester Begins<\/strong><\/a><strong>.\u00a0<\/strong><strong> <\/strong>\n\n<strong>Academic Advising<\/strong>\nIf you\u2019re considering a leave of absence, talk with your <a href=\"resources#acadadvising\">academic advisor<\/a> about how this will affect your degree studies (schedule for taking required courses, changes to graduation date, etc).\n\n<strong>Academic Transcript<\/strong>\nWhen your leave of absence is approved, the notation \u201cleave of absence\" will be listed on your transcript for the appropriate semester.\n\n<strong>Class Registration<\/strong>\nWhen your leave of absence is approved, your course registration will be cancelled for the upcoming term and your name removed from class lists.\n\n<strong>Financial Implications \/ Tuition Cancellation Schedule<\/strong>\nThe published <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/studentaccountingservices\/resources\/withdrawal-and-tuition-refund-schedule\/\">tuition refund schedule<\/a> 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. <strong> <em>If you need to arrange a leave on or after the first day of the semester, review the information under <a title=\"Special circumstances: arranging for a leave of absence after the semester begins\" href=\"midsemesterleaves\">Taking a Leave After the Semester Begins<\/a> and <a href=\"contact\">call the USC<\/a>. <\/em><\/strong>\n\n<strong>On-campus Housing<\/strong>\nYour on-campus housing assignment will be cancelled and the space reassigned. For information on requesting on-campus housing for your semester of return, see <a title=\"Planning Your Return From a Leave of Absence\" href=\"returning\">Planning Your Return From a Leave of Absence<\/a>.\n\n<strong>Financial Aid<\/strong>\nNeed-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 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/finaid\/apply\/special-circumstances\/withdrawal-and-leave-of-absence\/\">BU Financial Assistance<\/a>. Any award offered by a private donor will be adjusted according to the terms stipulated by the donor.\u00a0 Please also see \"Loan Deferment\/Repayment\" section, below.\n\n<strong>Student Account\/Billing<\/strong>\nAllow 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.\n\n<strong>Loan Deferment\/Repayment<\/strong>\nStudent and parent educational loans may go into repayment status. Information on payment amounts, grace periods, etc., can be obtained from the lender.\n\n<strong>Health Insurance<\/strong>\n\nThe Boston University Student Medical Insurance Plan coverage is yearlong; the policy year begins each August.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Students may also waive SHIP coverage directly via the Student Link, during the official waiver period.\u00a0 After the first 30 days of the policy period, the medical insurance coverage cannot be waived.\u00a0 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.\n\nTo determine the impact that arranging a leave of absence will have on your eligibility to retain insurance coverage, contact <a href=\"mailto:insmed@bu.edu\">insmed@bu.edu<\/a> or call 617-353-2870.\u00a0 For more information about SHIP, please visit the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/getting-started\/student-health-insurance-plan\/\">Student Health Services resource page<\/a>.\n\n<strong>Medical Requirements<\/strong>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/policies\/withdrawal-leave-of-absence-and-reinstatement\/\">University policy<\/a> 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 <a href=\"returning\">returning from leave<\/a> 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.\n\n<strong>Student Employment\/Work Study<\/strong>\nAlert 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.\u00a0 <span>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.\u00a0 See the policy \"<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/policies\/student-work-hours-for-employment-at-boston-university\/\">Student Work Hours for Employment at Boston University<\/a>\" for more information.\n\n<strong>Access to Services\/Terrier Card<\/strong>\nDuring 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.\n\n<strong>BU Email Access<\/strong>\nYour BU Email account remains active for each semester you are officially registered for classes or are on an approved leave of absence.\u00a0 (If you are not enrolled and not on an approved leave of absence, your BU email account may be deactivated.)\n\n[\/collapsible]\n[collapsible heading=\"How Do I Officially Request A Leave of Absence?\" elem=\"h4\"]\nFor information on the process for requesting an official leave of absence, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/leaveandwithdrawal\/requesting-a-leave-or-withdrawal-online\/\">here<\/a>.\n[\/collapsible]\n\n\n\n---------------><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1183,"featured_media":0,"parent":445,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/458"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1183"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=458"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/458\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9565,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/458\/revisions\/9565"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/usc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}