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BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Read the Leave of Absence Policy
Be sure to review the Leave of Absence policy so you don’t run into any problems when you return. This will help ensure you are eligible and return at the right time so you don’t have to reapply to BYU.
Check Your Eligibility
You have to be a BYU day-time eligible student [DC-Day Continuing]. Check your registration eligibility on the ‘Register’ tab in MyMAP.
Check Special Restrictions
If you are a newly admitted student, international student, or going on a mission, there are particular rules and timing with taking a leave of absence. Failure to follow the leave of absence policies could result in you having to reapply to the university.
Military Service Leave
BYU does not have a military service deferment. If you are required to leave BYU for military service and will miss an entire academic year (fall semester through summer term), contact Enrollment Services at 801-422-4104 to discuss your options before you leave.
If you are required to drop all your classes during a semester, you will want to contact Enrollment Services to make appropriate arrangements.
Review Internship Processes
If you are doing an internship and will be registered for an internship course in your major, it does not count as a Leave of Absence. Reviewing the internship process will ensure you take the proper steps.
Note: If your internship is not connected to a BYU internship course and you will not be registered for any other BYU credits, it will count as a Leave of Absence.
Review Student Employment Policies
You are not eligible for student employment during the semester you take a leave of absence.
WHILE YOU'RE AWAY
Stay Connected
During your leave of absence, it’s a good idea to stay connected by regularly checking My Financial Center and YMessage where important messages specific to you will be posted. You are ultimately responsible for reading your messages and taking action when necessary, even during your leave of absence.
Repay Financial Loans
Student loans have a repayment grace period of six months beginning on the date the borrower drops below half-time enrollment. If your leave of absence extends beyond six months (i.e. winter semester and spring term), your grace period ends and you will go into loan repayment.
The minimum credit hours required to prevent loan repayment are:
Fall/Winter: 6 credits (undergraduate), 4.5 credits (graduate);
Spring/Summer: 3 credits (undergraduate), 2.5 credits (graduate).
The Federal Student Aid website provides information about loan repayment.
Return to Compliance
If you have been academically suspended or dismissed, or honor code suspended or dismissed, you should consult with the appropriate office.
PREPARING TO RETURN
Prepare for Registration
If you attend at least one semester or term within an academic year (fall semester through summer term), you will maintain continuing status and registration eligibility for the next academic year. If the system will not let you register, it could be because you need a new ecclesiastical endorsement, you have a hold on your account, or you missed more than one major semester.
If you attend another school during your leave of absence, remember to send an updated transcript to BYU so your credits can be applied to your BYU record. If you do not attend another school, your academic status will remain the same as it was when you took your leave of absence.
Apply for Scholarships
The university continuing student scholarship application deadline for spring/summer and fall/winter scholarships is February 1 regardless of BYU attendance. If you don’t want to miss out on scholarships for when you return from your leave of absence, you will need to apply by February 1.
Find Housing
For your first two semesters as a BYU student, all single undergraduate students must live (1) in BYU On-Campus Housing, (2) in BYU Off-Campus Contracted Housing, or (3) with qualifying family members. This applies to all single undergraduate students, including transfer students, who are matriculated, meaning they have been admitted to a BYU degree-seeking program. Finding a place to live near campus is important. You can choose between on-campus or off-campus housing options. Some on-campus housing options may require you to have a meal plan. Meal plans may make it easier for you by saving time and/or money.
There are on-campus housing communities for students who are 19 or older. Off-campus contracted apartments can be found at och.byu.edu.
Obtain a Tuberculosis (TB) Test
If your student’s missionary service was outside of the United States or Canada for six months or more, Utah state law requires them to have a tuberculosis skin test. They must comply by the first day of classes, or a TB hold will be placed on their record.
International students must also comply or their student visa status may be terminated. For questions or scheduling an appointment with the Student Health Center, please call 801-422-5134 or 801-422-7711.
Enroll In or Waive Student Health Plan
Students enrolled in at least 9 semester credits/4.5 term credits are required to have health insurance coverage year-round. Students are automatically enrolled in BYU’s student health plan one week before classes start if private insurance has not been reported. However, if your student has their own health insurance they will need to waive the health plan through My Financial Center to avoid paying for the BYU Student Health Plan.
Students will have access to waive the plan approximately 1 month prior to classes starting. The deadline to waive the BYU Student Health Plan is the semester add/drop deadline.
Update Personal Information
Once you return from your Leave of Absence, you should update your personal information online. This will help ensure you are receiving emails and notifications again from BYU.
