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BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Read the Leave of Absence Policy
Be sure to review the Leave of Absence policy so you do not 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 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 - summer term), contact Enrollment Services 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 is a good idea to stay connected by regularly checking My Financial Center and your BYU email 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 Federal 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.
Renew Your Ecclesiastical Endorsement
You must have a current endorsement for the semester that you are going to register for. Endorsements are valid for 12 months. When renewing your endorsement, make sure to choose the 'Continue my studies at BYU, where I am currently enrolled as a student' option.
Agree and Re-Commit to the Honor Code
Every 12 months, you must re-commit to the Honor Code. As a BYU student, you should seek to be honest in your dealings with others. You should complete and be evaluated on your own work. You should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct.
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
Finding a place to live near campus is important. For your first two semesters at BYU, 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. You are eligible but not required to live on-campus or in BYU off-campus contracted housing once you have completed two semesters at BYU. There are on-campus housing communities for students who are 19 or older, and some on-campus housing options may require students to have a meal plan. Meal plans may make it easier for you by saving time and/or money.
Obtain a Tuberculosis (TB) Test
If you have lived outside of the U.S. or Canada for six months or more, Utah state law requires you to have a tuberculosis skin test. You must comply by the first day of classes, or a TB hold will be placed on your record. If you're an International student, you must also comply or your student visa status may be terminated. Contact the Student Health Center to make an appointment.
Enroll In or Waive Student Health Plan
Students enrolled 3/4 time or more (9-semester credits/4.5-term credits) must have health insurance coverage year-round. You are automatically enrolled in BYU’s Student Health Plan one week before classes start if private insurance has not been reported. You will have access to waive the plan about one month before classes start. This is a yearly process and the deadline to waive the BYU Student Health Plan is the semester add/drop deadline.
Update Personal Info
Once you return from your Leave of Absence, you should update your personal information online. Be sure that your phone number, mailing address, and email in your personal information are up-to-date. BYU will use these to send you important information, so you will want it to be up to date.
