Medical Leave

If you’re thinking about taking time away, the first step is to set up time to talk to Student Support. We’ll listen to your individual concerns and circumstances, help you think through the things you might want to consider, and offer information and guidance to help you make a decision. 

Our aim is not to advocate for one particular outcome or another, but instead to help you make a decision about what’s best for you. 

Your Student Support point person will also talk with you about other alternatives to time away, to make sure you’re aware of all your options and can make an informed decision about what’s best for you. Examples of alternatives might include formal accommodations, accessing new/different healthcare, academic support, changes to your academic schedule or daily life, or connecting with other on- or off-campus resources. 

If a health condition is prompting you to consider taking a break from school, talk to Student Support about a medical leave. Student Support oversees that process and can talk through possible next steps with you. 

Definition

A medical leave of absence supports a student’s need to take a substantial amount of time away from the university to address any medical conditions that may be hindering their capacity to fully participate in their academic degree trajectory. An MLOA is therefore by definition a way to address issues in the present and future-facing and is not applied retroactively.

Students may also request a Personal Leave for a variety of reasons, and information and instructions for making such requests can be found here. Personal Leaves are distinct from a MLOA and have their own deadlines, requirements, and expectations. Personal Leaves are requested and managed through a student’s Advising Dean (undergraduates) or their Director of Graduate Studies or Program Director (graduate).

Application 

The medical leave of absence (MLOA) policy applies to all AS&E matriculated students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate terminal degree program.

Pre-Matriculated Students

Students who have been offered and accepted admission to a Tufts AS&E undergraduate or graduate terminal degree program during the period prior to their official enrollment. Examples are students who have accepted an offer to attend Tufts beginning in the fall term of the upcoming academic year, and who participate and complete courses during summer session, whether these count towards their requirements or not. A student who has postponed or deferred enrollment (gap year) is a pre-matriculated student for purposes of this policy.

Matriculated Students

Students who have accepted admission and enrolled in a Tufts AS&E undergraduate or graduate terminal degree program.  

First-Year Students

First-year students who request a MLOA during their first term at Tufts will be eligible to return the fall semester of the following academic year.

Deadline for Requesting a MLOA 

A student may request a MLOA at any point during an active semester up to the last day of classes. Students may also request a MLOA for the upcoming semester after the semester has ended and before the next semester has begun (winter break and summer break). An MLOA is therefore by definition a way to address present and future-facing issues and is not applied retroactively, and a student may not request a MLOA for a semester that has concluded its last day of classes.

Duration

A medical leave of absence is semester-based, and students who pause their studies during a semester must wait until the next semester to resume them. Time away is meant to facilitate addressing the circumstances that have prompted the request, as well as preparing the student for a successful return. Most students who request a MLOA will take at least one full semester off, especially in cases when the MLOA was requested and approved after the midpoint of the semester. 

Initial Step 

Prior to requesting a medical leave of absence, students must consult directly with the Student Support team to understand the process for the request, expectations during the leave, and necessary steps and deadlines for their return. Student Support will provide the student with all information pertinent to a MLOA as well as present other viable alternatives, including but not limited to: formal accommodations, accessing new/different healthcare, academic support, a medical underload, changes to their academic schedule, extra-curricular commitments, or daily life, or connecting with other on- or off-campus resources.

Request a MLOA

Further necessary steps for requesting a MLOA and other considerations are delineated here.

Academic Considerations

Prior to requesting a MLOA, students are strongly encouraged to speak with their academic advisors about academic considerations that may be pertinent to requesting a MLOA.

Changes During a MLOA

Students should be aware that academic programs, course offerings, and degree requirements may change during their time away. Therefore, students are strongly encouraged to consult with their academic advisor prior to their expected return to Tufts.

Graduate Students and Funded Projects

Graduate students should be aware that projects, faculty, and funding sources may change during their time away and are not guaranteed upon their return. Graduate students should consult their academic departments’ graduate handbook for more details. Academic departments will do their best to work with students facing changed academic circumstances, and graduate students are strongly encouraged to discuss plans for a MLOA with them as early as possible. 

Reimbursement

Student who choose to take a MLOA will be reimbursed according to the tuition reimbursement schedule. Whether or not a student will receive a reimbursement and what that will be depends on when a student takes a leave, and students may have more options the earlier they make that decision. For more information students should contact Student Services. Students who acquired tuition insurance may be entitled to a refund in accordance with the rules and requirements of their specific insurance carrier, and students must contact them directly.

Financial Aid

Undergraduate Students: Prior to taking a MLOA, students should speak with their financial aid counselor to discuss any impact on their financial aid. Undergraduate students should visit the Financial Aid website and make a Calendly appointment with their financial aid counselor. 

Graduates Students: Graduate students who have questions about their loans should visit the Financial Aid website and make a Calendly appointment with their financial aid counselor. Graduate students with questions about their research or teaching assistantships should contact Graduate Student Services at 617-627-2000 or via email (studentservices@tufts.edu).

Stipends While on MLOA

Students will not receive stipends during a MLOA and should plan accordingly.

Work at Tufts

Students who are on a MLOA are not eligible to work in positions that require being a currently enrolled student at Tufts.

Courses at Tufts

Students who are on MLOA may not take courses at Tufts. 

Courses at Other Institutions

Students on a MLOA may wish to take courses at another institution, although this is not a requirement for a return since time away is meant to pause their studies and provide time to focus on their health. Students considering this option should be in touch with their academic advisor who will advise them on requirements for transferring credits from other institutions, and any other matters specific to that student’s academic progress and circumstances.

On-Campus Housing

Students on a MLOA are not eligible to live on-campus since being a currently enrolled student is a requirement for living on-campus. Please note: Students who are living on-campus and who request and are approved for a MLOA will have a period of 48 hours to relinquish their housing.

Housing After a MLOA

In many cases, students who take a medical leave can participate in the housing lottery and/or keep an existing future housing assignment. Because there are many factors at work in making this determination, we cannot guarantee on-campus students to juniors or seniors returning from a MLOA. Students seeking to live on campus as an accommodation upon return from an MLOA must seek that through the StAAR Center after concluding the return process. Accommodations are subject to availability of housing. 

International Students

International students must coordinate time away from Tufts with the International Center in addition to Student Support. Before establishing a leave, students should speak with their advisor in the International Center about the impact of time away and any other pertinent considerations. The International Center can provide essential guidance so that international students may benefit from the MLOA policy.

Students Studying Abroad

Students who are studying abroad when they request a MLOA must adhere to all pertinent Tufts deadlines, which supersede any other academic or administrative calendars.

Athletes

Students on a medical leave are not eligible to compete if not actively enrolled. Athletes should connect with their coach to discuss any potential impact time away might have on eligibility upon return.

Health Insurance

Most students who take a medical leave and have purchased the student health insurance plan (SHIP) through Tufts are eligible to keep their SHIP for up to a year from the date of their medical leave. Please contact the Health Insurance Coordinator at studenthealthinsurance@tufts.edu to confirm your eligibility to continue the SHIP while on leave, and to ask any questions regarding your SHIP. If you use a private insurance carrier, please check with your private insurance carrier regarding your health coverage during your leave of absence. 

The SHIP is in effect from August 20 through August 19 of the following year (12 months). If you choose to keep your SHIP while on leave, you will still need to pay the premium for the upcoming year. The premium will be prorated, and the policy will end one year after the start date of your medical leave.  

For more information about insurance policy options, you can visit the Health Insurance Marketplace, Massachusetts Health Connector, your state Medicaid agency, a short term medical insurance, or your preferred insurance company. 

Healthcare

While on a MLOA, students that are covered under SHIP are eligible to receive care through external providers. However, on-campus health services, including Health Service, Counseling and Mental Health Service (CMHS), and CARE are accessible only to currently enrolled students. Students should work with Health Service, CMHS, and/or CARE who will help them identify external providers for their healthcare.

Conduct While on a MLOA

Students are responsible for adhering to the student code of conduct and all other pertinent conduct rules while on a MLOA. If Tufts receives a report of a violation while a student is on MLOA, the student will receive a charging letter and be expected to engage with the conduct process. When a student takes a MLOA while a process is already pending or in course, the expectation is that the process will continue during this time until its resolution. Students on MLOA in either circumstance may request a stay from the charging body and receive a stay for a reasonable time period that both allows for the process/charge to be resolved in a timely manner, and allows the respondent to pause the process until they are able to appropriately participate in the process. However, given equity and fairness considerations to all parties involved, a stay may not always be possible. 

Discipline 

A disciplinary sanction of suspension supersedes a MLOA.

Required Medical Leave

The Tufts Medical Leave of Absence process assumes students taking time away are doing by choice. However, in rare cases, the Dean of Students Office, in consultation with health and/or counseling professionals, may determine that a student’s health requires that they be placed on a required medical leave of absence for health or safety reasons. This decision will be based on an assessment of the student’s ability to safely and productively engage in purposeful activities at Tufts and will consider the health and safety risks the student may present to themselves or other members of the community. This decision may also consider whether the student’s actions have caused ongoing or significant community disruption inhibiting the academic progress and safety of other students in the Tufts community. A required medical leave of absence may be appealed, and more information can be found here.

Appeals

In the event that a student objects to the decision made by the Dean of Students Office, or other formal decision made by the University under this process, the student may appeal that decision in writing to the Dean of Students or the designee. Appeals based on concerns about disability or other types of discrimination may also be made to the Office of Equal Opportunity c/o Jill Zellmer, Director and Title IX/504 Coordinator.

Deadline: Appeals must be made within 7 calendar days from the date of the decision and the student may not remain on campus during the appeal period.

Appeal Documentation: Appeals should specifically cite incorrect facts or unfair application of Tufts leave procedures and provide information to support these statements. Any medical information submitted as part of the appeal must include signed releases for the student's treatment team to discuss pertinent information with the Dean of Students, designee, or clinician assigned to review medical information.

Final Decision: After receiving the appeal, the Dean of Students or a designee will respond in writing to the student. The response will provide a conclusion as to whether or not the Committee’s decision is appropriate upon a thorough review of relevant facts and information. 

A student who has been required to take a leave of absence from the University may appeal this decision. The student must submit an appeal letter and include the reason(s) for the appeal within five (5) business days of notice of the required medical leave of absence. The appeal letter and any additional supporting documentation, the student wishes to provide, must be submitted to the Dean of Students Office.

In making a decision, the Dean or her designee will review the documentation provided and may consult with other departments. The decision on the appeal will be communicated to the student as soon as possible. During the appeal period, the student will remain on leave and may not be on campus, attend classes or participate in university activities without authorization from the Dean of Students Office. If an appeal is denied, the decision is final and no further appeal is permitted.  

If a student believes that they have been discriminated against in connection with any University program or activity because of a disability, they have the right to seek a review by Tufts University Office of Equal Opportunity.

Once the semester begins, an enrolled student interested in a medical leave must complete their request by the last day of classes that semester. A student may also take a medical leave prior to the beginning of the next semester even if they have enrolled in courses but are unable to start classes.

Steps for Taking a Medical Leave

1. Talk with Student Life and, if warranted, your Advising Dean or faculty advisor: All students requesting to take a Medical Leave of Absence need to have a conversation with the appropriate Dean of Students resource. We also strongly encourage students to have conversations with their undergraduate Advising Dean or graduate faculty advisor and/or academic department if they are considering taking courses elsewhere while on leave or would like to discuss other academic considerations before taking a leave. 
2. If you are an International student, talk with the International Center.
3. Complete the Request a Medical Leave Form after you have met with your Student Life resource and once you have determined that a Medical Leave is the best course of action.
4. Prepare to leave campus: If the student resides on campus housing, they are required to move out within 48 hours of completion of the "Application to Request a Medical Leave" form. If the student lives on campus, they should contact Mail Services to let them know how to handle their mail.

*Once the "Application to Request a Medical Leave" form is processed, the appropriate departments (i.e. Dining Services, Registrar, Office of Residential Life and Learning) will be notified. (The notification will not specify the type or reasons for the leave.)

Notice of Return from Medical Leave

When you're ready to come back, Student Support will be here to help you navigate your return. We'll help you think through the transition back to Tufts and how to set yourself up for success—whatever success means to you. We understand that providing Notice of Return from Medical Leave involves both coordination and planning. When you're ready to come back to Tufts, we'll work together with you to navigate the steps for re-entry and help you create a plan that sets you up for success.

Deadlines

Completing the process to provide Notice of Return from Medical Leave within the appropriate window of time is an important step in demonstrating readiness to return to Tufts. Students must complete the return process by submitting all re-entry materials and meeting with the necessary staff members within the following dates, depending on when they wish to return:

If you believe you have an extenuating circumstance that impacts your ability to meet the deadlines above and would like to request an exception to the deadlines, please first submit your request and rationale for an exception to deanofstudents@tufts.edu. Please note that exceptions to the above deadlines are rare.

Steps to Return

There are three steps required for all students provividing Notice of Return Medical Leave. The tabs below outline the general requirements for each step. Students may receive additional, personalized instructions based on individual circumstances, and Student Support and/or the Dean of Students Office will communicate any additional conditions in writing.

Step 1: Complete the Notice of Return from Medical Leave Form

Complete the Notice of Return from Medical Leave Form. The online form will prompt you to upload your Personal Statement, as well as any additional documentation, if applicable (unofficial transcripts and/or letters of reference). Please note: for official transfer of credits please follow the process as outlined by the Registrar. 

Step 2: Have Your Provider Compete the Clinical Documentation Form

Once you have completed Step 1, forward the Clinical Documentation Form to your primary treatment provider and request that they complete it.

Step 3: Meet with Appropriate Staff

Upon submitting materials, students providing Notice of Return from Medical Leave will be required to speak with the appropriate Tufts administrators attending to health and academics. Your resource in Student Support will work with you to coordinate necessary meetings based on individual circumstances. This may include:

• Your contact in Student Support.
• Counseling and Mental Health Service clinician for re-entry evaluation, if applicable. This appointment can be made only after all clinical information has been received by the stated deadline.
• Medical Director of Health Services or clinical designee for re-entry evaluation, if applicable. This appointment can be made only after all clinical information has been received by the stated deadline.
• The appropriate undergraduate Advising Dean (Liberal Arts BA/BS, Liberal Arts BFA, or Engineering), or graduate faculty advisor or academic department designee. 

Once Your Return Is Confirmed

Once a student's return has been confirmed from Medical Leave, they will receive a letter via email confirming the return from Medical Leave. Student Support will notify the Registrar to lift the Medical Leave hold. Then, students may begin working on the checklist items below.

Checklist

1. Register for courses: Once active on SIS, the student will be able to register provided there are no other holds on the account. For any financial holds, contact Student Services. For any advisors hold, please contact your undergraduate Advising Dean (Liberal Arts BA/BS, Liberal Arts BFA, or Engineering).
2. Contact the Office of Residential Life and Learning to pursue on-campus housing. Students will complete a housing waitlist form to provide their list of preferences. (Preferences are not guaranteed as space is limited. The Office of Residential Life and Learning will make a best effort to accommodate students returning from Medical Leave, but cannot guarantee a space in the case of extraordinarily high demand.)
3. Be in touch with Financial Aid if you have received financial aid in the past.
4. Contact the International Center to obtain appropriate travel visa documents if you are an International student.
5. Visit Student Accessibility Services if you have accessibility needs and wish to request accommodations.
6. Contact Mail Services to let them know how to handle the mail upon return.