Withdrawal & Leave of Absence

Withdrawal & Leave of Absence

All GSDM Students are registered automatically due to the continuous program at Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM). A student who decides not to attend must take an official leave of absence or withdraw.

Withdrawals are initiated when the student wishes to permanently leave the University.

Leaves of absence, however, are taken when the student wishes to leave the University, but intends to return in a future semester. Leaves of absence will be approved for one or two semesters. A student on leave who wishes to return must inform the School in writing at least six months before the beginning of the semester for which the student is returning.

Withdrawal and Leave of Absence Process

Students who wish to take a leave of absence or withdraw must fill out the Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Form. The student must meet with and/or obtain signatures from the following school officials:

• Predoctoral students: the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs & the Office of the Registrar.
• Postdoctoral students: the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, the department Chairperson/Director of the student’s program & the Office of the Registrar.
• International students on F1 or J1 Visas must also meet with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
• Students with financial assistance must also meet with the Office of Student Financial Services

Students must sign the completed form and bring it to the GSDM Office of the Registrar. The withdrawal or leave of absence is effective on the date the completed form is received by the GSDM Office of the Registrar. Withdrawals and leaves of absence will be processed only for current or future semesters.

Additional Information

Leaves of Absence for Medical Reasons

GSDM adheres to Boston University policy regarding medical leaves.  Withdrawals and leaves of absence for medical reasons are not exceptions to the University’s policy governing refunds.  Students on a leave of absence for medical reasons must be assessed by Student Health Services before they will be permitted to re-enroll.

Medical Insurance

A leave of absence or withdrawal may affect health insurance coverage for students who are enrolled in the Boston University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Students who wish to remain on the plan during a leave of absence need to contact insmed@bu.edu to determine eligibility.

Financial Matters

A withdrawal or leave of absence may also result in a refund of tuition, depending on the effective date of the withdrawal/leave of absence. The tuition refund schedule is based on GSDM’s enrollment dates:

Refund Table

* GSDM 2024-25 Start Dates:

Students are responsible for contacting the appropriate offices (Student Accounting Services and/or the Office of Student Financial Services) to determine whether or not they are eligible for a refund.  If a refund is posted to the student’s account, they may request receipt of the funds via the Student Link.

There is no provision for refund of tuition in cases of involuntary separation, including disciplinary suspension or expulsion from the University. Whether or not a refund is given, and at what percentage, is at the sole discretion of the University, and refunds may be approved only by the President, Provost, Executive Vice President, or Vice President for Enrollment.

Please Note: Mere absence from classes does not reduce a student’s financial obligation nor guarantee that a final grade will not be recorded. Once a student has filed an official Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form with the GSDM Office of the Registrar, the student’s account will be adjusted based on the effective date of the leave or withdrawal.