Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the medical leave and return process.
How does a medical leave impact...?
On-Campus Housing
If you live on campus and seek a current term medical leave or you have accepted a previous term medical leave with readiness to return required, you will be required to move out of your on-campus residence and return the room/apartment key to your primary service center. Contact the Residence Education and Housing Services Housing Assignments Office for more information, including details on any outstanding financial needs and refund practices.
Refunds
Medical Leaves are subject to the Medical Withdrawal Policy for Class Tuition and Fees Refund Policy. For most supported requests, students receive a $500.00 lump sum tuition refund for the term the medical leave is granted for.
Students who have concerns about their last date of attendance or tuition refund can appeal through the Office of the Registrar. Please note the Office of Student Support & Accountability does not determine or process refunds.
Financial Aid
If a student receives federal, state or institutional financial aid (such as scholarships, grants, loans and/or work study), contact the Office of Financial Aid to learn how a withdrawal could affect a specific aid package.
The Financial Aid Refund Policy provides additional information about the impact of dropping credits and withdrawing, including an example of a Title IV return of funds calculation.
Academic Recess or Dismissal
If a student is academically recessed from an academic program, the student is still eligible to apply for a retroactive medical leave. If the retroactive medical leave is approved, the semester will be withdrawn. In most cases this effectively undoes the status of the recess by returning the student to the standing they had at the end of their last semester.
- Please note that due to the timing of recess notices, an approved medical leave after a recess typically requires students to take at least one semester away before re-enrolling.
If a student is academically dismissed from an academic program, the student is still eligible to apply retroactively. If the retroactive medical leave is approved, the semester will be withdrawn and the student would return to the academic standing from the end of the previous semester. In most cases this effectively undoes the status of the dismissal by returning the student to the standing they had at the end of their last semester.
- Please note that due to the timing of recess notices and the time it takes to initiate a review, an approved
medical leave after a recess typically requires students to take at least one semester away before re-enrolling.
MSU Email Address
Students are typically able to maintain access to their Outlook email and other Microsoft suite services until they have been unenrolled for three consecutive semesters including the semester of withdrawal and summer. If a student loses access while still within this time frame, please contact MSU IT.
My Ability To See My On-Campus Provider
Each situation is unique, but it may be possible for students continue with their current on-campus provider. We recommend that students contact their providers through CAPS, Olin, Center for Survivors, etc. to learn all available options to continue treatment while on leave.
My On-Campus Job
Unfortunately, students on medical leave are unable to continue in their student employment roles while on leave. Students are encouraged to speak with their supervisor about opportunities to return to the role in the future.
How should students spend their leave when required to demonstrate readiness to return?
The short answer is spending time doing the things that help them feel well and make the progress toward the goals they set with their providers!
The time spent on leave looks different for each student. Students may use the time to engage in treatment agreed upon by their provider. OSSA recognizes the beneficial impact of engaging with a support system, keeping in a routine and finding personally fulfilling activities during this time of leave.
Continuing Academics
While students are not able to enroll at MSU while on medical leave, some students find maintaining academic engagement at a local community college helpful to their success in transitioning back to MSU.
Transfer MSU contains helpful tools and resources to understand credit equivalencies.
Envision Green is a partnership between Lansing Community College and MSU to help students navigate between the institutions. Students can also connect with their academic advisor or college contact to discuss options.
What resources can help students support their wellbeing?
MSU has many programs, offices and employees dedicated to supporting students on their Spartan journey. Resources specifically focused on assisting students with health matters include, but are not limited to: