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2024-25 SHP Options While on Leave of Absence (LOA)

SHP Options Based on LOA Effective Date

Please note: "Leave of Absence" and "In Absentia" are different types of registration status. The information below applies only to leaves of absence. If you are studying "In Absentia", you are still required to be enrolled in health coverage meeting university requirements. Please see our waiver eligibility page or contact us for more information.

This is a guide based on the effective date of your leave of absence. Please also review the important information below the table.

2024-2025 Options Based on LOA Effective Date
IF Your Last Active Term Was:AND the Effective Date of Your LOA Is: THEN Your Default Coverage End Date Is:AND Your Coverage Options Are:
Spring or Summer 2024Before 9/5/24 (Not considered enrolled for Fall 2024 term, see important information below.) 6/30/24 or 8/31/24See options on 2023-2024 LOA page.
Fall 20249/5/24 - 9/30/24 12/31/24
  • Keep coverage through 12/31/24 (default)
  • Request early termination of coverage by 11/30/24
Fall 202410/1/24 -12/31/24 12/31/24
  • Keep coverage through 12/31/24 (default)
  • Request early termination of coverage by 11/30/24
  • Request and pay for a continuation of coverage for 1/1/25 through 3/31/25
Winter 20251/1/25 - 1/30/25 1/31/25
  • Keep coverage through 1/31/25 (default)
  • Request and pay for a continuation of coverage for 2/1/25 through 4/30/25
Spring 20251/1/25 - 1/30/25 (Not considered enrolled in Spring 2025, see note below regarding "Last Active Term".)  12/31/24 (or 1/31/25 if carried Winter 2025 credits)See options above for most recent previous term with credits (usually Fall 2024 or Winter 2025).
Spring 20251/31/25 - 3/31/25 6/30/25
  • Keep coverage through 6/30/25 (default)
  • Request early termination of coverage by 5/31/25
Spring 20254/1/25 - 6/30/25 6/30/25
  • Keep coverage through 6/30/25 (default)
  • Request early termination of coverage by 5/31/25
  • Request and pay for a continuation of coverage for 7/1/25 through 9/30/25

Important Information About "Last Active Term" and Effective Leave of Absence Dates

For the fall and spring semesters, the Office of the University Bursar will refund all tuition and associated fees for leaves of absence and withdrawals dated within the first nine days of the academic term. The Office of Student Health Benefits uses these dates as a reference to establish academic engagement and eligibility for SHP as an active student. This applies to both undergraduate and graduate (including PhD) students.

As a result, if you were enrolled in the fall or spring terms but later went on university approved leave or withdrew with an effective date during the first nine days of the academic term, you are not considered an active student for that term, and your eligibility for SHP is limited to your options for the most recent prior term in which you carried academic credits.

The effective date of your leave of absence is the date recorded by the Office of the University Registrar. In addition, if a leave is recorded as effective on the same date as the return from a prior leave of absence, the original leave date will be used to establish eligibility for SHP or continuations.

Additional Information

  • It is your responsibility to review and understand Cornell resources available to you while on LOA. See: During a Health Leave of Absence | Cornell Health
  • SHP will review registration status for students enrolled in SHP and periodically send notifications regarding the option to cancel SHP due to a change in eligibility, however you should not wait for this notification before taking action.
    • You are eligible to cancel SHP coverage as soon as your leave of absence is effective and has been processed by the University Registrar. Alternatively, you can provide an approved leave of absence letter from your department or leave office.
    • You may submit a termination request prior to approval of your leave, but the effective date of your termination will not be prior to the effective date of your leave. The termination will be effective as of the last day of the month in which the request is made or the leave is effective, whichever is later.
  • If funding for your SHP coverage is provided by your department (i.e.: PhD students), your program may withdraw funding for your insurance premium. It is your responsibility to monitor your bursar account for charges and to pay the premium if you do not choose to cancel coverage.
  • SHP is not allowed to bursar bill students on leave of absence. All coverage continuations must be paid by credit/debit card. You must also submit the continuation form and proof of payment to the email listed on the form in order for your request to be processed.
  • You are eligible to cancel your coverage by submitting a termination request through Gallagher Student Health.
    • Prorated refunds for unused months of coverage will be based on the effective date of your termination request as described above. Terminations of coverage requested during the month in which coverage is set to end will not result in any refund. In addition, no refunds will be provided for terminations effective after April 30th of a given plan year.