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SHP While on Leave of Absence (LOA) 2021-22

This page refers to leaves of absence with effective dates of 7/1/22 through 8/21/22. Please refer to the 2022-2023 LOA page for information on leaves of absence with effective dates on or after 8/22/22.

Student Health Plan (SHP) members who go on an approved Leave of Absence (LOA) during the academic year have the option to maintain, cancel, or extend their insurance coverage, depending on the date of their LOA. Student Health Plan Plus (SHP Plus) members may purchase SHP insurance during their LOA.

Special considerations while on Leave of Absence

  • 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.
  • You are eligible to cancel your coverage by submitting a termination request through Gallagher Student Health.
    • You may submit a termination request on or after SHP's knowledge of the leave date. For leave effective dates processed in the same plan year, the leave date is defined as the latter of the leave of absence effective date or the date on which the leave of absence is processed by the University Registrar. Please see Policy 7.3: Processing and Reporting Changes in Student Enrollment Status Under Title IV. The leave of absence effective date and processing date must be within the same plan year.
  • SHP will review registration status for students enrolled in SHP and periodically send notifications regarding eligibility to cancel SHP due to a change in eligibility, however you should not wait for this notification before taking action.
  • 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 Plus may not be maintained while on leave of absence. SHP Plus members are eligible to purchase SHP while on LOA. Email shp-medicaid@cornell.edu to discuss your options.
  • Your coverage will only remain in effect for the months of payment received.
  • SHP is not allowed to bursar bill students on leave of absence.

Fall 2021 Term Leave of Absence Date

You have a leave of absence date associated with the fall term and you are considered to be on leave of absence from that date until you return as a registered student.

You may choose to:

  • Maintain your SHP coverage through the end of the fall semester (January 31) [default if you do not take action]
  • Maintain your SHP coverage through the end of the plan year (through June 30) by completing the requested information in this continuation form. SHP will then invoice you for the amount due. If you do not pay the coverage invoice by March 31, 2022, your coverage will end on January 31.
  • Cancel your coverage without a cancellation fee by submitting a termination request through Gallagher Student Health. Indicate LOA as the reason.
    • Continuing students who begin a leave of absence between July 1 and August 31 will be responsible for the July and August premium even if the plan is canceled due to the submission of a termination request.
    • New students that never began their studies at Cornell will not be responsible for the July and August premium.
    • If you have a Fall term leave of absence effective date, but the leave was processed after the start of the spring term you were billed for spring SHP coverage. Only pro-rated spring charges will be refunded based on the submission date of your termination request.
  • Your leave of absence effective date must be associated with the Fall term. For leave of absences processed by the University registrar with an effective date for the spring or summer term, please see the appropriate spring or summer term leave of absence section.

Spring 2022 Term Leave of Absence Date Prior to 4/1/22

You have a leave of absence date in the spring term of 3/31/22 or earlier.  You are considered to be on leave of absence from that date until you return as a registered student.

You may choose to:

  • Maintain your coverage through the end of the plan year June 30th.
    • Reminder: Pay your bursar bill to prevent your account from being transferred to collections. There is a collection fee of $200, plus a $25 service charge in addition to finance charges of 1.25% per month on the unpaid balance.
    • If you have not been bursar billed for spring, you may maintain your SHP coverage through the end of the plan year (through June 30th) by completing the requested information in this continuation form. SHP will then invoice you for the amount due. If you do not pay the coverage invoice within 30 days, your coverage will end on January 31.
  • Cancel your coverage without a cancellation fee by submitting a termination request through Gallagher Student Health. Indicate LOA as the reason.
    • Your coverage will end the last day of the month that the termination request was submitted and you will receive a pro-rated refund.

Spring 2022 Term Leave of Absence Date 4/1/22 & Later

You have a leave of absence date in the spring term on or after 4/1/22 (based on the effective date, or the when recorded electronically by the registrar, whichever is later) and you are considered to be on leave of absence from that date until you return as a registered student.

  • Your SHP enrollment in SHP will end June 30th.
  • If you were term activated for the Fall 2022 term and enrolled and billed for SHP, your SHP coverage will be voided and the charges will be refunded to your bursar account.
  • You are eligible for a one-time 3-month coverage extension. You are not eligible for SHP for the upcoming academic year.

Summer 2022 Term Leave of Absence Date (5/22/22 - 8/21/22)

You have a leave of absence date associated with the summer term. Only students enrolled in credits for summer are considered to have a summer term leave of absence date.

  • Your SHP enrollment will end August 31st. [default if you do not take action]
  • Cancel your coverage without a cancellation fee by submitting a termination request through Gallagher Student Health. Indicate LOA as the reason.
    • Your coverage will end the last day of the month that the termination request was submitted and you will receive a pro-rated refund.
  • If you were term activated for the Fall term and enrolled and billed for SHP, your SHP coverage will be adjusted to end August 31st and you will receive a pro-rated refund for September through December.
  • You are eligible for a one-time 3-month coverage extension. You are not eligible for SHP for the upcoming academic year unless you return as a registered student.