This policy pertains to military service members who are unable to attend classes for more than 30 consecutive days and service members who are unable to attend classes for less than 30 days when such an absence would result in a withdrawal from the University.

Boston University will promptly readmit service members seeking readmission when an interruption in enrollment occurs due to a uniformed service obligation, in accordance with federal regulations, 34 C.F.R. § 668.18 and the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Service members who receive a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge are not eligible for readmission.

 Service Member Eligibility

Students may qualify for readmission under this policy if, during the absence, they perform uniformed service, voluntary or involuntary, in the Armed Forces, including the National Guard or Reserve, active duty, active duty for training or full-time National Guard (if under federal authority). The cumulative length of all absences for uniformed service (service time only) cannot exceed five years.

Student Obligations

  • Must provide orders or written notice by Commanding Officer, of a Uniformed Service Obligation, such as Temporary Duty (TDY), etc., to the Office of the University Registrar or program registrar’s office as far in advance as possible.
    • If military necessity, such as service in operations that are classified or would be compromised by such notice, this notification need not be given.
    • An indication of when the student is expected to return to BU is not required.
  • Students must provide notification of Intent to Return within specified time periods. If they do not, they may still apply for readmission under standard Boston University readmission policies.
    • Students must notify the Office of the University Registrar or program registrar’s office orally or in writing of Intent to Return and provide supporting official military obligation documentation within three years of the completion of the service absence.
    • Students must notify the Office of the University Registrar or program registrar’s office orally or in writing of Intent to Return and provide supporting official military obligation documentation within two years after the end of the period needed to recover from an illness or injury if the student was hospitalized or convalescing due to an illness incurred or aggravated during the performance of service.

Tuition and Fees

  • If the student is readmitted to the same program, Boston University will assess the tuition and fee charges that would have been assessed for the academic year during which the student left (first academic year only). However, if veteran’s or other service member education benefits will pay the current/higher tuition and fee rates charged to other students in the program for the year, Boston University will invoice the student at the current rate.

Readmission

Readmitted students will be reenrolled with the same enrollment status, number of completed credit hours, and academic standing as the last academic year of attendance.

  • Readmitted students will be allowed to reenroll in the next class(es) scheduled in the same academic program they were in unless they request a later date of reenrollment or agree to a different program. Readmitted students will be enrolled into the same academic program/plan they were enrolled in prior to the military service obligation. If the exact program no longer exists, they must be admitted to the program that is most similar, unless they request or agree to admission in a different program/plan.