Frequently Asked Questions

If you need to withdraw for medical reasons, you may be able to get a pro-rated refund. This is handled by the registrar’s office and you should reach out to them for more information.

However, some students also take out optional tuition insurance coverage in case they need to withdraw for medical reasons. MIT offers tuition insurance through GradGuard, a third-party vendor that works with the Institute.

This is absolutely optional, but some of our students do take advantage of the protection.

Plans can provide coverage for tuition and fees, including housing and dining charges if applicable. You are eligible for up to a 100% refund—depending upon the policy you choose—if you withdraw due to a medical reason including mental health conditions. Information on the tuition insurance plan is available at GradGuard.com/Tuition/MIT or by calling 1.877. 794.6603.

Please note: The deadline to enroll is the day before classes begin each semester.

If a student receiving federal financial aid (except Federal Work-Study) completely withdraws from classes before completing 60% of the term, we are required to determine how much of the financial aid was earned up to the time of withdrawal. Any federal funds considered as unearned must be returned by MIT and/or the student to the federal government. This situation could result in the student owing aid funds to MIT, the government, or both.

You are expected to complete your degree program without interruption.

If you’re granted a medical withdrawal or required to withdraw for a medical reason, you’re no longer registered for classes and no longer eligible to receive funding from or through MIT. This includes research or teaching assistantships. Under most circumstances, external fellowship funding is also suspended. You must contact your fellowship administrator for the applicable policy, since some fellowships pay stipends directly to students.

The Office of Graduate Education has general information on withdrawals and information on medical withdrawals.

If you plan to return to MIT, you must first contact Student Support Services. You must be current on all your student account and student loan obligations and you must file your financial aid renewal application by the deadline, even if this is prior to the readmission application.

On occasion, an undergraduate leaves MIT for a break, a change of direction or emphasis, or even to take advantage of educational, research, travel, or volunteer opportunities. Deciding whether to take a leave or stay—perhaps with a change in academic program—is a difficult decision. In addition to your parents and peers, there are people at MIT willing to discuss the issue with you.

Please contact Student Support Services for more information on leaves and for help.

Once we receive notification that you are no longer a student, we make the necessary adjustments to your student account and financial aid.