Financial Aid

While on academic leave, you will be reported as enrolled at MHC. Some of your financial aid may travel with you for your study away.

Federal Aid
Any student approved for academic leave of absence may use the federal aid (and sometimes state and other outside aid) for which she is eligible, regardless of whether she has been awarded a Laurel Fellowship/Mount Holyoke aid (see below). Federal Direct Student Loans and Pell Grants generally travel with the student to a new institution; consult with Student Financial Services for details. Students who expect to use federal or other outside aid toward their programs must submit a Disbursement Form and have their host program submit a Consortium Agreement to Student Financial Services. See “Processing Funds for Study Abroad” for further instructions and required forms (procedures are the same for US study as for study abroad).

Mount Holyoke Aid
Mount Holyoke financial aid does not travel with you to other institutions, but students on financial aid whose own resources are not sufficient to cover the cost of study abroad or one of the designated U.S. programs or exchanges (Twelve College Exchange, American University Washington Semester Program, Semester in Environmental Science at the MBL) may apply for the Laurel Fellowships for Off-Campus Study. These fellowships are awarded on a limited and competitive basis. See the Center for Global Initiatives website for detailed information about eligibility and application procedures. Mount Holyoke Leadership Awards and employment-based aid (such as tuition exchange) do not travel, but students who would be eligible for need-based aid if they were not receiving these awards may apply for Laurel Fellowships.

Aid for Your Return
While on leave, you should apply for financial aid for the academic year you plan to return according to published deadlines. Late applications may receive more assistance from loan sources and less grant funding than applications that are submitted on time (May 1 for all documents and online applications for the next academic year).

Outstanding Bills
Students with past due balances will not be able to order transcripts, participate in room draw, or register on line. In addition, late fees will be assessed each month on past due balances. Students with significant past due balances will not be approved to return to Mount Holyoke until the balance is paid in full.

Vist Student Financial Services online. Questions or concerns should be addressed by calling  413-538-2291 or by email to Student Financial Services.

What you may need to do to if you are going on academic leave:

1. Submit a consortium agreement for program costs for each program attended.
2. Complete loan applications (if applicable), and notify outside award organizations to send funds to MHC.
3. Submit a Refund Request form to alert us about where financial aid funds should be deposited. No funds will be disbursed without the completed form.
4. Decide if you will need Mount Holyoke student medical insurance. Students on leave are not billed for student medical insurance as most study away programs have medical insurance coverage as part of the program fee. Students will be billed for medical insurance upon their return to campus. Students who need MHC's student medical insurance while away should contact Student Financial Services to make sure they are billed. Domestic students will be responsible for covering the medical insurance fee. International students should contact SFS to determine eligibility for grant coverage.
5. Meet with Student Financial Services to make sure everything is in place for your leave.