Dear Parents and Families,

We and many others in the Tufts community look forward to welcoming new and returning students to the Medford/Somerville and Fenway campuses this fall. We are writing today to provide important information about Tuition Insurance. Although Tuition Insurance is optional, we highly recommend that all students and families enroll.

The cost of higher education is substantial, and it can be difficult to think about adding any additional costs into your budget. Tuition insurance is meant to safeguard your financial commitment should an unexpected health concern mean that your Tufts student takes a medical leave of absence this year.

Every year, college students around the country navigate many physical or mental health challenges, and some students unexpectedly take time away from their studies. 

At Tufts, both Student Life and Health and Wellness work closely with students whose health issues may significantly impact their ability to complete a semester. Reasons for a medical leave vary and can stem from a concussion, a prolonged bout of mononucleosis, depression or anxiety, or many other health-related conditions beyond one's control. The University provides a graded tuition refund for all medical leaves taken at the beginning of each semester. Beyond the first six weeks of each term, a student who takes a medical leave without tuition insurance forfeits a substantial portion or the entirety of the payments made toward that semester's tuition. Tufts is pleased to share information about the Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) administered by A.W.G. Dewar, Inc.

Coverage can also be purchased per semester or annually. The annual premiums covering both the Fall 2024 and the Spring 2025 semesters are:

$676 covering tuition, room, and board

$532 covering tuition only

$676 Tufts Study Abroad Programs

Please see the Coverage and Application links on Dewar’s website for complete details of coverage. 

The TRP works in concert with the Tufts University refund policy as published in the University Bulletin and website. TRP subscribers are eligible for a 75% refund of insured fees throughout the term even though the University refund schedule may have expired at the time of withdrawal. For withdrawals occurring during the first six weeks of the semester, the TRP benefits are coordinated with and reduced by the University's refund policy.

Participation in the Tuition Refund Plan is entirely optional, but we strongly encourage you to consider enrolling. If you wish to enroll, you must submit the application (see Get a Quote page) and payment by the first day of classes: September 3, 2024 for the fall semester and January 15, 2025 for the spring semester. Applications will not be accepted after these dates. All questions can be directed to Dewar at 617-774-1555.

Thank you for your consideration and best wishes for an enjoyable rest of your summer. 

Sincerely,

Camille Lizarribar, JD, PhD
Dean of Students and Chief Student Life Officer for AS&E

Sonya Satinsky, PhD, MPH
Executive Director, Health and Wellness