Graduate Student Academic Services (GSAS)

Instructions for Re-entry

Follow these instructions if you have previously enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Leaves of Absence

There are no formal leaves of absence for graduate students. It is advisable for graduate students who want to interrupt their programs to work closely with their advisors and other appropriate department staff to make arrangements for the interruption.

Please note that:

Graduate students who have not been registered for more than one year at the Urbana campus cannot register without an approved petition for re-entry.
- These students are not eligible to register whether the degree program remains the same or is different.
Any lapse in registration may result in the loss of the full-tuition-waiver privileges that may have previously accompanied a particular student's assistantship appointments.
Whether leaving for one or more terms, a student with educational loans should consult the Financial Aid Office and/or the lender before terminating student status.
International students who are F-1 or J-1 Visa Holders leaving campus are required to secure clearance from the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).

Please see the requirements below and contact your program of study office for further information regarding re-entry requirements.

Returning to a Graduate Program

If you have not been enrolled in the last calendar year*, and want to re-enter in your current program of study:

Petition the Graduate College for re-entry.
Complete the Re-entry Data Form (PDF).
International students only -
Submit the International Student Verification Form (PDF).
International students with F-1 and J-1 Student Visas only -
Submit a new Declaration & Certification of Finances Form (PDF), along with the appropriate funding documentation.

* International students are required to petition for re-entry if not registered for one fall or spring semester.

Entering a New Graduate Program after Previous Enrollment

If you were not enrolled the previous semester, and want to re-enter in a new program of study:

Submit one petition that includes two requests - a) to change curriculum and b) to re-enter.
Complete the Graduate Student Re-entry Data Form (PDF).
International students only -
Submit the International Student Verification Form (PDF).
International students with F-1 and J-1 Student Visas only -
Submit a new Declaration & Certification of Finances Form (PDF), along with the appropriate funding documentation.

OR if you have been enrolled in the last calendar year, and want to re-enter in a new program of study:

Petition the Graduate College to change curriculum. Contact both your new and current program of study office for additional information about changing to a new program of study.

Individuals with Disabilities

These instructions require the use of downloadable PDF forms. For alternative formats of these documents, please contact our office at 217-244-4637 or the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services at 217-333-4602 V/TTY.

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