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Instructions for Re-entry

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

Leaves of Absence

Please refer to the Graduate College Handbook for the Leave of Absence policy. 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 re-entry approval.
  • 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.

Re-Entry to the Graduate College

Re-Entry approval is required if you have not been enrolled in the last calendar year*.

Re-Entry to Previous Department Requests

  • Students requesting re-entry and to enroll in their previous department may be allowed to apply for re-entry via the petition process. Some departments require students to complete a full application with all required materials; however, the application fee will be waived for these students. Students should contact their department for instructions. Re-entry must be first approved by the department and then the Graduate College.

Re-Entry + Admission to New Department Requests

  • Students requesting re-entry and to enroll in a new graduate department must submit a full graduate application with all required application materials and an application fee. Re-entry must be approved first by the new proposed program of study and then the Graduate College.

All Re-Entry Requests

  • Regardless of the re-entry process used, the Graduate College will reassess a student’s residency status for tuition and assessment purposes upon re-entry.
  • If a student has attended another postsecondary institution since their last enrollment term, they will be required to provide this information and submit official transcripts from any degree-granting institution.
  • International students requesting an I-20 or DS-2019 will need to submit the Declaration & Certification of Finances Form, along with the appropriate funding documentation.
  • If your Time to Degree/Expected Graduation Date has expired, you will need to also petition for a Time Extension at the time of re-entry.
  • For those approved for re-entry, you can visit our Re-Entry Quick Guide for a list of 10 essential steps to help you get everything in place.

*International students needing a new I-20 after not being registered for one fall or spring semester should contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for assistance.

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.