This page offers information for undergraduates who will complete their degree requirements at the end of a fall term. Please note that students must petition the Committee on Honors and Academic Standing if they wish their final term of enrollment to be a fall term. For more information on that process, please review the subsection, Completion of the Degree Requirements, in the Yale College Programs of Study.
Fall-Term Degree Completion
Fall-Term Degree Completion
Fall-Term Degree Completion FAQs
Where do I find information about Yale College policies and procedures related to completion of degree requirements at the end of a fall term?
See Special Academic Arrangements - Completion of Degree Requirements at the End of the Fall Term in the Yale College Programs of Study.
How do I apply to complete my degree requirements at the end of a fall term?
Students wishing to complete their degree requirements at the end of a fall term must submit the following application by the course schedule deadline in their final term of enrollment: Petition to Complete Degree Requirements at the End of a Fall Term.
When will I receive my degree?
Students who complete degree requirements at the end of a fall term are awarded their degrees and their diplomas at Commencement at the conclusion of the spring term of that academic year and are considered to be members of the class that graduates at that Commencement. You may participate in Commencement exercises with that class, though if you have already “walked” at the prior year’s Commencement, you may not participate in the ceremony again. Shortly after Commencement, the Registrar will update your official transcript to show the date on which your degree was conferred. To have your diploma mailed to you, use the Yale Hub to enter a diploma mailing address (diplomas are usually mailed within six weeks). After degree conferral, contact the Yale Alumni Association if you wish to affiliate with a class other than the one with which you graduate for purposes of reunions and alumni relations.
When can my degree be verified for employment or graduate school application?
Yale College confers degrees once per year at May Commencement. Between December and May, students who complete their degree requirements early and seek documentation that they will receive their degree at the spring ceremony may request an official transcript, which will include a comment indicating the student has met their requirements and has qualified for the bachelor’s degree, but that the degree has not yet been conferred. A letter from the URO is available to explain why this is the case.
How does completing my degree requirements at the end of a fall semester affect my enrollment status in the spring term?
If you complete your degree requirements at the end of a fall semester, you are not eligible to enroll in the spring semester as a regular student or to receive financial aid. Your ID card will be deactivated, and you will lose access to Yale buildings and borrowing privileges at Yale Library.
How does my access to IT (Information Technology) resources change once I complete my degree requirements
See Graduating Students on the Student Technology website.
How does completing my degree requirements affect the repayment schedule for my student loans?
If you complete your degree requirements at the end of a fall term and you are a loan borrower, the last date of the fall term begins the typical six-month grace period before your loan goes into repayment. If it is an interest-bearing loan, you have an opportunity to pay off any accrued interest during this time to avoid capitalization. (Private loans and federal loans are subject to varying terms.) If you have additional questions and would like to speak with a financial aid counselor, schedule an appointment.
How does completing my degree requirements affect my visa status?
You must be enrolled as a full-time student to be in F-1 status. If you complete your degree requirements at the end of a fall semester, you are not eligible to enroll in the spring semester. For this reason, international Yale College students in F-1 status who complete their degree requirements at the end of a fall semester will have an I-20 (immigration document) with a program end date that corresponds to the last day of exams of that fall semester. If you intend to complete your degree requirements at the end of a fall semester and if your current I-20 end date does not correspond to the last day of exams in that fall semester, please contact your designated OISS adviser.
If you wish to remain in the U.S. and gain practical experience post-graduation beyond the fall semester, you should apply for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). You can start working in the U.S. using OPT in the Spring semester preceding the completion of your degree requirements. More information about OPT can be found on the OISS website.
Am I eligible for a student job during the spring term?
Since you are no longer an active student, you are no longer eligible for a student job. You can work as a temporary employee by viewing open positions at Work at Yale.
May I maintain on-campus housing through the spring term?
No, once a student has completed their degree, they are no longer eligible for on-campus housing in the residential colleges or other on-campus housing.
Will I need to completely vacate my room?
Yes, students who have completed their degree during a fall term must remove all their belongings from their rooms and check out of their on-campus housing via the housing portal.
Will I be able to store belongings in my residential college?
No, students who have completed their degree during a fall term may not store belongings in their residential college or other on-campus facilities.