Frequently Asked Questions for the Office of the Registrar
General
What is the Academic Calendar and where I can find it?
The Academic Calendar displays important dates within the semester (start of term, registration, campus closures, end of term, etc.). It can be found on the Office of the Registrar's webpage under Academic Calendar. Dates are subject to change without prior notification so continue to check the college website for the latest information.
What is CUNYfirst?
CUNY’s Fully Integrated Resources & Services Tool, known officially as CUNYfirst, is the enterprise resource solution that allows CUNY students to move seamlessly through any and all CUNY campuses as they pursue their higher education careers as well as connecting faculty and staff to tools to support their processes.
New student users can activate their CUNYfirst account by logging onto the York College website and select "Logins" on the top right corner. Select the "CUNYfirst" tile under Quick Links. Then select "New User" under CUNY Login Account Management and begin the activation process.
How do I update my contact information in CUNYfirst?
Students can view and update some of their information (Preferred Name, Other/Preferred Email, Home/Business Phone, Home/Mailing/Business Address, Emergency Contacts, Ethnicity) directly using their CUNYfirst Student Center. Click on the Profile tile in Student Center, then click the appropriate link to update.
Some details such as legal name change, SSN update, and Permanent Address cannot be updated directly by the student in CUNYfirst. For such changes an applicable Registrar form, supporting documentation and photo identification must be uploaded to the York College Registrar Portal. The Office of the Registrar will update CUNYfirst within a few business days after the completed application is received.
Schedule Builder is a real-time class scheduling tool that enables students to plan and register for courses that meet their requirements and other needs. With this tool, students can easily arrange class schedules that fit their personal and academic lives.
What is DegreeWorks?
DegreeWorks is a web-based academic advisement and degree audit program. DegreeWorks generates an easy to read degree audit that applies courses from a student's transcript directly to DegreeWorks to fulfill degree requirements for a student's general education, writing intensive, major, and minor as defined in the college bulletin. It is recommended that a student check their DegreeWorks audit monthly due to updating of records.
Who do I contact if there is an issue with DegreeWorks?
To submit questions about DegreeWorks or report any issues experienced with DegreeWorks, visit the York College DegreeWorks support webpage or send an email to degreeworks@york.cuny.edu.
Unoffical transcripts can be downloaded using the CUNYfirst Student Center. In Student Center, click on the Transcript and Verification tile. Click the Submit button. Click on the View All Requested Reports tab/page. Check off the box that shows a Request Date of today, then click on the View Report button. Pop-ups must be enabled on the browser to open any PDF from CUNYfirst.
Students may request an official enrollment verification letter with a signature and official college seal from the Office of the Registrar during In Person office hours. Students may also email our office at registrar@york.cuny.edu if unable to come into the office to request an enrollment verification letter. When making the request via email include your full name, CUNYfirst emplid# and attach a valid photo ID (ex: driver's license). Also include where the letter should be sent, whether to an official business email address or mailed to the student's home address.
Students can also download an unofficial letter in their CUNYfirst Student Center. In Student Center, click on the Transcript and Verification tile. Click on the Enrollment Verification link on the left, choose York College within the Academic Institution field. Select each check box for specified additional information to be included on the letter. Select the desired term, then click the Submit button. This letter is not official since it will not have the college seal or the signature of the Registrar.
Declaration of Major/Minor
How do I declare a major?
Students should complete the Declaration of Major Form located on the Office of the Registrar’s webpage under Forms. Once completed, the student must upload the form along with a valid photo ID to the Registrar’s Office secure portal.
Do I have to declare a major?
Students are required to declare a major before completing 60 credits. To help keep students on track, the Registrar’s Office will place a MAJ hold on a student’s record once they have completed 60 credits or are expected to reach 60 credits by the end of the term.
A MAJ hold will prevent students from adding or swapping courses during registration; however, they will still be able to drop courses if needed.
To have the MAJ hold removed, students should submit a Declaration of Major Form along with a valid photo ID through the Registrar’s Office secure portal. Once the form is received, the Registrar’s Office will promptly release the hold.
Students are encouraged to declare a major as soon as possible, as failing to do so after reaching 60 credits may have an adverse impact on their financial aid eligibility.
Do I need to be enrolled in a Fully Online degree program to take classes online?
No. Some York College programs are offered in both a standard degree format and a fully online degree format. While both lead to the same academic credential, they provide different levels of flexibility.
A fully online degree is designed for students who cannot attend any courses in person. As such, students are limited in the courses they can take either synchronously or asynchronously.
A standard degree gives students the greatest flexibility. Students in the standard degree can take as many online courses as they wish when available, while also having the option to enroll in in-person classes. This allows students to build a schedule that best fits their needs without limiting them to a fully online pathway.
If the goal is simply to take classes online, students have that opportunity without declaring an online major. Students should declare an online degree program only if they cannot attend any courses in person.
The most important decision is choosing the degree that is the right fit. Once the program is selected, the student can work with an advisor to explore the online course options available and build a schedule that fits their lifestyle.
ePermit facilitates the process of matriculated CUNY students obtaining permission from York College (the Home College) to register for courses offered at other CUNY College (Host Campus). In order to receive permission from their Home College, a student must meet certain requirements for eligibility. The ePermit application is accessible through the student's CUNYfirst account.
Please note that approval of an ePermit by the Home College does not automatically register a student for a course nor does issuance of an ePermit guarantee enrollment at the Host College. Once approved, the student must register directly through their Schedule Builder at the time of the assigned enrollment appointment of the Host College.
What are the requirements to apply for an ePermit?
Students must currently be matriculated at York College with all immunization requirements met.
Students must have a cumulative and major GPA of 2.0 or above.
Students must not have any negative service indicators on their records. (This includes Advisement and Bursar holds.)
Students must have completed any required prerequisites for the York College equivalent course.
Students must have completed one full semester at York College unless the student is CUNY BA, Macaulay Honor or ROTC student.
No, an ePermit can only be applied for once enrollment has been made available at York College. The ePermit application process closes seven days before classes begin for the semester. If students have any questions or concerns contact the Office of the Registrar ePermit Unit at epermit@york.cuny.edu.
Does an ePermit only apply to CUNY schools? Can I take an ePermit at a Non-CUNY school?
Yes, an ePermit only applies to CUNY Colleges. However, a student can apply for a Non CUNY permit by contacting the ePermit Unit at epermit@york.cuny.edu or by going to York College Office of the Registrar Forms webpage to download the Application to Attend a Non-CUNY Institution. The back of the application has the eligibility requirements needed to apply.
Click on the “Browse Course Catalog” and select “ePermit”.
From the ePermit drop down click on “Add ePermit with Equiv Courses”. Then select “York College”
In the Search for Courses fieldenter the Course and Course Number (example Accounting 101 or ACC 101) at York College you want to take on ePermit. Then click Enter.
Click on the desired course and course number.
Click on “fetchequivalentCUNYcourses” to search for the equivalent courses across CUNY campuses.
Review the listing of Host campuses before selecting ONE Host campus.
Then select the Host Term, Host Session and in the Request ePermit slide the bar from No to a Yes.
Once you have your selection click on “apply for ePermit” located at the top right of the page to begin the application request process.
The application page will appear and you will need to select the "Permit Type" from the drop down. Please review how the course will fulfill your degree requirement in Degree Works. Then select your ePermit type from the below options. - CUNY Baccalaureate-students are in an individualized program within CUNY - Major Elective- a course that fulfills the students major/minor requirement - General Elective- a course that does not fulfill the student Pathways or major/minor requirement, but may fulfill general elective requirements - Pathways College Option-course used to fulfill the general education requirement - Pathways Flexible Core-course used to fulfill the general education requirement - Pathways Required Core-course used to fulfill the general education requirement - Study Abroad-a course taken through the Host College at a foreign institution
In the Comments field, the student can leave a message for the ePermit Unit. This field is optional.
Then click “Submit” at the top right-hand side of the application.
After submission, refresh and go to My ePermits. Slide the view permits from N to Y. The permit status will change to Initiated.
ePermit status will be updated with a decision from York College’s ePermit Unit. Please be aware that during high volume periods processing may be delayed. Periodically log into your CUNYfirst account to check the status of the ePermit.
Additional Information:
The host campus will assign your enrollment appointment in your CUNYfirst Student Center account. If you do not receive a communication or are unable to view your enrollment appointment, it will be necessary for you to contact the Host Campus ePermit Unit.
If you are unable to enroll for the approved course once you have been granted permission to register by the Host campus you will need to contact the Host campus ePermit Unit for assistance.
To communicate with the ePermit Unit at York College you can send an email to epermit@york.cuny.edu from your York or CUNY email and include your First and Last Name along with your CUNYfirst emplid#. Emails are responded to in the order in which they are received.
How can I check the status of my ePermit after I have applied?
Go to your “Student Center” and click on the “Course Planning and Enrollment” tile
Select ePermit (from the menu on the left)
Go to “My ePermit” in the left navigation, then click on the slide bar of the Term and York College
Select “Search ePermit”
All ePermit applications for the selected term will display with status and decision
Click on the course you’d like to review the status
Select “Continue”
The ePermit application will appear and a comment from the ePermit Unit at York College will be noted in the eRegistrar Comments field.
If the status has been updated to “Approved” click on the radio button in the left column to review the decision. The decision will contain the course equivalent at York College and the credits that will transfer upon completion. If approved at the host campus they will assign your enrollment appointment in your CUNYfirst Student Center account. If you do not receive a communication or unable to view your enrollment appointment, it will be necessary for you to contact the Host Campus ePermit Unit.
If the status has been updated to “Denied” click on the radio button in the left column next to review the decision, read the comments, make the correction and resubmit another application.
How do I register for an ePermit I was approved for?
The student should receive notification via their enrollment appointment in the CUNYfirst Student Center account from the Host campus. If the student has not received notification within 5 business days after an approval from York College the student should inquire at the Host College. To register for the course just go into your CUNYfirst -Student Center-Scheduler Builder and register the same way you do at York College except the host campus must be the enter in the institution field.
If I have a hold on my record can I apply for an ePermit?
If there is a negative service indicator (Stop or Hold) on your record, the ePermit will be denied and instructed on what to do to clear the stop or hold with the office that placed it on your record. You will have to request the office that placed the hold to remove the hold from your record before you can re-apply for the ePermit.
How many courses can I take on ePermit?
There is no limit to the number of ePermits a student may take. Students can take a combination of both ePermit and York College courses up to the maximum of 18 credits for Spring and Fall and a maximum of 6 credits per session for Winter and Summer. Any student wishing to exceed the maximum credits for a particular term/session must petition the Committee on Academic Policy and Standards(CAPS) to obtain permission for excess credits.
Can I repeat a course on ePermit?
Courses can be repeated. A course on ePermit, will only receive credit for the course once. Both grades are calculated in the student's GPA.
However, to qualify for CUNY’s Forgiveness (F grade) policy the repeated course must be taken at the same college in which the original course was failed. For example, a student who fails ENG 125 at York College, must retake ENG 125 at York College and earn a grade of “C” or better to qualify. If ENG 125 was failed at York College and retaken, the transfer equivalent of ENG 125, on ePermit at another CUNY school then it will not qualify for the CUNY F Grade Policy; the failing grade will continue to calculate towards their cumulative GPA at York College.
Which school do I pay the tuition to for an ePermit?
Payments for the tuition of the ePermit course is made to the Home College (York), NOT the Host College. York College will add a billing code (PERM) to the enrollment to reflect the amount of credits of the ePermit course at the Host College ( ex: PERM 3 is for a 3-credit course). Courses for which material fees are applied or any late registration fees for enrollment are charged, and must be paid by the student to the Host College. Students eligible for Financial Aid are to apply through their Home College (York) and are responsible for meeting any credit load requirement.
How can I cancel an ePermit course?
To make sure you are not billed for courses you do not intend to take, please drop them prior to the first day of the term/session. In order to successfully cancel an ePermit course, students must drop the course at the host campus, cancel the ePermit via CUNYfirst and allow the ePermit Unit at York College three business days to process the cancellation. If the student remain enrolled and the ePermit Unit at York College is unable to cancel the ePermit you may incur a bill.
Go to your “Student Center” and click on the “Course Planning and Enrollment” tile
Select “ePermit” (from the menu on the left)
Select “My ePermits”
The Term (Summer, Fall or Spring and Academic Year) and York College will appear. Change the view permits from N to Y. Then select the ePermit you want to cancel.
Then select the ePermit that you wish to cancel then click on Cancel ePermit
At the top right of the form click on CANCEL.
The ePermit will be cancelled and the ePermit Unit will receive notification to process the cancellation. The cancellation can take up to three business days to process.
If I am having a problem with ePermit who can I contact?
If you are having trouble with an epermit, please email the ePermit Unit at epermit@york.cuny.edu or connect with one of our representatives during Registrar office hours.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
What does FERPA stand for?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) also known as, the Buckley Amendment is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate and misleading data through informal and formal hearings. The Act applies to all institutions that are recipients of federal aid administered by the Secretary of Education. Students who are currently enrolled or formerly enrolled regardless of their age or financial dependency status are protected under FERPA. For more information, read the CUNY FERPA Notification to Students.
What is directory information?
Directory information can be defined as the following: student's name, attendance dates, home address, present address, email address, phone listing, date and place of birth, photograph, status (full/part-time and or undergraduate/graduate), degree program, credits completed, major, student activities and sports, previous school attended, and degrees, honors and awards received. This information may be released to anyone unless restricted by the written authorization of the student. If you wish to restrict this information, please complete the CUNY Directory Information Non-Disclosure Form located on the Office of the Registrar’s webpage under the Forms tab.
What can I do to prevent my directory information from being released?
Students who wish to keep their directory information from being released must fill out the CUNY Directory Information Non-Disclosure Form. By filling out this form, you may request that any or all directory information not be released without your prior written consent. You can submit this form to the Office of the Registrar via the document upload.
If I would like a parent, spouse, and or family member to have access to my record, what form
should I fill out?
If students wish to provide other individuals access to their record, the student must complete the FERPA Authorization Form and upload the form along with photo identification to the Office of the Registrar portal. The person the student is providing access to must provide proper photo identification upon requesting information.
If I am a parent of a college student, do I have the right to see my child's education records,
especially if I pay the bill?
The rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student, once the student turns 18 years old or enters a postsecondary institution at any age. However, although the rights under FERPA have now transferred to the student, a school may disclose information from an "eligible student's" education records to the parents of the student, without the student's consent, if the student is a dependent for tax purposes. Neither the age of the student nor the parent's status as a custodial parent is relevant. If a student is claimed as a dependent by either parent for tax purposes, then either parent may have access under this provision.
What if my child is a minor and he or she is taking classes at a local college while still in high school,
do I have rights?
If a student is attending a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA have transferred to the student. However, in a situation where a student is enrolled in both a high school and a post-secondary institution (i.e. College Now and York Early College Academy students), the two schools may exchange information on that student. If the student is under 18, the parents still retain the rights under FERPA at the high school and may inspect and review any records sent by the postsecondary institution to the high school.
What if I want to give an employer, a parent, or third party access to my record?
Can College Officials disclose part(s) of my record without my consent? If yes, under what circumstances.
There are several exceptions to FERPA's general prior consent rule that are set forth. One exception is the disclosure of "directory information" if the school follows certain procedures set forth in FERPA. Under section § 99.31 of FERPA, students are able to review the various exceptions/ circumstances as per FERPA regulations.
What should I do if I notice any discrepancies in my student record?
If there are any discrepancies with the student's file, the student may ask the college to amend their record. Students should submit to the Registrar, Dean, Head of the Academic Department, or other appropriate officials, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. If the records are not maintained by the college official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
All requests shall be granted or denied in writing within 45 days of receipt. If the request is granted, you will be notified of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the request is denied or not responded to within 45 days, you may appeal to the college's FERPA appeals officer. Additional information regarding the appeals procedures will be provided to you if a request is denied.
Who should I contact if I have any questions or concerns?
Students are required to apply for graduation on CUNYfirst one semester prior to their expected final semester. See the College Academic Calendar PDF for exact application deadline date. Students should seek advisement from their major department prior to applying for graduation, in order to ensure that they have fulfilled the required courses for their major and are using the correct College Bulletin.
How many credits do I need in order to apply for graduation?
In order to apply for graduation, undergraduate students must have completed a minimum of 90 credits (Senior). Within 2 weeks of the end of every semester, all new seniors are made eligible to apply online for graduation.
Graduate level students will be able to apply once they have completed more than half of their program (students in the MSW accelerated cohort must apply within a few months of admission).
How do I apply for graduation?
Students can apply for graduation on CUNYfirst via their Student Center following the steps below:
Step 1: Sign your CUNYfirst account and select the "Student Center" tile.
Step 2: Scroll down to select the "Graduation and Transcript" tile.
Step 3: A) Click on the Application for Graduation link on the left hand side menu. B) Scroll down to York College and the applicable section that lists your current major. Click on the "No" radio button so that is it changes to an organge "Yes". C) Click on the black "Apply” button.
Step 4: The Application for Graduation page will display any Expected Graduation Terms that are currently available. You will click the Next button in the upper righthand corner to navigate through these screens and review your information (Primary Name, Home Address, Email/Phone).
Note: The application does not allow you to edit any of your address or contact information on the page. If you notice that any information displayed is incorrect, you must correct it directly on your Student Center Profile after submitting the graduation application.
Step 5 A) Click on the arrow to the right of your Primary Name. A small window will pop up to show you your full Primary Name as it appears on your record. Unless otherwise directed, the diploma will be ordered using the graduate’s full Primary Name as it appears in CUNYfirst at the time of the order, including any middle initial/name and suffix (if listed).
Students who wish to change their last name must complete a Personal Data Change Request form and upload the completed form along with photo ID and supporting documentation displaying the legal name to the Office of the Registrar document upload so that the Office of the Registrar can change the Primary Name in CUNYfirst. Click on the Next button to get to Step 3 of the application if the Primary Name on file is acceptable. If it is not, follow the instructions below.
B) [OPTIONAL] Students who wish to use a different first and/or middle name instead of their Primary Name on file, should click the + button near the center of the page on Step 2 to adda Diploma Name. Potential graduates will have the ability to add/alter their Diploma Name in their CUNYfirst Student Center Profile section up until the conferral date.Students will not be able to modify their Diploma Name once the degree has been conferred onto the transcript.
The Diploma Name does not allow a student to change their last name. A Personal Data Change Request form (along with photo ID and supporting documentation displaying the legal name) is required to request that the Office of the Registrar change a student’s last name in CUNYfirst.
Circumstances under which a student may want to avoid the use of a Diploma Name are:
Students in professional programs with licensure may wish to avoid use of a Diploma Name that differs from the Legal Name.
Students who intend to live, work or study outside the United States may want to exercise caution in the use of a Diploma Name, as the diploma is often used as the official document in other countries. Diploma apostille (certified copy of the diploma) can only be provided when using the student’s Legal Name.
Step 6 Click the Next button in the upper righthand corner to navigate through the Address and Email/Phone screens to review your contact information. The Home Address, Preferred Email Address and Preferred Phone number will be provided to the diploma vendor.
Note: The application does not allow you to edit any of your address or contact information on this page. If you notice that any information displayed is incorrect, you must correct it directly on your Student Center Profile after submitting the graduation application.
If any of your contact information was incorrect, go to your Student Center Profile to update. The diploma is shipped to a student’s Home address on file.
Step 7: Click the Black “Submit” button in the upper righthand corner to submit the application. A small dialog box will appear to confirm the submission. Click the “Yes” button to officially submit your application for graduation.
Once you have submitted your application, the Application for Graduation page will now show that you have Applied for Graduation. (A student’s status will remain as Applied until the Degree has been Awarded, unless they do not qualify and the application is Denied.)
What happens after I apply for graduation?
After you successfully submit your application for graduation, the Office of the Registrar will review your York College transcript and DegreeWorks audit to identify your outstanding degree requirements. This Graduation Checklist will be emailed to your York email account prior to the start of this applied term. In the event that you applied on time and have not received this Graduation Audit prior to the start of your final term, please contact the Graduation Unit in the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu. You should consult your major department if you need assistance with advisement.
What are the degree requirements for my major?
The degree requirements are listed in the York College Bulletin (Undergraduate and Graduate) which is available online. You may also access your degree requirements on Degree Works (the student advisement audit system through the CUNYfirst "Student Center"). Bulletins begin in the fall semester and end in the spring semester. Students who become matriculated in the summer term must follow the fall catalog of that year.
The General Education and Writing Intensive requirements are taken from the bulletin which is in effect at the time of matriculation if enrollment was continuous without any break in attendance. The requirements for your Major are taken from the bulletin which is in effect at the time the major was declared if enrollment was continuous without any break in attendance.
What is the Major Residency requirement?
At least half of the credits of most* major programs must be taken at York College. (*Exceptions include: Accounting-BBA and Accounting-BS which require 15 credits in Accounting courses to be taken at York, Finance which states 15 credits in Finance courses at York, and Nursing majors which states 25 credits in Nursing courses at York.)
What is the College Residency requirement?
Students are required to complete at least 40 credits at York College for residency. To graduate with honors, at least 56 credits must be taken at York College.
How many Liberal Arts credits are required for graduation?
To earn Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Business Administration degrees, students are required to complete 30 credits in Liberal Arts courses. To earn a Bachelor of Science degree, students are required to complete 60 credits in Liberal Arts courses. To earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, students are required to complete 90 credits in Liberal Arts courses.
This is a New York State Education Department requirement that MUST be completed.
What GPA is required for graduation?
Most majors require a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 for major and overall GPA. Clinical Laboratory Science majors require a 2.5 GPA. Social Work majors require a 2.7 GPA. Occupational Therapy, Public Health, all Teacher Education majors, and all Graduate-level programs require a 3.0 GPA.
What grade point average (GPA) does an undergraduate need in order to graduate with honors?
Cum Laude: 3.500 - 3.699. Magna Cum Laude: 3.700 - 3.849. Summa Cum Laude: 3.850 - 4.000.
Students must meet the College's residency requirement of 56 credits to be eligible for these Latin Honors.
Computation of Graduation Honors will be based on all grades of A+ through F, NC, R, FIN, applicable WU grades and all failing grades will be calculated as F grades, including repeated courses with the Exclude Credit and GPA repeat code (CUNY F-grade policy).
How many majors and minors can I declare?
There is a limit of two majors and/or minors a student can declare. However, a course cannot be used to complete two different requirements (major/minor). For example, an Aviation Management major could not complete a Business Administration minor because each requires BUS 201, BUS 283, ECON 102, ECON 103. If a student chooses to major in disciplines offering different types of degree (for example History [BA] and Biology [BS]), the student will only earn one degree based on their primary major.
Additionally, minors and secondary majors are optional. Students are NOT required to declare a minor or secondary major to earn a bachelor’s degree at York College. Courses taken to complete them may not count as eligible towards a student’s full-time course load for NY State Financial Aid (TAP/PTAP/Excelsior).
Can I earn two degrees at the same time?
No. Students with more than one declared major will only earn one degree based on their primary major. Occupational Therapy is the only dual degree program offered by York College in which graduates will receive two degrees (Bachelor of Science and Master of Science).
Will the diploma show my major?
Bachelor's diplomas do not show the major, only the degree type. The transcript will display any declared major(s) and minor(s). Master's diplomas will show the major and the degree type.
The degree requirements have changed since I entered the York College. Will that affect my graduation?
Possibly. If a student stops attending the college for more than one consecutive semester, that student will be required to follow the current bulletin for Pathways General Education requirements upon readmission. If a student stops attending the college for more than two consecutive semesters that student will also be required to follow the current bulletin for major requirements upon readmission. Continuing students who have not missed any semesters can continue to follow the bulletin for the academic year in which they declared their major and were matriculated.
How many credits do I need to earn a degree at York?
Undergraduate students are required to complete a minimum of 120 credits for a Bachelor's degree. Waivers of courses do not release students from acquiring the total number of credits required to earn a degree. Students in the Accounting and Finance CPA licensure program are required to complete 150 credits.
Graduate students must complete all required courses. Aviation (MS) 30 credits; Clinical Trial Management 36 credits; Nursing Education 45 credits; Pharmaceutical Science and Business 36 credits; Physician Assistant 87 credits; Social Work (1-year Accelerated) 36 credits, Social Work (2-year program) 62 credits.
Is it possible for me to graduate prior to completing the courses required by my declared major or minor?
No, All degree requirements for All declared majors and minors must be completed to qualify for a degree conferral.
Can I graduate if I have a temporary grade (INC/PEN) grade on my record?
No, students cannot graduate with a temporary grade on their record (INC/PEN). The graduation term would be postponed to the following term if the final grade is not received prior to the conferral date.
If the department has not submitted a grade change by the deadline reflected on the Academic Calendar PDF then the grade will lapse into a failing grade (FIN), which will affect the cumulative GPA and may negatively impact eligibility for graduation. A student’s conferral date cannot be assigned retroactively. Such students will be conferred at the end of the next term.
Can I graduate without the posting of my ePermit course?
No. All grades must be received for any course taken on ePermit whether or not the course is a degree requirement.
Can I receive a grade change after graduation?
No. Once a student has been granted a degree, this academic record is closed. Grade changes for courses taken in semesters prior to receiving the degree cannot be processed.
Any applicants for graduation who are in contact with their professor/department regarding a grade change must notify the Graduation Unit in the Office of the Registrar immediately at registrar@york.cuny.edu.
Can I improve my GPA after graduation?
No. Once the degree has been conferred onto the student’s record, the student’s academic record is closed and the degree GPA remains permanently frozen. Any additional classes taken after the conferral date will be applied towards the student's next academic record with its own separate GPA.
I missed the deadline for submitting my application for graduation online. Will I still be able to apply for that graduation term?
Yes, any student who missed the deadline and have registered for ALL degree requirements must first apply online for the next available graduation term in their CUNYfirst Student Center then contact the Graduation Unit in the Office of the Registrar (from your York email account) at registrar@york.cuny.edu one month after the start of their final semester to request that their application for graduation be switched to the current term. We will accept late applications up until one month prior to the degree conferral date. After that time, a student must apply to graduate in the following graduation term.
I applied late for the Spring graduation term, can I still attend the commencement ceremony?
Yes. Student Affairs will be notified to add a student's name to the list. A student's name may not appear in the commencement booklet depending on how late the student applied. Attending the ceremony does not mean that the student has graduated. The commencement booklet refers to all students as "Candidates" which means that students might possibly earn their degree that year. The Office of the Registrar will certify a student's graduation status after all final grades have been posted.
My major department plans to substitute or waive a major/pre-major/minor requirement, when should the department submit the request?
Ideally, the department should submit a memo to the Office of the Registrar formerly requesting this change shortly after advisement and a discussion with the student. Requests should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than one month prior to the graduation date.
Why do I have a Registration Hold for Potential Graduate?
This hold is assigned to all applicants who are deemed okay as registered for graduation in the current term. It is a good hold to have as it indicates that you just need to complete your last set of enrolled courses to graduate. It is there to prevent future enrollment and will get removed within 5 months after a student has graduated.
Can I choose to defer my graduation to a later term?
Yes, contact the Graduation Unit in the Office of the Registrar (from your York email account) at registrar@york.cuny.edu. Provide your EMPL ID#, the semester and year in which you have currently applied, the semester and year in which you want to change it to, and a brief sentence(s) explaining the reason for the request. Alternatively, you can complete the Application to Defer Graduation form and submit it along with your photo ID to the York College Registrar Secure Document Portal. Once processed, the Registration hold and any lists which identify students as a potential graduate will be removed.
What is the difference between graduation (conferral) and commencement?
Students graduate at the point when ALL degree requirements have been fulfilled. There are four conferral dates each year: Fall (January 1), Winter (February 1), Spring (June 1), Summer (September 1).
Commencement is a ceremony held once a year for all candidates for graduation within that academic year.
What name will be displayed on my diploma?
Unless otherwise directed, the diploma will be ordered using the graduate’s full primary name as it appears in CUNYfirst at the time of the order, including any middle initial/name and suffix (if listed). To view your name in CUNYfirst, click on the Student Center tile. Then click on the Profile tile to view your Names on file within the Personal Details section. Click on your name and a window will open to show that full name.
Students who wish to use a different first and/or middle name instead of their primary name on file, must update their Diploma Name in their CUNYfirst Student Center Profile section. Click the + button in the Names section to add a “Diploma Name” on or before the conferral date.Graduating students will not be able to modify their Diploma Name once the degree has been conferred onto the transcript.
Students who wish to change their last name must complete a Personal Data Change Request form and upload the completed form along with photo ID and supporting documentation displaying the legal name to the Office of the Registrar document upload so that the Office of the Registrar can change the Primary Name in CUNYfirst.
Should I use a different first and/or middle name for my diploma?
Circumstances under which a student may want to avoid the use of a Diploma Name are:
Students in professional programs with licensure may wish to avoid use of a Diploma Name that differs from the Legal Name.
Students who intend to live, work or study outside the United States may want to exercise caution in the use of a Diploma Name, as the diploma is often used as the official document in other countries. Diploma apostille (certified copy of the diploma) can only be provided when using the student’s Legal Name.
How much does the initial diploma cost?
York College provides your first diploma upon graduation at no cost. If you should need another copy of your diploma at a later date, you will be required to purchase a duplicate diploma.
Can I pick up my diploma at the college?
There is no need to pick up a diploma at the college. All diplomas are mailed to the student’s “Home Address” listed in CUNYfirst approximately two months after the degree conferral date. Once the diplomas have been ordered, Parchment (York's diploma/transcript vendor) will send the diploma to the student’s home address identified on CUNYfirst.
Students who are moving or experiencing other extenuating circumstances can notify the Graduation Unit in the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu to inquire about a pick up option.
When can I pick up my diploma if it was shipped to the college?
Please email the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu to schedule a pick-up during the Office of the Registrar's business hours.
If extenuating circumstances prevent the student from picking up their diploma in the Office of the Registrar, the email should specify a mailing address for the diploma to be shipped to. The diploma usually ships within 1 week of the request.
I graduated and have not received my diploma, who can I contact?
Recent graduates must wait at least two months for delivery of their diploma. If the diploma has not been received two months afterthe graduation date, then contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu.
Will I receive my diploma if I have hold on my account?
Bursar, Financial Aid and Library holds no longer prevent the release of the diploma nor the transcript. (There are a few campus holds from Student Development and Public Safety that will prevent the release of the diploma and transcript.)
When can I request a transcript?
When placing the order, be sure to select "Hold for Degree" to prevent the transcript from being printed until after the degree is posted. Transcripts with the degree posted are typically available within 3 weeks after the graduation date.
How can I order a duplicate copy of my diploma if I misplaced the original?
There is a $30 fee per duplicate diploma requested. If ordering more than one diploma, please adjust the quantity accordingly. Information on accessing your digital diploma will be sent to you by email and mobile text (if cell phone number was provided on order) when the order is placed within 2 weeks. Printed diplomas will be mailed to the address provided within 6 weeks from order date.
Alumni who have not yet created a Parchment account can order by visiting Parchment and creating an account.
How can I order a duplicate diploma with my current legal name?
Students must complete the Personal Data Change Form and upload the necessary supporting documentation to the Office of the Registrar document upload. After you receive confirmation from the Office of the Registrar that the name was updated in CUNYfirst, then follow the instructions on the prior question to order a Duplicate Diploma.
When can I request a letter of completion?
Once all grades have been posted in CUNYfirst, a student may formally request a letter of completion from the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu. These requests may take up to 5 business days for processing so plan accordingly. Enrollment verification letters with the degree posted on it are typically available within 2 weeks of the graduation date.
International Students
How do I stay in status?
Students will remain in status by registering for 12 or more credits every semester and maintaining a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
What happens if I go out of status?
Students that are out of status will be in the US illegally and will be reported to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Can I work on campus?
Yes, students can work on campus; however, the student may not exceed more than 20 hours per week.
Can I work off-campus?
Yes, only in the student's related field of study. Visit the DSO for more information.
Do I qualify for lower tuition?
No. International students pay out-of-state tuition.
Can I leave the US to visit my home country or go on vacation?
Yes. As long as classes are not in session and the I-20 is signed by the Designated School Official (DSO). If there is an emergency in your home country, please contact Michelle Sabio at msabio@york.cuny.edu for guidance.
Readmission
What is readmission?
Readmission occurs when a student who has been previously enrolled at York College takes a break of two or more semesters and decides to return to the college.
What is the criteria and process to readmit?
Undergraduate students whose cumulative GPA was 2.0 or higher when last in attendance at York College can apply for readmission by downloading and completing a Readmission Application and uploading it to theOffice of the Registrar document upload along with photo ID.
However, if your cumulative GPA was below a 2.0 when last in attendance at York, you must petition the Committee on Academic Policy and Standards(CAPS) for permission to readmit. Once a student's petition is reviewed, the Committee will send notification to the student of their decision. If approved by the Committee, the student may submit a copy of the approval along with a completed Readmission application and valid photo ID to the Office of the Registrar document upload.
What can I do if I was academically dismissed?
If you did not stop attending York College but received notification that you were dismissed and wish to return, you must petition the Committee on Academic Policy and Standards (CAPS) to appeal the dismissal. Once a student's petition is reviewed, the Committee will send a notification to the student of their decision. If approved by the Committee, the Office of the Registrar will reinstate the student in CUNYfirst within one week and the student can register for cuorses for the next semester.
Do I need to pay a fee when I readmit?
Yes. There is normally a $20 non-refundable Readmission fee.
Readmission for Servicemembers
The following information applies to Readmission of Servicemembers to York College
~ York College will promptly readmit with the same academic status a servicemember who was previously admitted to the institution but who did not attend, or did not continue to attend, because of service in the uniformed services.
~ The purpose of the readmission requirements is to minimize the disruption to the lives of servicemembers, allowing them to return to an institution of higher education without penalty for having left because of their service.
~ The readmission requirements apply to servicemembers who perform service in the uniformed services, whether voluntary or involuntary, in the Armed Forces, including service as a member of the National Guard or Reserve, on active duty, active duty for training, or full-time National Guard duty under Federal authority (but not State authority), for a period of more than 30 consecutive days under a call or order to active duty of more than 30 consecutive days.
~ The readmission requirements apply to servicemembers who have completely withdrawn from an institution for a period of service of more than 30 consecutive days. They do not apply to how an institution handles a servicemember's absence from class to attend training.
~ An otherwise eligible servicemember qualifies if:
York College is given notice of the servicemember's absence for service.
The cumulative length of absences from the institution by reason of service does not exceed five years.
The servicemember gives notice of his or her intent to return by the applicable time limit.
~ Notice of absence for service must be provided by the servicemember or an appropriate officer of the Armed Forces or official of the Department of Defense—that is, a commissioned, warrant, or noncommissioned officer authorized to give such notice. The notice of absence for service may be oral or written. It must be provided to the Veteran’s Representative or the Office of Student Affairs at York College and must be provided as far in advance as is reasonable under the circumstances. York College will not require that the notice follow any particular format nor establish a rule for timeliness (for example, a "brightline" deadline for submission); timeliness must be determined by the facts in a particular case. The notice does not need to indicate whether the servicemember intends to return to York College.
~ Advance notice is not required if it is precluded by military necessity (for example, a mission, operation, exercise, or requirement that is classified; or a pending or ongoing mission, operation, exercise, or requirement that may be compromised or otherwise adversely affected by public knowledge). If advance notice was not given and was not precluded by military necessity, the servicemember or appropriate officer of the Armed Forces or official of the Department of Defense may submit an attestation when seeking readmission that the servicemember performed service that necessitated the servicemember's absence.
~ The cumulative length of a servicemember's absences from York College for service includes only the time the servicemember spent actually performing service in the uniformed services. A period of absence from York College before, after, or in between performing service does not count (for example, the period between completing service and returning to the institution).
~ The five-year cumulative length of absences does not include service--
Beyond five years to complete an initial period of obligated service
During which servicemember was unable to obtain orders releasing from period of service before the expiration of the five-year period, through no fault of the servicemember
Performed by a member of the Armed Forces (including the National Guard and Reserves) who is ordered or retained on active duty under one of the following types of duty:
10 U.S.C. 688 (involuntary active duty by a military retiree);
10 U.S.C. 12301(a) (involuntary active duty in wartime);
10 U.S.C. 12301(g) (retention on active duty while in captive status);
10 U.S.C. 12302 (involuntary active duty during a national emergency for up to 24 months);
10 U.S.C. 12304 (involuntary active duty for an operational mission for up to 270 days);
10 U.S.C. 12305 (involuntary retention on active duty of a critical person during time of crisis or other specific conditions);
14 U.S.C. 331 (involuntary active duty by retired Coast Guard officer);
14 U.S.C. 332 (voluntary active duty by retired Coast Guard officer);
14 U.S.C. 359 (involuntary active duty by retired Coast Guard enlisted member);
14 U.S.C. 360 (voluntary active duty by retired Coast Guard enlisted member);
14 U.S.C. 367 (involuntary retention of Coast Guard enlisted member on active duty); or
14 U.S.C. 712 (involuntary active duty by Coast Guard Reserve member for natural or man-made disasters).
Performed by a member of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserve, who is order to or retained on active duty (other than for training)
§ Under any provision of law because of a war or national emergency declared by the President or Congress
§ In support, as determined by the Secretary concerned, of an operational mission for which personnel have been ordered to active duty under section 12304 of Title 10, U.S.C.
Performed by a member of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserve, who is
§ Ordered to active duty in support, as determined by the Secretary concerned, of a critical mission or requirement of the Armed Forces (including the National Guard or Reserve)
§ Called into Federal service as a member of the National Guard under Chapter 15 of Title 10 U.S.C., or section 12406 of Title 10 U.S.C., (i.e., called to respond to an invasion, danger of invasion, rebellion, danger of rebellion, insurrection, or the inability of the President with regular forces to execute the laws of the United States).
~ Notice of intent to return must be provided by the servicemember. It may be oral or written and must be provided to the Veteran’s Representative or Office of Student Affairs at York College. York College does not require that the notice follow any particular format. In addition to providing notice, the servicemember must provide documentation to establish that--
He or she has not exceeded the cumulative five-year limit on absences from the institution; and
His or her eligibility for readmission has not been terminated (see Q&A21).
· Documents that may be used for this purpose include:
DD (Department of Defense) 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
Copy of duty orders prepared by the facility where the orders were fulfilled carrying an endorsement indicating completion of the described service.
Letter from the commanding officer of a Personnel Support Activity or someone of comparable authority.
Certificate of completion from military training school.
Discharge certificate showing character of service.
Copy of extracts from payroll documents showing periods of service.
Letter from National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Team Leader or Administrative Officer verifying dates and times of NDMS training or Federal activation.
~ The types of documents necessary will vary from case to case. Not all of these documents are available or necessary in every instance. York College will not delay or attempt to avoid readmission of a servicemember by demanding documentation that does not exist, or is not readily available, at the time of readmission.
~ Notice of intent to return must be provided not later than three years after the completion of the period of service. For a servicemember who is hospitalized for or convalescing from an illness or injury incurred in, or aggravated during, the performance of service, notice must be provided not later than two years after the end of the period that is necessary for recovery from such illness or injury.
~ A servicemember who fails to provide notice of intent to return within the applicable time period does not automatically forfeit eligibility for readmission to York College, but is subject to York’s established leave of absence policy and general practices.
~ To promptly readmit a servicemember means that York College will readmit the servicemember into the next class or classes in the servicemember's program beginning after the servicemember provides notice of his or her intent to reenroll, unless the servicemember requests a later date of readmission, or unusual circumstances require the institution to admit the servicemember at a later date. For example, a later date of admission would be justified if an institution must make efforts to help the servicemember become prepared to resume the program, and such efforts would not be completed in time for the servicemember to begin the next class.
~ York College will readmit a servicemember with the same academic status. This means that York College will readmit the servicemember:
To the same program, unless the servicemember requests or agrees to admission to another program (if the servicemember's program is no longer offered, York College will admit the servicemember to the program that is the most similar);
At the same enrollment status (for example, full-time), unless the servicemember requests or agrees to a different enrollment status;
With the same number of credit hours or clock hours completed, unless the servicemember is admitted to a different program and the hours are not transferable;
With same academic standing (for example, satisfactory academic progress status);
For the first academic year, with the same tuition and fee charges as when the servicemember left, unless military benefits will pay the increase, but never more than the institution is charging other students; and
For subsequent academic years or for a different program, by assessing tuition and fee charges that are no more than the institution is charging other students.
~ York College will make reasonable efforts at no extra cost to the servicemember to help him or her become prepared, or to enable him or her to complete the program including, but not limited to, providing refresher courses and/or allowing the servicemember to retake a pretest. Reasonable efforts are actions that do not place an undue hardship on the institution. An undue hardship exists if an action requires significant difficulty or expense when considered in light of the overall financial resources of the institution and the impact otherwise of such action on the operation of the institution.
~ York College is not required to readmit a servicemember if it determines, after reasonable efforts, that the servicemember is not prepared to resume the program at the point where he or she left off, or is unable to complete the program. In addition, an York is not required to readmit a servicemember if it determines that there are no reasonable efforts it can take to prepare the servicemember to resume at the point where he or she left off, or to enable the servicemember to complete the program. York carries the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the servicemember is not prepared to resume the program with the same academic status at the t where the servicemember left off, or that the servicemember will not be able to complete the program.
~ These readmission requirements supersede any State law (including any local law or ordinance), contract, agreement, policy, plan, practice, or other matter that reduces, limits, or eliminates in any manner any right or benefit provided by these requirements for the period of enrollment during which the servicemember resumes attendance, and continues to do so as long as York College is unable to comply with such requirements through other means. Thus, York will readmit an eligible servicemember even if doing so would cause a class to exceed the maximum enrollment level set by the State. However, these requirements do not supersede, nullify, or diminish any Federal or State law (including any local law or ordinance), contract, agreement, policy, plan, practice, or other matter that establishes an individual's right or benefit that is MORE beneficial or in addition to these rules.
~ A servicemember's eligibility for readmission terminates upon the occurrence of:
A dishonorable or bad conduct discharge.
A dismissal of a commissioned officer permitted under section 1161(a) of Title 10 U.S.C. by sentence of a general court martial, in commutation of a sentence of a general court-martial, or, in time of war, by order of the President.
A dropping of a commissioned officer from the rolls pursuant to section 1161(b), Title 10 U.S.C. due to absence without authority for at least three months, separation by reason of a sentence to confinement adjudged by a court-martial, or a sentence to confinement in a Federal or State penitentiary or correctional institution.
~ All Servicemembers who wish to readmit to York College must complete the readmission application located under the Forms tab.
Who is eligible to apply for a tuition liability reduction?
Students who have withdrawn completely from the term due to an extenuating circumstance such as a personal tragedy, illness or injury may apply for a tuition reduction.
What happens if a student received financial aid for the term?
If approved, a student may be required to pay back the financial aid received during the term or a student may not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for the term. It is recommended that the student consult with the Financial Aid Office prior to requesting a tuition reduction.
If a student earned grades, can they apply for a tuition reduction?
No, the tuition reduction will not be considered for courses with earned grades of ‘A+’ through ‘F’, ‘INC’ and ‘P’. Only grades of W, WD and WN will be considered. If the student is assigned a’ WU’ grade, the student must petition and be approved by the Committee of Academic Policy and Standard (CAPS) for a retroactive withdrawal. If approved by CAPS, the student can apply for a tuition reduction and include the proof of approval with the application, along with a valid photo ID and additional supporting documents.
How often does the Tuition Liability Reduction Committee meet?
The Tuition Liability Reduction Committee normally meets once a month during the months of October, November, December, March, April, May and June.
How do students submit a Tuition Liability Reduction application and supporting documents?
The completed application, all supporting documentation along with a valid photo ID must be uploaded to the Registrar’s secure portal. Even though the documents are uploaded in the Registrar’s portal, the Office of the Registrar does not review nor make decisions on the tuition liability reductions.
What happens if a student cannot contact the instructor for the letter of attendance?
The student may also receive the letter of attendance from the Department Administrator. All letters must include the last date of attendance and be on college letterhead.
Will students be able to appeal the decision of the Tuition Liability Reduction Committee?
All decisions made by the Tuition Liability Reduction Committee are final. This is the only appeal process for a tuition liability reduction (refund).
How does the committee determine the outcome for a tuition reduction?
Reductions are granted in extreme cases and only when there are documented and compelling reasons to grant an exception based on York College’s polices and/or procedures.
What happens if a student does not have all of my supporting documents to submit for the tuition reduction?
It is the student’s responsibility to upload all required supporting documentation along with the signed application and a copy of a valid photo ID to the Registrar’s secure portal. If required documentation is not submitted, the Tuition Liability Reduction Committee will deny the request.
Registration
When does Registration begin and end for each term?
Please review the dates published in the Academic Calendar for the appropriate term.
When do I register for classes?
Schedule Builder will display the open enrollment date to begin registering for the term listed for all eligible students.
How can I register for my classes on CUNYfirst?
Step 1:Login to CUNYfirst to access your Student Center via the CUNYfirst Menu.
Step 3: Click on the Semester (e.g. Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027, etc.). Please be aware Winter is a session within the Spring semester.
Step 4: Courses can be added to your schedule by:
Typing them into the Select Course field
Importing/selecting missing degree requirements directly from Degree Works Audit or Plan
Advanced Search (e.g. searching for Spring courses, be sure to specify Regular Academic Sessions. If you do not, the search will retrieve courses offered during Winter Sessionand Regular Spring term.)
Pathways Core Requirement Designation, Session (Winter), Keywords (instructor name, course title). The more information provided in the Advanced Search, the more specific the results. Once the Search button is clicked, the results will appear in the right. Check off the box next to the course to add, then click on the Add Selected Course button on the bottom left-hand side.
Step 5: Block out times on the Calendar when courses cannot be taken to create the ideal schedule.
Step 6: Clicking on Class Details toggle button, will allow Schedule Builder to show detailed information on each course that is selected:
Step 7: The available class schedules will show. If there is more than one schedule available, use the arrows to see available options.
View the calendar to see the overall dates for courses at the bottom of the page and there will also be an indicator if some classes are online.
Narrow down the multiple schedule results by pinning a specific class/sections. Click the course on the grid to pin that specific section. A red pin will appear. Schedule Builder will show very schedule combination that works with the section pinned and the other classes selected. Unclick that a section see all of the sections for that course again.
Once the schedule is finalized, click the blue Continue button to proceed to Enrollment.
Step 8: Click Do Actions to Enroll:
If enrolled, a "Success" or “Message” will appear in the far-right column next to each course. (The DegreeWorks audit will display this enrollment within 1-2 days.) If the word “Success” or “Message” does not appear, the enrollment has not been processed. If enrollment was unsuccessful, an “Error” message will appear in the far-right column next to the course with an explanation as to why the enrollment was not completed.
On the Select Courses tab of Schedule Builder, a blue rectangle with the word “Enrolled” will appear next to each course that a student is currently enrolled in for the given term. In the example below, the student is successfully enrolled in HS 401, but is not enrolled in ENG 125 as shown in the screenshot. Student has initiated the process by selecting ENG 125 (Step 4), but the student must complete the process (Steps 5-8).
How do I swap courses?
Please follow the steps on pages 25 and 26 of the Schedule Builder guide or view a brief CUNY instructional YouTube video on how to swap courses. Any changes made on the first day of classes for the semester or after will incur fees. After the end of the first week of classes, students will no longer be able to add courses for that term.
How can I drop or withdraw from a course?
Please follow the steps on page 24 of the Schedule Builder guide or view this brief CUNY instructional YouTube video on how to drop a courses. Any changes made on the first day of classes for the semester or after will incur fees. Drops made after the first week of the semester will receive a withdrawal grade: WD grade if dropped in the second and third week of the semester; W grade if dropped after the third week of the semester up until the deadline published on the Academic Calendar.
What should I do about the message I received when I registered?
Scenario 1: A student attempting to enroll in a course in which they have not enrolled or completed all of the required pre-requisites in a prior semester: The system will not allow the student to register for the course. This error message is will appear.
If an incoming transfer student is transferring in the pre-requisites and receives the error message above, contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu.
Any continuing student who is unable to enroll and believes to have the appropriate pre-requisites for the course should contact the academic department for the discipline to receive permission to register for the course.
Scenario 2: If a student enrolls in a course for the next semester while currently enrolled in its required pre-requisite in the current semester, the system will allow the student to register for the course, but will provide the following message about conditionally satisfying the pre-requisite.
If the student has not successfully completed the required pre-requisites within 2-3 weeks of the first day of classes of that next semester, then the Office of the Registrar will drop the student from the course and any connected corequisite during the Post Enrollment Requisite Check (PERC). The Office of the Registrar will send the student an email to inform them the process has occurred. An incomplete grade in the prior term is not considered fulfillment for a prerequisite during the PERC process. The PERC process is run 2-3 weeks before the start of the Spring and Fall semesters.
Scenario 3: A student registering for a course for which they have already received credit will receive the message below.
The system does not prevent students from enrolling in a repeated course. Students cannot receive additional credit for a repeated course and it will not count towards the student's full-time eligibility for NY State Financial Aid (TAP, PTAP, Excelsior) unless the student’s declared major has a minimum grade requirement for the specific course.
Scenario 4: Student must contact the department for Department Permission in CUNYfirst so that the student can register for the course.
Scenario 5: Students attempting to register for a closed section will receive the following error message.
Student should enroll in the wait list if available for the course.
How do I know when courses are closed on CUNYfirst?
On the registration page, students will find a legend informing them of sections that are open, closed, or if they need to waitlist. Below is the legend:
Can I register for classes, if I have a hold on my account?
It will depend on the hold. Certain Negative Service indicators (holds) will prevent students from adding classes. Schedule Builder will indicate if a student has a hold that will prevent registration.
Holds are also visible in the Student Center page under the Tasks and Holds tile. It will display all active holds assigned within CUNY. Holds assigned by other CUNY schools will not impact your registration within York College unless they are University holds. Students can click each hold and a dialog box will open displaying additional details about the hold as shown below, but it will not show the service impact of the hold.
I would like to re-take a course, is this possible?
Yes. If a student has passed a course and want to re-take the course for a better grade, they can re-take the course. Students will not receive credit for re-taking the course. However, both grades will always appear on the student's transcript and computed into the cumulative GPA. In addition, if receiving financial aid,the student should inquire how re-taking a course can impact aid.
Second Degree Students
How do I apply for a second degree at York College?
York graduates must submit a transfer application to apply for a second degree with the Admissions Office. Please contact the Office of the Admissions at admissions@york.cuny.edu for any additional questions about second degree.
What is Second Degree Residency?
At least 75% of the course requirements of the major program of the second degree must be completed at York during the second degree. This generally prohibits the student from earning two degrees from the same academic department.
How many transfer credits will I receive from my first degree?
Students will receive 80 transfer credits from their first degree to be applied towards their second degree. Even if courses were taken during a first degree at York College, they will be considered as transfer credits during their second degree.
How many credits will I need to take to earn my second degree?
Students must complete at least 40 credits at York College during their second degree for College Residency. Depending on courses transferred from the first degree and the major requirements of the second degree, it is possible that the student may need to take more than 40 credits to complete this second degree.
Student Records
Would I be able to make copies of any documents on file?
No. Once student records are sent from Admissions to the Office of the Registrar, all documents become College property.
Transcripts are evaluated by the Office of the Registrar-Transfer Credit Unit upon receipt of the student's application from the Admissions Office.
In general, credits are granted for a course which is considered equivalent to a course at York and for which the student received the grade of "D" or better at a CUNY school, or "C" or better at any other accredited non-CUNY institution.
What does "BL" (Blanket Credit) mean?
Blanket credit is assigned when York College does not have a specific course equivalent to the one the student had took. The student will still be awarded the transfer credits for that course. "BL", "998" and "999" courses can be re-evaluated by the appropriate academic department if the student provides the course description and or syllabus.
Blanket credit can only be used towards general electives for the 120-credit degree and the NY State Liberal Arts requirements (if the blanket credit course was Liberal Arts). Blanket cannot be applied to fulfill any other degree requirement.
How do I get my transcripts re-evaluated?
Students should contact the Office of the Registrar Transfer Unit at transfereval@york.cuny.edu. Re-evaluations may be required if the major was changed.
What is CLEP?
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) offers exams in which a student can earn college credit upon successful completion. This is an external program outside of York College that is managed by College Board, a not-for-profit organization. Students can receive a up to 16 credits through Special Examinations such as CLEP.
How do I register for CLEP?
Students should review the York College CLEP Exam equivalency table for a list of CLEP exams that are equivalent to York College courses. While the College Board offers many different subjects for CLEP exams, only the exam listed on York's CLEP Exam Equivalency table will lead to credit at York College. Do not choose an exam if you have already received credit for the equivalent York College course, as you cannot earn credit twice for the same course.
To get more information about these exams, visit the CLEP website. Before you register, it is strongly recommended that you contact the Office of the Registrar Transfer Unit at transfereval@york.cuny.edu to confirm that the exam will be accepted for credit.
When registering for the exam, select York College (Code 2992) as your Designated Institution so that your official transcript will be sent to us and your credits can be awarded.
What score is considered passing for CLEP?
Most CLEP exams have an ACE recommended passing score of 50 to receive credit. World/Foreign Language exams require a higher score. Visit the CLEP website for a list of credit-granting scores for each CLEP exam.
Waitlist
What is the Waitlist?
Waitlist is a course registration feature in Schedule Builder. If a class is full, students can add themself to the waitlist in Schedule Builder. When a seat becomes available, the system will automatically enroll the student from the waitlist.
How will students know a class has a Waitlist?
When searching for classes in Schedule Builder, sections that are closed and have a waitlist, will have “Wait Listed” on the right-hand side in orange. Another view is in class details, where sections with a waitlist will have an orange triangle icon toward the left-hand side. The class sections can be selected and added to the shopping cart in Schedule Builder.
How do students get on the Waitlist?
Follow the same steps as enrolling in an open course in Schedule Builder. Since the section is closed, when enroll is selected, the student will be added to the waitlist. A message will be displayed confirming addition to the waitlist, along with the student’s position on the waitlist.
What happens after joining the Waitlist?
CUNYfirst will run an auto enrollment process throughout the day which will look for classes that have an open seat. The process selects the next eligible student from the top of the waitlist to enroll them into the class. The remaining students on the waitlist will have their positioning updated by one position closer to the top. Students should also check CUNYfirst often to see if you have been enrolled.
Will students be notified when auto-enrolled from the Waitlist?
Once students are automatically enrolled from the waitlist, an email message will be generated confirming enrollment into the class. This email will be sent to the student’s school email address.
How can the waitlist be used if a student is registered for one class section but prefer another section?
The student would use the Swap feature in Schedule Builder. First, the student would select the class they are enrolled in, and the closed class they want to register for in Schedule Builder. Select the garbage can symbol for the enrolled section, then move forward to the next page to enroll and be added to the waitlist. This action will not drop the student from the enrolled section. Instead, the student will be added to the waitlist for the closed section. If a seat becomes available, depending on the position, the system will enroll the student into the preferred class and drop the enrolled section, ensuring the student doesn’t lose their seat.
What if the student is on a waitlist, but the semester is about to start?
The student will remain on the waitlist throughout the late registration period. All waitlists will be closed on the last day to add a course. Please note that any registration that occurs once the semester begins will incur late registration fees. Please refer to the academic calendar for the waitlist deadline.
What are the chances of being auto-enrolled from the waitlist?
Using the waitlist is an excellent strategy to improve a student’s schedule. The waitlist may help a student to get classes that are needed. However, it is not guaranteed that a student will be enrolled from the waitlist because it is dependent on seat availability. It is always good to have a Plan B.
How do students know their position on the waitlist?
Once added to the waitlist, the system will show the student their position on the waitlist. Students can keep track of their position on the waitlist by checking in Schedule Builder, or by viewing the class schedule on CUNYfirst in the Student Center.
Can students waitlist for more than one section of the same course?
Yes, students can waitlist for more than one section of the same course. However, students can only waitlist up to twelve (12) credits. If a student is already enrolled in one section, then it is best to use the Swap feature to waitlist for a different section that better fits their schedule.
Will students be charged tuition for being on a waitlist?
No, students won’t be charged tuition while on the waitlist. Students are only responsible for tuition and fees for any courses they are auto-enrolled in from the waitlist. If a student has been added to a waitlist, the student should monitor their CUNYfirst account frequently to review registration, class schedules and important payment deadlines.
How can a student remove themself from a waitlist?
Students can remove themself from a waitlist by using the drop feature in Schedule Builder. The student would drop the waitlisted course the same way they would drop a course that they are registered for in Schedule Builder.
Are there any restrictions that would prevent a student from using the waitlist for a class?
Not all classes have a waitlist. For example, cross-listed courses are not eligible for the waitlist. A student would not be able to waitlist for a class if:
The student lacks the prerequisite or corequisite courses or meet specific restrictions (e.g., Major Standing, etc.).
The student has a negative service indicator (hold) on their account (e.g., Bursar Hold, etc.).
Enrollment has not started yet.
The student is already at the twelve (12) credit waitlist limit
The student has already enrolled in the course but is not using the Swap feature
Are there any restrictions that would prevent a student from being auto-enrolled from the waitlist?
A student won’t be auto enrolled from the waitlist if:
The student lacks the prerequisite or corequisite courses or meets specific restrictions (e.g., Major Standing, etc.).
The student has a negative service indicator (hold) on their account (e.g., Bursar Hold, etc.).
The class conflicts with another on the student’s schedule (e.g., Time Conflict).
Enrolling would exceed the credit limit for the semester.
The student is already enrolled in another section of the same course.
Reserved seats are allocated for a specific group of students.
