Graduate Student Next Steps
Find key dates and deadlines for what you need to do as an incoming RISD graduate student, as well as information about summer events, info sessions and other valuable resources.
Submit your deposit
The first step in reserving your space in your degree program is to submit your deposit. Once you do, you need to finalize your enrollment by sending us a copy of your transcript. Take action as soon as possible to get started on your way to RISD.
Dates and deadlines
We will update this page over the coming months with additional deadlines and tasks. Please contact welcome@risd.edu with questions or concerns. The dates and deadlines below are for all incoming graduate students arriving for Summer or Fall 2026.
Required tasks that are marked with a (P) need to be completed in the incoming student portal. All tasks are required unless otherwise noted.
If you are a student with an F-1 Visa status or a transfer student, please visit our information for international students page.
If you are considering deferring your admission, please review our deferral policy.
April 2026
APR 15
Enrollment deposit due
Submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $500 to reserve your space. (This deposit will be applied to your first tuition bill.) To pay by credit card or debit card, please use the link below to go to our secure online site. In order to access the deposit link, you will need to log into your applicant status portal.
May 2026
MAY 1
Health forms due (for summer program students)
Health Services requires all new students to submit health forms. Your registration is not considered complete until we receive your completed and signed health forms.
EARLY MAY
Students receive RISD credentials
Students who submit their deposit after May 15 will receive their credentials within 5 business days.
Once you have your credentials, you will have access to the incoming student portal.
MAY 15
On-campus housing application (for summer and fall housing) and off-campus registration open
Any graduate student interested in on-campus housing for the upcoming academic year needs to apply via the housing portal.
If you are enrolled in a graduate program that begins during the summer, you can receive on-campus housing for the summer. Visit Residence Life for a summer housing overview.
Graduate students residing off-campus for the upcoming academic year can also begin registering their address via the housing portal beginning on this date.
MAY 29
Housing applications (for summer and fall) and accommodations request due (for fall arrivals)
Learn more about requesting accommodations for housing by reviewing the information from Disability Support Services.
June 2026
JUN 1
Health forms due (for summer program students)
RISD Health Services requires all new students to submit health forms. Your registration is not considered complete until we receive your completed and signed health forms.
JUN 1
Transcript due (for summer program students)
You must confirm satisfactory completion of your undergraduate education. To do so, arrange for Admissions to receive your final, official transcript by June 1.
If your school submits transcripts electronically, please have yours delivered to admissions@risd.edu.
JUN 1
Deferral requests due
Requests to defer graduate admission are reviewed by Admissions and the department to which you have been admitted. All requests should be sent to your graduate program director and admissions@risd.edu. You will be informed of the outcome in your applicant status portal. Review our deferral policy for details.
JUN 1
Online orientation begins
Complete your RISD Blueprint Online Orientation prior to arrival.
EARLY JUNE
Billing notification sent (for summer program students)
JUN 9
Housing applications and accommodations requests due
To be considered for academic-year housing on campus, or if you are taking part in a summer grad program, complete your application via the housing portal by this date.
Students seeking housing accommodations must have documentation submitted to Disability Support Services by this date to ensure timely review.
JUN 17
ID Photos due (P) (for summer program students)
Complete in the incoming student portal.
JUN 17
Room assignments issued for summer graduate housing
MID-JUN
Accept or decline financial aid (for summer program students)
Review your financial aid package and accept or decline in Workday.
THROUGHOUT SUMMER
Academic-year housing assignments issued on a limited basis
If space comes available for the upcoming school year, we will offer housing placements, first come, first served based on if and when we received a housing application from you.
July 2026
JUL 1
Summer tuition bill (P) and optional health insurance waiver due (for summer program students)
Complete in the incoming student portal.
Visit University Health Plans to review your coverage plan or to opt-out of health insurance.
JUL 1
Deadline to accept or decline your financial aid (for fall arrivals)
Review your financial aid package and accept or decline in Workday.
JUL 1
Transcript due
You must confirm satisfactory completion of your undergraduate education. To do so, arrange for Admissions to receive your final, official transcript.
If your school submits transcripts electronically, please have yours delivered to admissions@risd.edu.
EARLY JUL
Fall billing notification sent
MID-JUL
Update personal information in Workday
Login with your RISD credentials to update your personal information in Workday.
JUL 24
Health forms due (for fall semester)
Health Services requires all new students to submit health forms. Your registration is not considered complete until we receive your completed and signed health forms.
If you do not submit completed health forms, you will not receive a course schedule and will not be able to begin attending classes.
August 2026
AUG 1
Fall bill due (P) and optional health insurance waiver due (for fall arrivals)
Complete in the incoming student portal.
Visit University Health Plans to review your coverage plan or to opt-out of health insurance.
AUG 5
ID Photos due (P) (for fall arrivals)
Complete in the incoming student portal.
September 2026
SEP 3
International student move-in
Visit Residence Life to find answers to your questions about applying for housing, selecting your room, general residence policies and more, as well as how to use our online housing portal.
SEP 3-5
International student orientation
At International Student Orientation, new and incoming international students will learn about available resources and support at RISD, and other important information to assist in your transition to living and studying in the United States.Learn more about our Orientation programs
SEP 6
New student move-in
Visit Residence Life to find answers to your questions about applying for housing, selecting your room, general residence policies and more, as well as how to use our online housing portal.
SEP 6-8
New student orientation
Designed for all incoming first-year, transfer, international and graduate students, New Student Orientation provides information about campus resources and introduces you to faculty, student leaders, and your peers.
SEP 9
Fall semester classes begin
Find your graduate program director
If you have questions for your major’s graduate program director, or are interested in more resources for grad students, follow the link below.
