Graduate Student Next Steps

A RISD student is sitting on a stool and working on a large visual artwork in one of our studio spaces.

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.

Submit your deposit (login required)

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

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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.

Submit payment

May 2026

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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.

Submit Health Forms

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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. Please see our summer housing overview for more information.

Graduate students residing off-campus for the upcoming academic year can also begin registering their address via the housing portal beginning on this date.

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Learn more about requesting accommodations for housing be reviewing the information from Disability Support Services.

July 2026

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Complete in the incoming student portal.

Visit University Health Plans to review your coverage plan or to opt-out of health insurance.

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Review your financial aid package and accept or decline in Workday.

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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.

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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.
If you do not submit completed health forms, you will not receive a course schedule and will not be able to begin attending classes.

Submit health forms