What you need to know

You become an MIT student (with regular student status) at the start of your first term, or if you are a returning student, the term in which you are readmitted. During the fall and spring terms, you must be properly registered and up to date on financial obligations to retain regular student status.

Some key points to remember:

  • Undergraduates do not have to register for January’s Independent Activities Period (IAP) or summer term.
  • Graduate students do not have to register for IAP, but those doing research or thesis work during the summer must register for the summer session in accordance with Graduate Policies & Procedures.

Ending your student status

Regular student status normally ends on the last day of your final term unless you withdraw, take a leave of absence, complete your graduate thesis early, or are required to leave MIT during a term. In these cases, your student status ends on the date you leave/withdraw or the date that your department submits your final thesis grade.

If you are considering interrupting your time at MIT, undergraduates should consult with their academic advisor and/or Student Support Services (S3). Graduate students should consult with their academic advisor, research advisor, and/or a GradSupport Dean. We also encourage you to consider impacts to:

  • Undergraduate or graduate financial aid
  • International student visa status
  • Athletic eligibility
  • VA education benefits
  • Graduate funding and employment
  • MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (MIT SHIP)
  • Academic progress
  • Housing