Accepted US Students

To accept our offer of admission, please complete the online “Reply to Offer of Admission” form which can be found on your My Next Steps page in your Admissions Portal.

Once you complete this form, your My Next Steps page will be updated and you will be able to confirm your Enrollment. Details and due dates are outlined in the section below.

Part-Time Students (1-8 credits/semester)
No additional steps are required. You will have confirmed your enrollment by completing the “Reply to Offer of Admission” form as stated above. This will secure your place in the entering class and allow you to register for courses. A tuition deposit is not required of part-time graduate students.

Full-Time Students (9+ credits/semester)
As a full-time student, you are required to submit your $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services in order to reserve your place in the program, allow for the provisioning of your RIT student account, and apply for campus housing. The deadline for submission of your tuition deposit is:

• May 1 (Summer or Fall term entry)
• December 15 (Spring term entry)
• If your acceptance offer is received after the standard due date, you will be required to confirm your enrollment within 2 weeks of your acceptance notification.

To pay via credit card and to expedite the processing of your online deposit, please log into your Admissions Portal and on the My Next Steps page submit your payment using the secure link found under “Payment Due”. If you would like to pay your admission deposit by mail or wire transfer please view our additional methods of payment. Once your deposit is received, please allow 1-2 business days for processing. Your other required enrollment steps (i.e., RIT Account, housing contract) will not be available until your payment has been processed.

Ph.D. Students
Ph.D. students are required to confirm acceptance of your offer to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services, to the Dean of Graduate Studies, and to your academic department. Confirmation of your enrollment will reserve your place in your program, provision your RIT Account and allow you to apply for campus housing. The deadline for confirming your acceptance of our offer is stated in your acceptance letter. Please see your acceptance letter for additional details and any additional required steps to confirm your enrollment. Ph.D. students do not need to pay a tuition deposit.

Your RIT Account and Your RIT Email address will be provisioned when you confirm your enrollment, as indicated in the step above. You will receive an account activation email from RIT when your Acceptance of Admissions deposit has been received and posted to our system. The account activation email will be sent to the email address supplied on your admissions application. If after two business days you have not received the account activation email, please contact the RIT Service Center. Please note: the RIT Account is different than the RIT Admissions Account you used during the application process.

RIT is provides Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as an extra layer of security for systems that store sensitive data. MFA is a way of ensuring that only you are able to access your accounts in these applications. In addition to your username and password, MFA requires you to provide an additional verification step to prove it is really you accessing your account. All RIT students’ need to enroll in MFA. Learn how to enroll in MFA

Current RIT community members/current students who already have an active RIT Account will not receive an activation email as your current RIT account will remain the same.

RIT has partnered with Google to provide RIT Gmail accounts to all students. To access your RIT Gmail account, visit the home for Google Apps at RIT, google.rit.edu. All email communication from RIT will be sent to your RIT student email address. Additionally, you can set e-mail preferences by visiting the RIT Start portal.

Visit RIT Housing if you would like to be considered for on-campus housing. RIT Housing assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, depending upon the date you confirm your enrollment and submit your housing application. RIT Housing is available for graduate students but cannot be guaranteed.

You can also view our housing options guide for helpful information to aid in your on- or off-campus housing search.

The orientation event schedule will be announced closer to the start of the term. You will receive details in your rit.edu email for any orientation events offered and any registration links (if required). Generally, orientation events occur the week before classes begin.

All graduate students enrolled in another college must submit final official transcripts. If you will receive a degree prior to enrollment at RIT, final transcripts must indicate receipt of the degree and conferred date. When all your classes are complete, make arrangements to submit transcripts to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services:

1. By mail - Original transcripts issued by your university and sent to RIT in a sealed envelope. (If they are mailed to you, they must remain in their original, sealed envelope.)

• Attention: Office of Graduate Enrollment Services
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• Bausch & Lomb Center, Bldg. 77, Room A-130
• 58 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, New York 14623-5604

2. Digital Copy - Some institutions allow you to request a digital copy. You can request a PDF official copy be emailed to gradinfo@rit.edu.

3. In-Person - You may present them in-person in their original, sealed envelope.

Failure to submit official original transcripts and proof of completion of degree required for entry to your RIT program will result in your being unable to register for courses.

If your admission to RIT is contingent on additional coursework or other special requirements, a Graduate Admission Contingency Form is enclosed in your acceptance packet. Please read it carefully. Sign one copy and send it to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services in the envelope provided, or fax to 1-585-475- 7164, or send a scanned copy by email to gradinfo@rit.edu. If you have any questions regarding the conditions of your acceptance, please contact your academic department.

Directions for completing required health history and immunization forms will be emailed to your RIT Account from the Student Health Center. Forms should be submitted as early as possible. Please contact the Student Health Center at (585) 475-2255 or ritshc@rit.edu with questions.

Additional information is available on the Student Health website, including information related to student health immunizations.

RIT requires that full-time graduate students maintain health insurance. Coverage is available through the RIT-sponsored insurance plan. Learn more about the RIT Student Health Insurance Plan. Additional information is also stated in your acceptance letter.

If you have questions about your program or registering for classes, contact the graduate program director or advisor in your academic department. Visit the Department Contact List and click on your specific program to obtain your Graduate Program Director’s contact information. They can assist you in reviewing program requirements, planning a schedule, and guiding you through the registration process.

Review the section below under Guide for Full Time Students to help you plan for your arrival.

If, due to unusual circumstances, you are unable to attend RIT in the term you have been admitted, you may be able to defer your admission to a future term. Admitted students may defer their offer of admission one time and may request a deferral for up to one year. Defers will require that the student has confirmed their enrollment indicating they have accepted the offer of admission and paid the tuition deposit, when applicable. Approval for the deferral of the admission also requires the approval of the Graduate Program Director. Email Graduate Admissions at gradinfo@rit.edu, if you have additional questions.

The information provided here will help you as you plan for your arrival at RIT. If you are beginning your studies at RIT in Spring or Summer terms, you may move into your RIT housing on the day before classes begin.

RIT has a semester calendar. With academic department approval, you may join classes NO LATER than the sixth class day from the beginning of the term.

RIT is located within 7 miles of the Rochester International Airport. If you are arriving by plane, you should take a taxi from the airport to the campus. The taxi fare is approximately $20. If you are arriving by bus or train, you should choose the destination of “Rochester, New York” and take a taxi from the train station or bus terminal to the campus. The ride will be about 20-30 minutes and the taxi fare will vary.

If you are assigned campus housing, the Housing Operations Office will contact you with more details regarding move-in dates and procedures. Check the On-Campus Living website for more information.

Remember that most of the RIT housing available for graduate students is not furnished. You should have something to sleep on for your first night on campus. Students living in RIT apartments should not send their belongings ahead.

The weather in Rochester is varied. It is usually hot and humid from June through September, and cold and snowy from November through March. Other months are moderate in temperature. You will need a heavy wind and rain resistant coat, waterproof boots, and gloves for the cold months. Students usually wear comfortable, informal clothing to attend classes.

If you will arrive in Rochester prior to when you can move into your graduate housing, you should make arrangements to stay in an area hotel. You should make a reservation at the hotel/motel before you arrive, and be sure to ask if there is an RIT discount rate. RIT does not offer early arrival accommodations. 

You should bring enough money with you for your first few weeks at RIT. You may also wish to consider using an ATM machine on campus to access cash from an account previously established. The ATM machines on campus are supplied by Advantage Federal Credit Union, Bank of America, First Niagara and M&T, and use the NYCE, CIRRUS, Global Access, PLUS, Visa, and MasterCard networks. You should not carry more than $100 in cash.

You may open a checking and/or savings account at a bank in the Rochester area usually between the hours of 9:30 am and 3:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. It will take about 2 weeks for your new account to be activated, and for you to receive personalized checks from the bank.

The RIT mobile app includes essential information and services including a searchable RIT campus map, real-time bus locations, next-time arrivals, and schedules, campus dining locations and hours, a calendar of campus events, and more.

Download for iOS
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The RIT student ID is a picture ID, your RIT library card and your access to campus facilities. You will need your RIT student ID for student rates for tickets to special campus events, to obtain an on-campus parking permit, or to write a check on campus. You can obtain your RIT student ID once you arrive on campus at the Office of the Registrar on the first floor of the George Eastman Building.Hours of operation are posted on the Registrar website. For more information, phone the Registrar at 585-475-2821 or click the “Ask the Registrar” link on their website.

All vehicles operated on campus must be registered with Public Safety, and must display an Institute parking hangtag. Both a valid RIT ID and a state car registration (or a copy) are required to register your vehicle. You may register your vehicle online at the Parking and Transportation website or by going to the Public Safety Office in Grace Watson Dining Hall (Building 25). When you register your vehicle, you will receive a Public Safety map that shows the locations of the courtesy call boxes, parking regulations, and other important information.

Online Learning Note: If you are an online learning student and plan to visit the campus for any reason, such as a weekend lab, a proctored exam, or plan to use the Wallace Library or Fitness Center facilities, etc. you will need to obtain a visitor’s permit at the Visitor’s Booth when you first arrive at the campus. This permit is good for one day and allows you to park in the general parking spaces of any of the campus lots. The general parking areas are those that are not labeled with a “Reserved” sign. Directions to the RIT campus

Selecting and ordering textbooks, other course materials, and supplies can be completed through RIT's online bookstore. You may log in with your RIT account to view a personalized page of your courses and corresponding course materials, or search for materials by course. Materials will be shipped directly to you.

RIT logoed products and spirit wear can be purchased at the Digital Den in Monroe Hall. 

Online Learning at RIT offers a broad selection of courses, and full degree and certificate programs in an online format. Information about RIT’s online learning programs can be found on the Degrees page.

Online course listings can be found inthe Student Information System.

All students registered in an online course receive an email to their RIT email address welcoming students to online learning at RIT and directing them to RIT’s course management system, myCourses. From there, they can access the Online Student Community to read and complete the Semester Startup. As part of the Semester Startup self-guided tutorial, students may review course information, order course materials online for mail delivery, and review any proctored examination requirements. Semester support hours and contact information can be found on the Center for Teaching and Learning website. 

MyCourses is the campus-wide course management system in use at RIT. Every RIT course has a myCourses presence. This web-based application enables instructors to enhance their on-campus courses with online features that are utilized at the discretion of the instructor. In addition, many online course instructors employ myCourses to deliver their courses. Students login to myCourses with their RIT DCE account. More information and help on how to use myCourses can be found on myCourses

The Student Information System, or SIS, provides a convenient method for students to register for courses and obtain information from the Registrar’s and Student Financial Services offices. SIS is a menu driven system which uses onscreen prompts to allow you to access the function you desire and navigate through the various options. Once you have a RIT Account you can access SIS

Each graduate department has specific requirements and procedures for graduate students. New graduate students should contact their academic advisor for additional information regarding registration. View all graduate degrees and locate your degree program for detailed information.

Online Students: Once your academic advisor has assisted you with course registration for your first term of study with RIT, you will be granted access to myCourses, the online course management portal.

Continuing students may register in person, by mail, by fax (585-475-7005), or online via the Student Information System.

Preferred Deposit Method: The easiest and best way to pay your tuition deposit is by logging into your myRIT account - look for the link to Pay Your Deposit. Paying your deposit in this manner with a credit card makes your payment “authenticated” and will result in faster processing and acknowledgement of your payment.

IMPORTANT: Students submitting the acceptance deposit after the deadline noted in their offer of admission letter may have their deposit returned, once enrollment capacity has been reached.

Other Ways to Pay Your Enrollment Deposit: If someone is paying your deposit for you, or if you do not want to pay by logging into your portal account, you can use the following alternative payment methods which occur outside of our admission system. Be aware that using the following alternatives will result in slower processing and payment acknowledgement. Learn more about alternative payment methods

Ph.D. students do not need to pay a tuition deposit.

You may view and pay your electronic bill in eServices.

Due dates, payment options, and policies are available through Student Financial Services.

Graduate tuition is charged each semester based on the number of credit hours in which you are enrolled. The following are two cost estimates for one year of study (two semesters); one for degrees that typically requires 9 credit hours per semester, the other for degrees that require 12 or more credit hours per semester.

Information on costs and fees can be found here.

Full-time, accepted graduate students may be awarded scholarships and assistantships by their academic departments. Scholarships are generally awarded during the admission review process. If you have been awarded a scholarship, you will receive a scholarship letter in your acceptance packet.

Assistantships are awarded through the academic departments and the process varies by department. For more information regarding application procedures, please contact the graduate coordinator in your academic department.

RIT's Center for Campus Life offers opportunities for Graduate Assistantships. These positions are available to all incoming graduate students. Positions are available in the following areas:

• Building Management Services and Vending
• Campus Life & Student Government
• Clubs & Organizations
• Event Management
• Interfraternity Council Advisor
• Marketing Design
• New Student Orientation Program Coordinator
• New Student Orientation Communications Coordinator
• Off-Campus and Commuter Services
• Space Reservations

Please visit Career Connect to review positions and apply for current vacancies.

If you have not been awarded a scholarship or assistantship, you can contact your academic advisor concerning opportunities that might be available to you after you enroll at RIT.

Financial Aid – To apply for federal financial aid (available only to U.S. citizens and permanent residents), you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have results sent to RIT. Our federal school code is 002806. New York residents can apply for the state’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) by completing the TAP application. Forms are available at most colleges or may be obtained by contacting the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. Additional financial aid information, including links to federal aid programs and an electronic FAFSA form, can be obtained by visiting the Financial Aid Forms page. 

Student Employment – Full-time, matriculated students (9 or more credits or full-time equivalent) may hold part-time jobs on campus. You may apply for campus jobs after you arrive on campus through the Student Employment Office or by visiting the Student Employment Office website. Students may not work more than 20 hours per week and you must have a U.S. Social Security number before you can interview for an on-campus job.

Alternative educational loans - Alternative educational loans are private loans offered through banks to supplement financial aid awards. RIT is required to certify these loans to ensure that the loan amount does not exceed the cost of attendance less all other financial aid. Most alternative loans are disbursed equally into student accounts according to enrollment plans. If you decide that an alternative loan is right for you, you may borrow from any lender that you choose. When choosing a lender for an alternative loan, you may wish to consider the following factors:

• Citizenship status required by the lender, for both the borrower and the co-signer
• Loan costs (interest rates and fees)
• Borrower benefits and discounts
• Customer service

RIT does not recommend or endorse particular lenders. We encourage students to review all of the options and loan terms and conditions very carefully first.

RIT is a remarkable and diverse university with a vast array of services and opportunities to attend activities and events as well as vital student needs. Some of the services provided on campus are the Office of Cooperative Education and Career Services, the Student Health Center, Public Safety, the Wallace Library, Information Systems and Computing Services, the Counseling Center, and Margaret’s House Child Care Program.

Included on campus are laundry facilities, dining halls, convenience stores, hairdressers, bookstore, religious services, athletic facilities, medical facility, and computer centers. There is transportation provided across campus during most hours. A shuttle bus service is provided at set hours between the campus and local shopping areas. Taxis and the regional public bus service also serve the campus.

RIT Housing offers tailored solutions to fit incoming graduate students' unique needs. Housing options include single to multiple occupancy housing, residence halls, Greek housing, and apartment and suite-style options over a wide range of rates. Laundry, utilities, and all functional amenities are included. RIT housing contracts coincide with the academic year and students leaving for co-op, research, or study abroad can rest assured that they can end their housing contract with no fee or subletting needed. 

RIT housing assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, depending upon the date we receive your tuition deposit and housing application. RIT housing is available for graduate students, but cannot be guaranteed.

Learn more about applying for RIT Housing

RIT has self-operating dining locations and offers a variety of dining options including: Brick City Café, Global Village Cantina and Grille, Grace Watson Dining Hall (Gracie’s), the RITZ Sports Zone, the Commons, and the Crossroads Café and Market. In addition, the Corner Store offers everything a convenience store has to offer and more. Each dining facility is open at specific hours and has unique menus and services. More information can be obtained by visiting dining services

Students may open a Dining Dollars Account to be used in any of the dining location on campus. You may deposit any amount of money into your Dining Dollars account. No minimum balance is required. When using your Dining Dollars Account to pay for food in any of the dining location, you will receive an 8% savings off your total purchase. Any money deposited into your Dining Dollars account will roll over from the fall semester to the spring semester and any unused Dining Dollars will be forfeited.

A Tiger Bucks Account differs from a Dining Dollars Account in that Tiger Spend allows students to purchase goods and services at participating locations not restricted to dining locations. For example, you may use Tiger Bucks for purchases at all dining locations, vending machines, the library, the Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and the Digital Den, to name only a few. To add funds to either of these accounts, please visit Tiger Spend. If you have any questions about the dining options or meal plans, please contact Dining at the service center or 585-475-5000.

RIT has a tradition of honoring and supporting active duty military, veterans, and their families. For over 50 years, RIT has had a Veterans Services Office dedicated to supporting and advocating for active duty military, veterans, and their dependents. Please visit the RIT veterans website  to learn more about the resources available and for essential military education benefits information and paperwork.

The Student Health Center provides primary medical care on an outpatient basis. The staff includes physicians, nurse practitioners, a physician assistant, nurses, support staff and an interpreter for the deaf. Services available include: general medical diagnosis and treatment, immunizations, sexual health services, basic laboratory tests, mental health care, prescriptions, and lifestyle counseling.

Students can elect to pay a Health Fee per term, or a fee per visit. RIT requires that full-time graduate students maintain health insurance. Coverage is available through the RIT-sponsored insurance plan. Learn more about the RIT Student Health Insurance Plan. Insurance is necessary to access off-campus services, i.e., referral to specialists and x-ray services.

Your RIT student ID card provides you with access to the Hale-Andrews Student Life Center, located between the dormitories and the Student Alumni Union. The Student Life Center features top quality equipment and athletic facilities, such as multipurpose courts, weight room, and indoor track, to help you relieve the tension of a stressful day! For hours and information, call (585) 475-2620.

Security on campus is provided by Public Safety Services, although each individual is responsible for his/her own personal safety. The safety of students and their belongings is a top priority. The campus and its buildings are patrolled regularly, a Mobile Escort van and walking escort service are available 7 days a week, and blue-light courtesy boxes are located throughout the campus.

RIT Public Safety has worked to develop a unique app, the Tiger Safe app, that provides students, faculty, and staff with added safety on the RIT campus. The app will send you important safety alerts and provide instant access to campus safety resources. Download the app

The RIT Disability Services Office is committed to providing equal access to programs, services and physical facilities to students with disabilities. Students who would like to request academic accommodation due to a disability should submit a request form and documentation of the disability to the Disability Services Office. The Director will review the request and supporting documentation and recommend appropriate and reasonable accommodations as needed. All information submitted is considered confidential and is for use only by Disability Services. No information is released without your consent.

We do not provide or coordinate personal services. Students need to make their own arrangements for mobility training, personal care assistants and personal adaptive equipment. Tutoring is not considered an accommodation; there are various academic support opportunities available within RIT for all students.

Rochester Institute of Technology
Disability Services Office
Student Alumni Union, Room 1150
28 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623-5604
Phone: (585) 475-2023 Fax: (585) 475-2215
Web Address: https://www.rit.edu/disabilityservices/

To request accommodations due to a disability, please submit a completed Disability Services Request and documentation to the Disability Services Office. You can find the online and printable request form on our website by clicking on the “Accommodations” link. You can also refer to the “Documentation” link for more information about documentation.

Please send requests and documentation to the Disability Services Office; do not send disability information intended to serve as documentation to Admissions, Student Health or other departments within RIT.