Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Administrative Degree Clearance Procedure: Twin Cities and Rochester

Situations that are not acceptable reasons to delay graduation after completing degree requirements include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Adding/completing a minor
• Adding/completing a second major or second degree
• Wishing to choose a different major after completing the requirements for one major or after passing the major declaration benchmarks as defined in Administrative Policy: Promoting Timely Graduation by Undergraduates.
• Pursuing a learning abroad opportunity
• Adding study in a foreign language
• Improving cumulative GPA
• Repeating a course to improve a grade
• Taking graduate/professional program prerequisite courses (e.g., preparing to apply to Medical School, Law School)
• Prolonging student loan deferment
• Extending the time of US visa/student status
• Maintaining eligibility for specific types of federal, state, and institutional aid
• To apply for and maintain eligibility for a scholarship, including learning abroad scholarships
• Seeking more time to complete an honors thesis

Acceptable reasons to delay graduation after completing degree requirements include:

• If awarded a scholarship or opportunity that requires enrollment as a full time, degree-seeking student. All units should avoid recommending or awarding such scholarships and opportunities to students who will complete degree requirements prior to the award or experience.
• NHS students who have not yet completed 4 years (8 semesters) of coursework or NAS students who have not yet completed 3 years (6 semesters) of coursework. Please note:
  1. Students who have completed degree requirements are no longer eligible for federal financial aid. Students and their academic advisors should plan course enrollments carefully and consult with the Office of Student Finance regarding aid eligibility.
  2. Students who have not yet completed eight (NHS) or six (NAS) semesters are not required to petition to delay graduation.

No. NHS students will not be administratively cleared even if degree requirements are completed in fewer than 4 years. A student may choose to graduate earlier than 4 years by applying to graduate. However, once degree requirements are completed, regardless of whether or not the degree is posted, the student is no longer eligible for federal financial aid.

Based on the benchmarks established by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, NAS students will not be administratively cleared for graduation if degree requirements are completed in fewer than 3 years. NAS students with completed degree requirements and wish to continue beyond 3 years are eligible for administrative degree clearance.

NHS students completing degree requirements in fewer than 4 years and NAS students completing degree requirements in fewer than 3 years do not need to petition to delay graduation.

IUT students should be guided as an NHS or NAS student from the time they entered the University of Minnesota system.

Yes, students may take courses after being cleared for their degree. As with all students who are cleared for a degree, students may pursue a post major or minor or pursue classes as a non-degree seeking student.

Students with subsequent enrollment and a declared second degree, second major, or minor may remain in their undergraduate college as an active student, if the student had a subsequent term of enrollment at the point of degree clearance and had a second major or minor declared prior to the award of their degree. These students will then stay active in that college, and in that plan, until cleared.

Students with subsequent enrollment without a declared second degree, second major or minor will be enrolled in a CCE non-degree student program plan by Academic Support Resources (ASR).

Students returning to take classes after being cleared and discontinued may request to be active in the undergraduate college if pursuing a second major or minor.

Students cannot be awarded federal aid (e.g. PELL, Federal Work Study, Direct Loans) for classes they enroll in after having fulfilled all of their degree requirements. Students seeking a second degree (i.e., not a second major under the same degree structure; such as a second B.A.) may be eligible for certain types of aid. Specific questions about financial aid for a particular student’s circumstances should be directed to One Stop Student Services, onestop.umn.edu, 612-624-1111.

Undergraduate student loans remain in deferment as long as the student is enrolled at least half time (6 credits) each term (not including summer), regardless of whether the enrollment is as a degree-seeking or non-degree student.

Students may, with the approval of their college advising office, petition to delay graduation by submitting the Academic Policy Petition to the academic advisor.

Twin Cities:

Supported petitions for Twin Cities will be forwarded to the Office of Undergraduate Education ([email protected] or 220 Morrill Hall). Petitions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and decisions will be communicated to the academic advisor within 10 working days after receipt of the petition by the Office of Undergraduate Education. Petitions are reviewed by the Office of Undergraduate Education in consultation with the Office of Student Finance. Final approval resides with the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education. Approved petitions will result in an APLUS tag.

Rochester:

Students may petition, with approval from the UMR Advising Office, by submitting an Academic Policy Petition to the Director of Advising to be forwarded to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Development. Petitions are reviewed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Development with decisions communicated to the Success Coach and Director of Advising within 10 working days after receipt of the petition by the UMR Advising Office.

No. This procedure is the same for all undergraduate students regardless of individual characteristics. The advisor of record should work with Twin Cities International Student and Scholar Services to determine the best course of action for the student.

No. This procedure is the same for all undergraduate students regardless of individual characteristics. The advisor of record should work with McNamara Academic Center for Student-Athletes to determine the best course of action for the student.

Reference Administrative Policy: Grading and Transcripts.