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We are pleased to welcome you back to UW Tacoma. The Returning Student Process is designed for students wishing to return after an absence of more than one quarter (excluding summer quarter). The steps below will guide you through the process to reactivate your student account and to prepare you to register for a future quarter. Once you have submitted your Returning Student Request Form, you’ll be able to clear any holds you may have on your registration, and then confirm your intention to enroll through the Enrollment Confirmation System.
You may request to return to the University of Washington Tacoma if you:
- Have been away for more than one quarter (excluding Summer Quarter). Withdrawing from one quarter and not attending the next results in two consecutive absences, requiring the submission of the Returning Student Form, and
- Have not obtained a degree either from the University of Washington or from another institution at the undergraduate or graduate level you were in since leaving.
Checklist to Re-Enroll
For an overall understanding of all the steps and offices which are involved in the re-enrollment process, please review the Checklist to Re-Enroll.
You should not apply as a returning student if you are applying to enter UW Tacoma for the first time or in a new category because you have earned a degree since last attending UW Tacoma. Rather, you should contact the Office of Admissions for information about the appropriate category: undergraduate (which includes post-baccalaureates), graduate, professional, or non-matriculated undergraduate.
The ability to return as a student to the UW Tacoma is granted at the discretion of the University. Eligibility factors which may be considered include, but are not limited to:
- Space availability in the major in which you were previously enrolled
- Activities during the period in which you were not enrolled
- Prior disciplinary action
Are you returning from leave as a...
| Graduate Student? | Graduate students should contact their program advisor and the Graduate School for information. Graduate students who are returning from official on-leave status are not required to submit a Returning Student Request Form. Review Graduate On-Leave Status for on-leave eligibility, the procedure for requesting leave, and information about reinstatement. |
|---|---|
| University of Washington Seattle student? | Click here |
| University of Washington Bothell student? | Click here |
Submission Deadlines
Returning Student Forms are accepted up to one week before the requested quarter starts. Graduate students who wish to re-enroll should contact their program advisor and the Graduate School for assistance.
Ready to Return?
Step One: Complete the Returning Student Request Form
Complete the Returning Student Request form so that we can reactivate your student account.
If you have attended any college or university since you have left UW Tacoma, you will need to submit official transcripts to the Office of Admissions for evaluation at the time of form submission. If you have attended a college, university or post-secondary school outside of the U.S., please submit official transcripts from that school, along with a translation if the transcript is not in English, and a course-by-course evaluation from AACRAO or a NACES approved educational credentialing service such as WES or FIS. UW Tacoma does not require transcripts from UW (Seattle) or UW Bothell.
If you have not attended UW Tacoma for a number of years, you may be required to submit all of your educational transcripts from your previous schools.
After we process your Returning Student Request form, you will receive an email from our office to confirm your enrollment for the specified quarter.
Be advised that you may not necessarily be readmitted under your previous residency classification. We highly suggest that you verify your tuition statement for accurate rates and fees. Also, be prepared to complete any required documents in order to correct your classification with the Residency Office.
Go to Step Three to confirm your enrollment and pay your Enrollment Confirmation Fee.
When you are ready, confirm your enrollment for the quarter which you wish to return to the UW Tacoma.
You will be required to pay a non-refundable Enrollment Confirmation Fee of $60. You will not be able to register for classes until this step is complete.
After you receive an offer to return, log into MyUW to look for any holds that may prevent you from registering.
These could be placed on your account for tuition and fees still owed from a prior quarter, behavioral holds, departmental holds related to satisfactory academic progress, or any other holds associated with blocking registration until you take the required action.
We encourage you to resolve all registration holds, if any, on your account before proceeding to Step Five.
To prepare for your transition to campus, meet with your academic advisor to plan your class schedule for your return quarter. Click the button below to locate your academic advisor.
Remember to check MyUW for information about registering for classes. Matriculated students readmitted to the University via the Returning Student process do not register for classes until Registration Period 2.
Do you need assistance?
If you need help with the form or the enrollment confirmation fee, please email reguwt@uw.edu.
For all other questions, contact an academic advisor.
- Pre-major/first-year students should connect with an advisor in University Academic Advising.
- If you were declared in a major, contact your program's academic advisor.
Reinstatement Petition
Students dropped for low academic standing must complete a reinstatement petition with their academic advisor. Those who have not enrolled for two or more quarters at UW Tacoma must submit a Returning Student Form in addition to being reinstated. Students dropped from UW Tacoma for low academic standing are required to sit out one quarter unless exceptional circumstances exist.
Reinstatement requires approval of the student's academic program or the Reinstatement Committee for pre-major students. To be considered for reinstatement, students must submit a Returning Student Form and a complete reinstatement petition to their academic advisor three weeks prior to the start of the quarter. Reinstatement decisions must be finalized one week prior to the start of the requested quarter of reinstatement.
Learn more about registration eligibility.
Additional Information
Students who need or have received financial aid previously should consult with the the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Students who have a financial hold on their account or need assistance in navigating an outstanding debt should contact Student Fiscal Services.
If you do not have a "smart card" Husky ID card, or no longer have your ID card, you may get a new one from the Office of the Registrar. Please review information about the Husky ID Card or send an email to reguwt@uw.edu with additional questions.
Students who have provided proof of immunity when they previously attended the University of Washington may not need to re-submit them again.
Click here to review details about all required immunizations. If there are any questions, please contact the Immunity Verification Program directly.
Be aware that the UW G Suite and/or UW Office 365 email & productivity platform account(s) and data that you create with your UW email address are temporary and will expire when you graduate and/or separate from the UW. In many cases, access expires after you are not enrolled for two consecutive quarters, excluding summer quarter, which aligns with the rules for enrollment eligibility. When you are no longer a student, you can continue to sign in with your UW NetID, and you can forward your UW email address to your own personal email address.
Returning UW Tacoma students may register for classes during Registration Period 2. Prior to your registration date, you should check your registration eligibility to verify that you do not have any registration restrictions that will not allow you to register for classes when your registration period begins.
Be advised that students returning to the University may not necessarily be return under their previous residency classification. It is highly suggested that you check your tuition statement to ensure the tuition rate and fees are charged correctly. Students should be prepared to complete any necessary application and documents required to correct their classification with the Office of the Registrar at UW Tacoma. For information about residency, click here.
Students who have graduated either from the UW Tacoma or from another institution may return in a new admission status or as a summer-only non-matriculated student. The appropriate application for the corresponding new status must be completed and submitted to the appropriate office (application fees may apply).
- Students wanting to complete another undergraduate degree will need to apply as a post-baccalaureate student through the Office of Admissions.
- Students who want to pursue a graduate degree or admission as a graduate non-matriculated student will need to apply through the appropriate academic department.
