FAQ

What is the Academic Calendar and where I can find it?

The Academic Calendar displays important dates within the semester (start of term, registration, campus closures, end of term, etc.). It can be found on the Office of the Registrar's webpage under Academic Calendar. Dates are subject to change without prior notification so continue to check the college website for the latest information.

What is CUNYfirst?

CUNY’s Fully Integrated Resources & Services Tool, known officially as CUNYfirst, is the enterprise resource solution that allows CUNY students to move seamlessly through any and all CUNY campuses as they pursue their higher education careers as well as connecting faculty and staff to tools to support their processes.

How do I claim my CUNYfirst account?

New student users can activate their CUNYfirst account by logging onto the York College website and select "Logins" on the top right corner. Select the "CUNYfirst" tile under Quick Links. Then select "New User" under CUNY Login Account Management and begin the activation process.

How do I update my contact information in CUNYfirst?

Students can view and update some of their information (Preferred Name, Other/Preferred Email, Home/Business Phone, Home/Mailing/Business Address, Emergency Contacts, Ethnicity) directly using their CUNYfirst Student Center. Click on the Profile tile in Student Center, then click the appropriate link to update.

Some details such as legal name change, SSN update, and Permanent Address cannot be updated directly by the student in CUNYfirst. For such changes an applicable Registrar form, supporting documentation and photo identification must be uploaded to the York College Registrar Portal. The Office of the Registrar will update CUNYfirst within a few business days after the completed application is received.

What is Schedule Builder?

Schedule Builder is a real-time class scheduling tool that enables students to plan and register for courses that meet their requirements and other needs. With this tool, students can easily arrange class schedules that fit their personal and academic lives.

What is DegreeWorks?

DegreeWorks is a web-based academic advisement and degree audit program. DegreeWorks generates an easy to read degree audit that applies courses from a student's transcript directly to DegreeWorks to fulfill degree requirements for a student's general education, writing intensive, major, and minor as defined in the college bulletin. It is recommended that a student check their DegreeWorks audit monthly due to updating of records.

Who do I contact if there is an issue with DegreeWorks?

To submit questions about DegreeWorks or report any issues experienced with DegreeWorks, visit the York College DegreeWorks support webpage or send an email to degreeworks@york.cuny.edu.

How do I request my official transcript?

An official transcript can be requested online through Parchment, the service provider for all CUNY institutions

How do I request my unofficial transcript?

Unoffical transcripts can be downloaded using the CUNYfirst Student Center. In Student Center, click on the Transcript and Verification tile. Click the Submit button. Click on the View All Requested Reports tab/page. Check off the box that shows a Request Date of today, then click on the View Report button. Pop-ups must be enabled on the browser to open any PDF from CUNYfirst.

How do I obtain an official Enrollment Verification letter?

Students may request an official enrollment verification letter with a signature and official college seal from the Office of the Registrar during In Person office hours. Students may also email our office at registrar@york.cuny.edu if unable to come into the office to request an enrollment verification letter. When making the request via email include your full name, CUNYfirst emplid# and attach a valid photo ID (ex: driver's license). Also include where the letter should be sent, whether to an official business email address or mailed to the student's home address.

Students can also download an unofficial letter in their CUNYfirst Student Center. In Student Center, click on the Transcript and Verification tile. Click on the Enrollment Verification link on the left, choose York College within the Academic Institution field. Select each check box for specified additional information to be included on the letter. Select the desired term, then click the Submit button. This letter is not official since it will not have the college seal or the signature of the Registrar.

What is an ePermit?

ePermit facilitates the process of matriculated CUNY students obtaining permission from York College (the Home College) to register for courses offered at other CUNY College (Host Campus). In order to receive permission from their Home College, a student must meet certain requirements for eligibility. The ePermit application is accessible through the student's CUNYfirst account.

Please note that approval of an ePermit by the Home College does not automatically register a student for a course nor does issuance of an ePermit guarantee enrollment at the Host College. Once approved, the student must register directly through their Schedule Builder at the time of the assigned enrollment appointment of the Host College. 

What are the requirements to apply for an ePermit?

• Students must currently be matriculated at York College with all immunization requirements met.
• Students must have a cumulative and major GPA of 2.0 or above.
• Students must not have any negative service indicators on their records. (This includes Advisement and Bursar holds.)
• Students must have completed any required prerequisites for the York College equivalent course.
• Students must have completed one full semester at York College unless the student is CUNY BA, Macaulay Honor or ROTC student.

Can I apply for an ePermit at any time?

No, an ePermit can only be applied for once enrollment has been made available at York College. The ePermit application process closes seven days before classes begin for the semester. If students have any questions or concerns contact the Office of the Registrar ePermit Unit at epermit@york.cuny.edu.

Does an ePermit only apply to CUNY schools? Can I take an ePermit at a Non-CUNY school?

Yes, an ePermit only applies to CUNY Colleges. However, a student can apply for a Non CUNY permit by contacting the ePermit Unit at epermit@york.cuny.edu or by going to York College Office of the Registrar Forms webpage to download the Application to Attend a Non-CUNY Institution. The back of the application has the eligibility requirements needed to apply. 

How do I apply for an ePermit?

1. Log into your CUNYfirst account. Click on “Student Center”.
2. Select the “Course Planning and Enrollment” tile.
3. Click on the “Browse Course Catalog” and select “ePermit”.
4. From the ePermit drop down click on “Add ePermit with Equiv Courses”. Then select “York College”
5. In the Search for Courses field enter the Course and Course Number (example Accounting 101 or ACC 101) at York College you want to take on ePermit. Then click Enter.
6. Click on the desired course and course number.
7. Click on “fetch equivalent CUNY courses” to search for the equivalent courses across CUNY campuses.
8. Review the listing of Host campuses before selecting ONE Host campus. 
9. Then select the Host Term, Host Session and in the Request ePermit slide the bar from No to a Yes.
10. Once you have your selection click on “apply for ePermit” located at the top right of the page to begin the application request process.
11. The application page will appear and you will need to select the "Permit Type" from the drop down. Please review how the course will fulfill your degree requirement in Degree Works. Then select your ePermit type from the below options.
    - CUNY Baccalaureate-students are in an individualized program within CUNY
    - Major Elective- a course that fulfills the students major/minor requirement
    - General Elective- a course that does not fulfill the student Pathways or major/minor requirement, but may fulfill general elective requirements
    - Pathways College Option-course used to fulfill the general education requirement
    - Pathways Flexible Core-course used to fulfill the general education requirement
    - Pathways Required Core-course used to fulfill the general education requirement
    - Study Abroad-a course taken through the Host College at a foreign institution
12. In the Comments field, the student can leave a message for the ePermit Unit. This field is optional.
13. Then click “Submit” at the top right-hand side of the application.
14. After submission, refresh and go to My ePermits. Slide the view permits from N to Y.
    The permit status will change to Initiated. 
15. ePermit status will be updated with a decision from York College’s ePermit Unit. Please be aware that during high volume periods processing may be delayed. Periodically log into your CUNYfirst account to check the status of the ePermit.

Additional Information:

• The host campus will assign your enrollment appointment in your CUNYfirst Student Center account. If you do not receive a communication or are unable to view your enrollment appointment, it will be necessary for you to contact the Host Campus ePermit Unit.
• If you are unable to enroll for the approved course once you have been granted permission to register by the Host campus you will need to contact the Host campus ePermit Unit for assistance.
• To communicate with the ePermit Unit at York College you can send an email to epermit@york.cuny.edu from your York or CUNY email and include your First and Last Name along with your CUNYfirst emplid#. Emails are responded to in the order in which they are received.

How can I check the status of my ePermit after I have applied?

1. Login to CUNYfirst
2. Go to your “Student Center” and click on the “Course Planning and Enrollment” tile
3. Select ePermit (from the menu on the left)
4. Go to “My ePermit” in the left navigation, then click on the slide bar of the Term and York College
5. Select “Search ePermit”
6. All ePermit applications for the selected term will display with status and decision
7. Click on the course you’d like to review the status
8. Select “Continue”

The ePermit application will appear and a comment from the ePermit Unit at York College will be noted in the eRegistrar Comments field. 

If the status has been updated to “Approved” click on the radio button in the left column to review the decision. The decision will contain the course equivalent at York College and the credits that will transfer upon completion. If approved at the host campus they will assign your enrollment appointment in your CUNYfirst Student Center account. If you do not receive a communication or unable to view your enrollment appointment, it will be necessary for you to contact the Host Campus ePermit Unit.

If the status has been updated to “Denied” click on the radio button in the left column next to review the decision, read the comments, make the correction and resubmit another application.

How do I register for an ePermit I was approved for?

The student should receive notification via their enrollment appointment in the CUNYfirst Student Center account from the Host campus. If the student has not received notification within 5 business days after an approval from York College the student should inquire at the Host College. To register for the course just go into your CUNYfirst -Student Center-Scheduler Builder and register the same way you do at York College except the host campus must be the Host institution.

If I have a hold on my record can I apply for an ePermit?

If there is a negative service indicator (Stop or Hold) on your record, the ePermit will be denied and instructed on what to do to clear the stop or hold with the office that placed it on your record. You will have to request the office that placed the hold to remove the hold from your record before you can re-apply for the ePermit.

How many courses can I take on ePermit?

There is no limit to the number of ePermits a student may take. Students can take a combination of both ePermit and York College courses up to the maximum of 18 credits. Any student wishing to exceed 18 credits for a particular term must petition the Committee on Academic Policy and Standards(CAPS) to obtain permission for excess credits.

Can I repeat a course on ePermit?

Courses can be repeated. A course on ePermit, will only receive credit for the course once. Both grades are calculated in the student's GPA. 

However, to qualify for CUNY’s Forgiveness (F grade) policy the repeated course must be taken at the same college in which the original course was failed. For example, a student who fails ENG 125 at York College, must retake ENG 125 at York College and earn a grade of “C” or better to qualify. If ENG 125 was failed at York College and retaken, the transfer equivalent of ENG 125, on ePermit at another CUNY school then it will not qualify for the CUNY F Grade Policy; the failing grade will continue to calculate towards their cumulative GPA at York College.

Which school do I pay the tuition to for an ePermit?

Payments for the tuition of the ePermit course is made to the Home College (York), NOT the Host College. York College will add a billing code (PERM) to the enrollment to reflect the amount of credits of the ePermit course at the Host College ( ex: PERM 3 is for a 3-credit course). Courses for which material fees are applied or any late registration fees for enrollment are charged, and must be paid by the student to the Host College. Students eligible for Financial Aid are to apply through their Home College (York) and are responsible for meeting any credit load requirement.

How can I cancel an ePermit course?

To make sure you are not billed for courses you do not intend to take, please drop them prior to the first day of the term/session. In order to successfully cancel an ePermit course, students must drop the course at the host campus, cancel the ePermit via CUNYfirst and allow the ePermit Unit at York College three business days to process the cancellation. If you remain enrolled and the ePermit Unit at York College is unable to cancel the ePermit you may incur a bill.

To cancel an ePermit application:

1. Login to CUNYfirst
2. Go to your “Student Center” and click on the “Course Planning and Enrollment” tile
3. Select “ePermit” (from the menu on the left)
4. Select “My ePermits”
5. The Term (Summer, Fall or Spring and Academic Year) and York College will appear. Change the view permits from N to Y. Then select the ePermit you want to cancel.
6. Then select the ePermit that you wish to cancel then click on Cancel ePermit
7. At the top right of the form click on CANCEL.

The ePermit will be cancelled and the ePermit Unit will receive notification to process the cancellation. The cancellation can take up to three business days to process.

If I am having a problem with ePermit who can I contact?

If you are having trouble with ePermit, please email us at epermit@york.cuny.edu or connect with one of our representatives during Registrar office hours.

What does FERPA stand for?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) also known as, the Buckley Amendment is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate and misleading data through informal and formal hearings. The Act applies to all institutions that are recipients of federal aid administered by the Secretary of Education. Students who are currently enrolled or formerly enrolled regardless of their age or financial dependency status are protected under FERPA. For more information, read the CUNY FERPA Notification to Students.

What is directory information?

Directory information can be defined as the following: students name, attendance dates, home address, present address, email address, phone listing, date and place of birth, photograph, status (full/part-time and or undergraduate/graduate), degree program, credits completed, major, student activities and sports, previous school attended, and degrees, honors and awards received. This information may be released to anyone unless restricted by the written authorization of the student. If you wish to restrict this information, please complete the CUNY Directory Information Non-Disclosure Form located on the Office of the Registrar’s webpage under the Forms tab.

What can I do to prevent my directory information from being released?

Students who wish to keep their directory information from being released must fill out the CUNY Directory Information Non-Disclosure Form. By filling out this form, you may request that any or all directory information not be released without your prior written consent. You can submit this form to the Office of the Registrar via the document upload. 

If I would like a parent, spouse, and or family member to have access to my record, what form

should I fill out?

If students wish to provide other individuals access to their record, the student must complete the FERPA Authorization Form and upload the form along with photo identification to the Office of the Registrar portal. The person the student is providing access to must provide proper photo identification upon requesting information.

If I am a parent of a college student, do I have the right to see my child's education records,

especially if I pay the bill?

The rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student, once the student turns 18 years old or enters a postsecondary institution at any age. However, although the rights under FERPA have now transferred to the student, a school may disclose information from an "eligible student's" education records to the parents of the student, without the student's consent, if the student is a dependent for tax purposes. Neither the age of the student nor the parent's status as a custodial parent is relevant. If a student is claimed as a dependent by either parent for tax purposes, then either parent may have access under this provision.

What if my child is a minor and he or she is taking classes at a local college while still in high school,

do I have rights?

If a student is attending a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA have transferred to the student. However, in a situation where a student is enrolled in both a high school and a post-secondary institution (i.e. College Now and York Early College Academy students), the two schools may exchange information on that student. If the student is under 18, the parents still retain the rights under FERPA at the high school and may inspect and review any records sent by the postsecondary institution to the high school.

What if I want to give an employer, a parent, or third party access to my record?

If a student decides to allow a person and/or third-party access to their student record, the student must complete the FERPA - Permission for Access to Educational Records form. Students can submit their completed form to the Office of the Registrar document upload.

Can College Officials disclose part(s) of my record without my consent?

If yes, under what circumstances?

There are several exceptions to FERPA's general prior consent rule that are set forth. One exception is the disclosure of "directory information" if the school follows certain procedures set forth in FERPA. Under section § 99.31 of FERPA, students are able to review the various exceptions/ circumstances as per FERPA regulations.

What should I do if I notice any discrepancies in my student record?

If there are any discrepancies with the student's file, the student may ask the college to amend their record. Students should submit to the Registrar, Dean, Head of the Academic Department, or other appropriate officials, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. If the records are not maintained by the college official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

All requests shall be granted or denied in writing within 45 days of receipt. If the request is granted, you will be notified of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the request is denied or not responded to within 45 days, you may appeal to the college's FERPA appeals officer. Additional information regarding the appeals procedures will be provided to you if a request is denied.

Who should I contact if I have any questions or concerns?

Students can contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu.

When do I apply for graduation?

Students are required to apply for graduation on CUNYfirst one semester prior to their expected final semester. See the College Academic Calendar PDF for exact application deadline date. Students should seek advisement from their major department prior to applying for graduation, in order to ensure that they have fulfilled the required courses for their major and are using the correct catalog.

How many credits do I need in order to apply for graduation?

In order to apply for graduation, undergraduate students must have completed a minimum of 90 credits (Senior). Within 2 weeks of the end of every semester, all new seniors are made eligible to apply online for graduation.

Graduate level students will be able to apply once they have completed more than half of their program (students in the MSW accelerated cohort must apply within a few months of admission).

How do I apply for graduation?

Students can apply for graduation on CUNYfirst via their Student Center following the steps below:

Step 1: Sign your CUNYfirst account and select the "Student Center" tile.

Step 2: Scroll down to select the "Graduation and Transcript" tile.

Step 3: A) Click on the Application for Graduation link on the left hand side menu. B) Scroll down to York College and the applicable section that lists your current major. Click on the "No" radio button so that is it changes to an organge "Yes". C) Click on the black "Apply” button.

Step 4: The Application for Graduation page will display any Expected Graduation Terms that are available. You will click the Next button in the upper righthand corner to navigate through these screens and review your information (Primary Name, Home Address, Email/Phone). Note: The application does not allow you to edit any of your information on the page. If you notice that any information displayed is incorrect, you must correct it on your Student Center Profile after submitting the graduation application.

If any of your contact information was incorrect, go to your Student Center Profile to update. The diploma is shipped to a student’s Home address on file. The Primary Name can only be updated by the Office of the Registrar once a student has uploaded their Personal Data Change Form along with the necessary supporting documentation to the Office of the Registrar document upload.

Step 5: Click the Black “Submit” button in the upper righthand corner to submit the application. A small dialog box will appear to confirm the submission. Click the “Yes” button to officially submit your application for graduation.

Once you have submitted your application, the Application for Graduation page will now show that you have Applied for Graduation. (A student’s status will remain as Applied until the Degree has been Awarded, unless they do not qualify and the application is Denied.)

What happens after I apply for graduation?

After you successfully submit your application for graduation, the Office of the Registrar will review your York College transcript and DegreeWorks audit to identify your outstanding degree requirements. This Graduation Checklist will be emailed to your York email account prior to the start of this applied term. In the event that you applied on time and have not received this Graduation Audit prior to the start of your final term, please contact the Graduation Unit in the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu. You should consult your major department if you need assistance with advisement.

What are the degree requirements for my major?

The degree requirements are listed in the York College Bulletin (Undergraduate and Graduate) which is available online. You may also access your degree requirements on Degree Works (the student advisement audit system through the CUNYfirst "Student Center"). Bulletins begin in the fall semester and end in the spring semester. Students who become matriculated in the summer term must follow the fall catalog of that year.

The General Education and Writing Intensive requirements are taken from the bulletin which is in effect at the time of matriculation if enrollment was continuous without any break in attendance. The requirements for your Major are taken from the bulletin which is in effect at the time the major was declared if enrollment was continuous without any break in attendance.

What is the Major Residency requirement?

At least half of the credits of most* major programs must be taken at York College. (*Exceptions include: Accounting which requires 15 credits in Accounting courses must be taken at York, Finance which states 15 credits in Finance courses at York, and Nursing majors which states 25 credits in Nursing courses at York.)

Repeated courses and courses taken outside of York College through ePermit do not count towards residency.

What is the College Residency requirement?

Students are required to complete at least 40 credits at York College for residency. To graduate with honors, at least 56 credits must be taken at York College.

How many Liberal Arts credits are required for graduation?

To earn Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Business Administration degrees, students are required to complete 30 credits in Liberal Arts courses.  To earn a Bachelor of Science degree, students are required to complete 60 credits in Liberal Arts courses. To earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, students are required to complete 90 credits in Liberal Arts courses.

This is a New York State Education Department requirement that MUST be completed.

What GPA is required for graduation?

Most majors require a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 for major and overall GPA. Clinical Laboratory Science majors require a 2.5 GPA. Social Work majors require a 2.7 GPA. Occupational Therapy, Public Health, all Teacher Education majors, and all Graduate-level programs require a 3.0 GPA.

What grade point average (GPA) does an undergraduate need in order to graduate with honors?

To Graduate with Honors the following criteria apply:

Cum Laude: 3.500 - 3.699.
Magna Cum Laude: 3.700 - 3.849.
Summa Cum Laude: 3.850 - 4.000.

Students must meet the College's residency requirement of 56 credits to be eligible for these Latin Honors.

Computation of Graduation Honors will be based on all grades of A+ through F. NC, R, FIN, applicable WU grades and all failing grades will be calculated as F grades, including repeated courses with the Exclude Credit and GPA repeat code (CUNY F-grade policy).

How many majors and minors can I declare?

There is a limit of two majors and/or minors a student can declare. However, a course cannot be used to complete two different requirements (major/minor). For example, an Aviation Management major could not complete a Business Administration minor because each requires BUS 201, BUS 283, ECON 102, ECON 103. If a student chooses to major in disciplines offering different types of degree (for example History [BA] and Biology [BS]), the student will only earn one degree based on their primary major.

Additionally, minors and secondary majors are optional. Students are NOT required to declare a minor or secondary major to earn a bachelor’s degree at York College. Courses taken to complete them may not count as eligible towards a student’s full-time course load for NY State Financial Aid (TAP/PTAP/Excelsior).

Can I earn two degrees at the same time?

No. Students with more than one declared major will only earn one degree based on their primary major. Occupational Therapy is the only dual degree program offered by York College in which graduates will receive two degrees (Bachelor of Science and Master of Science).

Will the diploma show my major?

Bachelor's diplomas do not show the major, only the degree type.  The transcript will display any declared major(s) and minor(s).  Master's diplomas will show the major and the degree type.

The degree requirements have changed since I entered the York College. Will that affect my graduation?

Possibly. If a student stops attending the college for more than one consecutive semester, that student will be required to follow the current bulletin for Pathways General Education requirements upon readmission. If a student stops attending the college for more than two consecutive semesters that student will also be required to follow the current bulletin for major requirements upon readmission. Continuing students who have not missed any semesters can continue to follow the bulletin for the academic year in which they declared their major and were matriculated.

How many credits do I need to earn a degree at York?

Undergraduate students are required to complete a minimum of 120 credits for a Bachelor's degree. Waivers of courses do not release students from acquiring the total number of credits required to earn a degree.

Graduate students must complete all required courses. Aviation (MS) 30 credits; Clinical Trial Management 36 credits; Nursing Education 45 credits; Pharmaceutical Science and Business 36 credits; Physician Assistant 87 credits; Social Work (1-year Accelerated) 36 credits, Social Work (2-year program) 62 credits.

Is it possible for me to graduate prior to completing the courses required by my declared major or minor?

No, All degree requirements for All declared majors and minors must be completed to qualify for a degree conferral.

Can I graduate if I have a temporary grade (INC/PEN) grade on my record?

No, students cannot graduate with a temporary grade on their record (INC/PEN). The graduation term would be postponed to the following term if the final grade is not received prior to the conferral date.

If the department has not submitted a grade change by the deadline reflected on the Academic Calendar PDF then the grade will lapse into a failing grade (FIN), which will affect the cumulative GPA and may negatively impact eligibility for graduation. A student’s conferral date cannot be assigned retroactively. Such students will be conferred at the end of the next term.

Can I graduate without the posting of my ePermit course?

No. All grades must be received for any course taken on ePermit whether or not the course is a degree requirement.

Can I receive a grade change after graduation?

No. Once a student has been granted a degree, this academic record is closed. Grade changes for courses taken in semesters prior to receiving the degree cannot be processed.

Any applicants for graduation who are in contact with their professor/department regarding a grade change must notify the Graduation Unit in the Office of the Registrar immediately at registrar@york.cuny.edu.

Can I improve my GPA after graduation?

No. Once the degree has been conferred onto the student’s record, the student’s academic record is closed and the degree GPA remains permanently frozen. Any additional classes taken after the conferral date will be applied towards the student's next academic record with its own separate GPA.

I missed the deadline for submitting my application for graduation online. Will I still be able to apply for that graduation term?

Yes, any student who missed the deadline and has registered for ALL degree requirements must first apply online for the next available graduation term in their CUNYfirst Student Center then contact the Graduation Unit in the Office of the Registrar (from your York email account) at registrar@york.cuny.edu one month after the start of their final semester to request that their application for graduation be switched to the current term. We will accept late applications up until one month prior to the degree conferral date. After that time, a student must apply to graduate in the following graduation term.

I applied late for the Spring graduation term, can I still attend the commencement ceremony?

Yes. Student Affairs will be notified to add a student's name to the list. A student's name may not appear in the commencement booklet depending on how late the student applied. Attending the ceremony does not mean that the student has graduated. The commencement booklet refers to all students as "Candidates" which means that students might possibly earn their degree that year. The Office of the Registrar will certify a student's graduation status after all final grades have been posted.

My major department plans to substitute or waive a major/pre-major/minor requirement, when should the department submit the request?

Ideally, the department should submit a memo to the Office of the Registrar formerly requesting this change shortly after advisement and a discussion with the student. Requests should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than one month prior to the graduation date. 

Why do I have a Registration Hold for Potential Graduate?

This hold is assigned to all applicants who are deemed okay as registered for graduation in the current term. It is a good hold to have as it indicates that you just need to complete your last set of enrolled courses to graduate. It is there to prevent future enrollment and will get removed within 5 months after a student has graduated.

Can I choose to defer my graduation to a later term?

Yes, contact the Graduation Unit in the Office of the Registrar (from your York email account) at registrar@york.cuny.edu. Provide your EMPL ID#, the semester and year in which you have currently applied, the semester and year in which you want to change it to, and a brief sentence(s) explaining the reason for the request. Alternatively, you can complete the Application to Defer Graduation form and submit it along with your photo ID to the York College Registrar Secure Document Portal. Once processed, the Registration hold and any lists which identify students as a potential graduate will be removed.

What is the difference between graduation (conferral) and commencement?

Students graduate at the point when every ALL degree requirements has have been fulfilled. There are four conferral dates each year: Fall (January 1), Winter (February 1), Spring (June 1), Summer (September 1).

Commencement is a ceremony held once a year for all candidates for graduation within that academic year. The commencement date is published on the Academic Calendar of the Spring semester.

What name will be displayed on my diploma?

Unless otherwise directed, the diploma will be ordered using the graduate’s full primary name as it appears in CUNYfirst at the time of the order, including any middle initial/name and suffix (if listed). To view your name in CUNYfirst, click on the Student Center tile. Then click on the Profile tile to view your Names on file within the Personal Details section. Click on your name and a window will open to show that full name.

Students who wish to use a different first and/or middle name instead of their primary name on file, must update their Diploma Name in their CUNYfirst Student Center Profile section. Click the + button in the Names section to add a “Diploma Name” on or before the conferral date. Graduating students will not be able to modify their Diploma Name once the degree has been conferred onto the transcript.

Students who wish to change their last name must complete a Personal Data Change Request form and upload the completed form along with photo ID and supporting documentation displaying the legal name to the Office of the Registrar document upload so that the Office of the Registrar can change the Primary Name in CUNYfirst.

Should I use a different first and/or middle name for my diploma?

Circumstances under which a student may want to avoid the use of a Diploma Name are:

• Students in professional programs with licensure may wish to avoid use of a Diploma Name that differs from the Legal Name.
• Students who intend to live, work or study outside the United States may want to exercise caution in the use of a Diploma Name, as the diploma is often used as the official document in other countries. Diploma apostille (certified copy of the diploma) can only be provided when using the student’s Legal Name.

How much does the initial diploma cost?

York College provides your first diploma upon graduation at no cost. If you should need another copy of your diploma at a later date, you will be required to purchase a duplicate diploma.

Can I pick up my diploma at the college?

There is no need to pick up a diploma at the college. All diplomas are mailed to the student’s “Home Address” listed in CUNYfirst approximately two months after the degree conferral date. Once the diplomas have been ordered, Parchment (York's diploma/transcript vendor) will send the diploma to the student’s home address identified on CUNYfirst.

Students who are moving or experiencing other extenuating circumstances can notify the Graduation Unit in the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu to inquire about a pick up option.

When can I pick up my diploma if it was shipped to the college?

Please email the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu with a copy of your photo ID to schedule a pick-up date and during the Office of the Registrar's Office hours.

If extenuating circumstances prevent the student from picking up their diploma in the Office of the Registrar, the email should specify a mailing address for the diploma to be shipped to. The diploma usually ships within 1 week of the request.

I graduated and have not received my diploma, who can I contact?

Recent graduates must wait at least 2 months for delivery of their diploma.  If the diploma has not been received two months after the graduation date, then contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu.

Will I receive my diploma if I have hold on my account?

Bursar, Financial Aid and Library holds no longer prevent the release of the diploma nor the transcript. (There are a few campus holds from Student Development and Public Safety that will prevent the release of the diploma and transcript.)

When can I request a transcript?

When placing the order, be sure to select "Hold for Degree" to prevent the transcript from being printed until after the degree is posted. Transcripts with the degree posted are typically available within 3 weeks after the graduation date.

How can I order a duplicate copy of my diploma if I misplaced the original?

There is a $30 fee per duplicate diploma requested. If ordering more than one diploma, please adjust the quantity accordingly. Information on accessing your digital diploma will be sent to you by email and mobile text (if cell phone number was provided on order) when the order is placed within 2 weeks. Printed diplomas will be mailed to the address provided within 6 weeks from order date.

Alumni who have created a Parchment account can order by logging into their Parchment Account.

Alumni who have not yet created a Parchment account can order by visiting Parchment and creating an account.

How can I order a duplicate diploma with my current legal name?

Students must complete the Personal Data Change Form and upload the necessary supporting documentation to the Office of the Registrar document upload .  After you receive confirmation from the Office of the Registrar that the name was updated in CUNYfirst, then follow the instructions on the prior question to order a Duplicate Diploma.

When can I request a letter of completion?

Once all grades have been posted in CUNYfirst, a student may formally request a letter of completion from the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu. These requests may take up to 5 business days for processing so plan accordingly. Enrollment verification letters with the degree posted on it are typically available within 2 weeks of the graduation date.

How do I stay in status?

Students will remain in status by registering for 12 or more credits every semester and maintaining a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

What happens if I go out of status?

Students that are out of status will be in the US illegally and will be reported to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Can I work on campus?

Yes, students can work on campus; however, the student may not exceed more than 20 hours per week.

Can I work off-campus?

Yes, only in your related field of study. Visit the DSO for more information.

Do I qualify for lower tuition?

No. International students pay out-of-state tuition.

Can I leave the US to visit my home country or go on vacation?

Yes. As long as classes are not in session and the I-20 is signed by the Designated School Official (DSO). If there is an emergency in your home country, please contact Michelle Sabio at msabio@york.cuny.edu for guidance.

What is readmission?

Readmission occurs when a student who has been previously enrolled at York College takes a break of two or more semesters and decides to return to the college.

What is the criteria and process to readmit?

Undergraduate students whose cumulative GPA was 2.0 or higher when last in attendance at York College can apply for readmission by downloading and completing a Readmission Application and uploading it to the Office of the Registrar document upload along with photo ID.

However, if your cumulative GPA was below a 2.0 when last in attendance at York, you must petition the Committee on Academic Policy and Standards(CAPS) for permission to readmit. Once a student's petition is reviewed, the Committee will send notification to the student of their decision.  If approved by the Committee, the student may submit a copy of the approval along with a completed Readmission application and valid photo ID to the Office of the Registrar document upload .

What can I do if I was academically dismissed?

If you did not stop attending York College but received notification that you were dismissed and wish to return, you must petition the Committee on Academic Policy and Standards (CAPS) to appeal the dismissal.  Once a student's petition is reviewed, the Committee will send a notification to the student of their decision. If approved by the Committee, the Office of the Registrar will reinstate the student in CUNYfirst within one week and the student can register for cuorses for the next semester.

Do I need to pay a fee when I readmit?

Yes. There is normally a $20 non-refundable Readmission fee.

I am a veteran who was previously a York College student.  How do I re-enroll?

Veterans that are returning students are given preference in the following ways:

• Readmission in a probationary or non-degree status will be granted to the veteran who is a former student with an unsatisfactory academic record.
• Upon their return from active duty, veterans may register even after normal registration periods end, without late fees or other penalties.
• Veterans who are matriculating students may apply to earn up to 18 credits for United States Armed Forces Institute courses in which they have passed final exams, and for other military education and training.
• Veterans returning too late to register may audit classes without charge.
• All veterans must complete the Readmission application located under the Forms tab.

When does Registration begin and end for each term?

Please review the dates published in the Academic Calendar for the appropriate term.

When do I register for classes?

Schedule Builder will display the open enrollment date to begin registering for the term listed for all eligible students. 

How can I register for my classes on CUNYfirst?

Step 1: Login to CUNYfirst to access your Student Center via the CUNYfirst Menu.

Step 2: Click on the Student Center, click the Schedule Builder tile. View CUNY's Schedule Builder Student Manual or watch CUNY's Instructional YouTube video on Scheduler Builder.

Step 3: Click on the Semester (e.g. Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027, etc.). Please be aware Winter is a session within the Spring semester.

Step 4: Courses can be added to your schedule by:

• Typing them into the Select Course field;
• Importing/selecting missing degree requirements directly from Degree Works Audit or Plan;
• Advanced Search. (e.g. searching for Spring courses, be sure to specify Regular Academic Sessions.  If you do not, the search will retrieve courses offered during Winter Sessionand Regular Spring term.)

Pathways Core Requirement Designation, Session (Winter), Keywords (instructor name, course title).  The more information provided in the Advanced Search, the more specific the results. Once the Search button is clicked, the results will appear in the right.  Check off the box next to the course to add, then click on the Add Selected Course button on the bottom left-hand side.

Step 5: Block out times on the Calendar when courses cannot be taken to create the ideal schedule.

Step 6: Clicking on Class Details toggle button, will allow Schedule Builder to show detailed information on each course that is selected:

Step 7: The available class schedules will show.  If there is more than one schedule available, use the arrows to see available options.

View the calendar to see the overall dates for courses at the bottom of the page and there will also be an indicator if some classes are online.

Narrow down the multiple schedule results by pinning a specific class/sections. Click the course on the grid to pin that specific section. A red pin will appear. Schedule Builder will show very schedule combination that works with the section pinned and the other classes selected. Unclick that a section see all of the sections for that course again.

Once the schedule is finalized, click the blue Continue button to proceed to Enrollment.

Step 8: Click Do Actions to Enroll:

If enrolled, a "Success" or “Message” will appear in the far-right column next to each course. (The DegreeWorks audit will display this enrollment within 1-2 days.) If the word “Success” or “Message” does not appear, the enrollment has not been processed. If enrollment was unsuccessful, an “Error” message will appear in the far-right column next to the course with an explanation as to why the enrollment was not completed.

On the Select Courses tab of Schedule Builder, a blue rectangle with the word “Enrolled” will appear next to each course that a student is currently enrolled in for the given term. In the example below, the student is successfully enrolled in HS 401, but is not enrolled in ENG 125 as shown in the screenshot. Student has initiated the process by selecting ENG 125 (Step 4), but the student must complete the process (Steps 5-8).

How do I swap courses?

Please follow the steps on pages 25 and 26 of the Schedule Builder guide or view a brief CUNY instructional YouTube video on how to swap courses. Any changes made on the first day of classes for the semester or after will incur fees. After the end of the first week of classes, students will no longer be able to add courses for that term.

How can I drop or withdraw from a course?

Please follow the steps on page 24 of the Schedule Builder guide or view this brief CUNY instructional YouTube video on how to drop a courses.  Any changes made on the first day of classes for the semester or after will incur fees.  Drops made after the first week of the semester will receive a withdrawal grade: WD grade if dropped in the second and third week of the semester; W grade if dropped after the third week of the semester up until the deadline published on the Academic Calendar.

What should I do about the message I received when I registered?

Scenario 1: A student attempting to enroll in a course in which they have not enrolled or completed all of the required prerequisites in a prior semester: The system will not allow the student to register for the course. This error message is will appear.

If an incoming transfer student istransferring in the pre-requisites and receives the error message above, contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@york.cuny.edu.

Any continuing student who is unable to enroll and believes to have the appropriate prerequisites for the course should contact the academic department for the discipline to receive permission to register for the course.

Scenario 2: If a student enrolls in a course for the next semester while currently enrolled in its required prerequisite in the current semester, the system will allow the student to register for the course, but will provide the following message about conditionally satisfying the pre-requisite.

If the student has not successfully completed the required prerequisites within 2-3 weeks of the first day of classes of that next semester, then the Office of the Registrar will drop the student from the course and any connected corequisite during the Post Enrollment Requisite Check (PERC). The Office of the Registrar will send the student an email to inform them the process has occurred. An incomplete grade in the prior term is not considered fulfillment for a prerequisite during the PERC process. The PERC process is run 2-3 weeks before the start of the Spring and Fall semesters.

Scenario 3: A student registering for a course for which they have already received credit will receive the message below.

The system does not prevent students from enrolling in a repeated course. Students cannot receive additional credit for a repeated course and it will not count towards the student's full-time eligibility for NY State Financial Aid (TAP, PTAP, Excelsior) unless the student’s declared major has a minimum grade requirement for the specific course.

Scenario 4: Student must contact the department for Department Permission in CUNYfirst so that the student can register for the course.

Scenario 5: Students attempting to register for a closed section will receive the following error message.

Student should enroll in the wait list if available for the course.

How do I know when courses are closed on CUNYfirst?

On the registration page, students will find a legend informing them of sections that are open, closed, or if they need to waitlist. Below is the legend:

Can I register for classes, if I have a hold on my account?

It will depend on the hold. Certain Negative Service indicators (holds) will prevent students from adding classes. Schedule Builder will indicate if a student has a hold that will prevent registration.

Holds are also visible in the Student Center page under the Tasks and Holds tile. It will display all active holds assigned within CUNY. Holds assigned by other CUNY schools will not impact your registration within York Collegeunless they are University holds. Students can click each hold and a dialog box will open displaying additional details about the hold as shown below, but it will not show the service impact of the hold.

I would like to re-take a course, is this possible?

Yes. If a student has passed a course and want to re-take the course for a better grade, they can re-take the course. Students will not receive credit for re-taking the course.  However, both grades will always appear on the student's transcript and computed into the cumulative GPA. In addition, if receiving financial aid,the student should inquire how re-taking a course can impact aid.

How do I apply for a second degree at York College?

York graduates must submit a transfer application to apply for a second degree with the Admissions Office.  Please contact the Office of the Admissions at admissions@york.cuny.edu for any additional questions about second degree.

What is Second Degree Residency?

At least 75% of the course requirements of the major program of the second degree must be completed at York during the second degree.  This generally prohibits the student from earning two degrees from the same academic department.

How many transfer credits will I receive from my first degree?

Students will receive 80 transfer credits from their first degree to be applied towards their second degree. Even if courses were taken during a first degree at York College, they will be considered as transfer credits during their second degree.

How many credits will I need to take to earn my second degree?

Students must complete at least 40 credits at York College during their second degree for College Residency. Depending on courses transferred from the first degree and the major requirements of the second degree, it is possible that the student may need to take more than 40 credits to complete this second degree.

Would I be able to make copies of any documents on file?

No. Once student records are sent from Admissions to the Office of the Registrar, all documents become College property.

Who has access to my record?

You as the student have access and any other person, company and/ or official you give signed authorization using the FERPA - Permission for Access to Educational Records.

How is a student's transcript evaluated?

Transcripts are evaluated by the Office of the Registrar-Transfer Credit Unit upon receipt of the student's application from the Admissions Office.

In general, credit is granted for a course which is considered equivalent to a course at York and for which the student received the grade of "D" or better at a CUNY school, or "C" or better at any other accredited non-CUNY institution.

What does "BL" (Blanket Credit) mean?

Blanket credit is assigned when York College does not have a specific course equivalent to the one the student had took. The student will still be awarded the transfer credits for that course. "BL", "998" and "999" courses can be re-evaluated by the appropriate academic department if the student provides the course description and or syllabus.

Blanket credit can only be used towards general electives for the 120-credit degree and the NY State Liberal Arts requirements (if the blanket credit course was Liberal Arts). Blanket cannot be applied to fulfill any other degree requirement.

How do I get my transcripts re-evaluated?

Students should contact the Office of the Registrar Transfer Unit at transfereval@york.cuny.edu. Re-evaluations may be required if the major was changed.

What is CLEP?

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) offers exams in which a student can earn college credit upon successful completion. This is an external program outside of York College that is managed by College Board, a not-for-profit organization. Students can receive a up to 16 credits through Special Examinations such as CLEP.

How do I register for CLEP?

Students should review the York College CLEP Exam equivalency table for a list of CLEP exams that are equivalent to York College courses. While the College Board offers many different subjects for CLEP exams, only the exam listed on York's CLEP Exam Equivalency table will lead to credit at York College.  Do not choose an exam if you have already received credit for the equivalent York College course, as you cannot earn credit twice for the same course.

To get more information about these exams, visit the CLEP website. Before you register, it is strongly recommended that you contact the Office of the Registrar Transfer Unit at transfereval@york.cuny.edu to confirm that the exam will be accepted for credit.

When registering for the exam, select York College (Code 2992) as your Designated Institution so that your official transcript will be sent to us and your credits can be awarded.

What score is considered passing for CLEP?

Most CLEP exams have an ACE recommended passing score of 50 to receive credit. World/Foreign Language exams require a higher score. Visit the CLEP website for a list of credit-granting scores for each CLEP exam.

What is the Waitlist?

Waitlist is a course registration feature in Schedule Builder. If a class is full, you can add yourself to the waitlist in Schedule Builder. When a seat becomes available, the system will automatically enroll you from the waitlist.

How do I know if a class has a Waitlist?

When searching for classes in Schedule Builder, sections that are closed and have a waitlist, will have “Wait Listed” on the right-hand side in orange. Another view is in class details, where sections with a waitlist will have an orange triangle icon toward the left-hand side. The class sections can be selected and added to your shopping cart.

How do I get on the Waitlist?

Follow the same steps as enrolling in an open course in Schedule Builder. Since the section is closed, when you select enroll, you will be added to the waitlist. A message confirming you have been added to the waitlist will be displayed, along with your position on the waitlist.

I am on the waitlist. Now what?

Throughout the day, CUNYfirst will look for classes that have an open seat. It will run a process (called auto enrollment) that selects the next eligible student and enrolls him or her into the class. As students drop the class, the system will not let other students jump ahead of you and other waitlisted students. You should also check CUNYfirst often to see if you have been enrolled.

Will I be notified when I am auto-enrolled from the waitlist?

Once you are automatically enrolled from the waitlist, an email message will be generated confirming your enrollment in the class. This email will be sent to your school email address.

How can I use the waitlist if I’m in one class section but prefer another section?

Use the Swap feature in Schedule Builder. Choose the class you’re currently enrolled in and the closed class you want on Schedule Builder. For the class you are currently enrolled in, select the garbage can symbol, then move forward to the next page to enroll. This action will not drop you from the class you are enrolled in, and it will add you to the waitlist for the section you want. If a seat becomes available, depending on your position, the system will enroll you in your preferred class and drop the original one, ensuring you don’t lose your seat.

What if I’m on a waitlist and the semester is about to start?

You will remain on the waitlist throughout the late registration period. All waitlists will be closed on the last day to add a course. Please note that any registration that occurs once the semester begins will incur late registration fees. Please refer to the academic calendar for the waitlist deadline.

What are the chances of being auto-enrolled from the waitlist?

Using the waitlist is an excellent strategy to improve your schedule. It might help you to get classes that you want or need. However, it is not guaranteed you’ll be enrolled if no one drops the class(es) you want. It is always good to have a Plan B.

How do I know my position on the waitlist?

Once added to the waitlist, the system will tell you your position on the waitlist. You can keep track of your position on the waitlist by checking in Schedule Builder, or by viewing your class schedule in your Student Center on CUNYfirst.

Can I waitlist for more than one section of the same course?

Yes, you can waitlist for more than one section of the same course. However, you can only waitlist up to twelve (12) credits. If you’re already enrolled in one section, please use the Swap feature to waitlist for a different section that better fits your schedule.

Will I be charged tuition for being on a waitlist?

No, you won’t be charged tuition while on the waitlist. You’ll only be responsible for tuition and fees for any courses you are auto-enrolled in from the waitlist. Be sure to monitor your CUNYfirst account frequently so that you don’t miss any important payment deadlines.

How do I remove myself from a waitlist?

You can remove yourself from a waitlist by using the drop feature in Schedule Builder. You would drop the waitlisted course the same way you would drop a course that you are registered for in Schedule Builder.

Why can’t I waitlist for a class?

Not all classes have a waitlist. For example, cross-listed courses or those with co-requisites are not eligible. You also can’t waitlist if:

• You lack the prerequisite or corequisite courses or meet specific restrictions (e.g., Major Standing, etc.).
• You have a negative service indicator (hold) on your account (e.g., Bursar Hold, etc.).
• It is not yet your enrollment appointment time.
• You’re already at the twelve (12) credit waitlist limit.
• You’re already enrolled in the course but are not using the Swap feature.

Why am I not being auto enrolled from the waitlist?

You won’t be auto enrolled from the waitlist if:

• You lack the prerequisite or corequisite courses or meet specific restrictions (e.g., Major Standing, etc.).
• You have a negative service indicator (hold) on your account (e.g., Bursar Hold, etc.).
• The class conflicts with another on your schedule.
• Enrolling would exceed your credit limit.
• You’re already enrolled in another section of the same course.
• Reserved seats are allocated for a specific group of students.