Returning after a hiatus from your studies is exciting. It can also be overwhelming. Whether you are returning to complete your bachelor’s degree or want to pursue a sequential second bachelor’s degree, we are here to help you as you make your transition.
Return to the College
How long has it been?
If you’ve been away from Indiana University for at least two regular semesters (fall/spring), but it has not been eight years since you began your studies, you must submit an Undergraduate Status Update form in order to get clearance for registration. After you submit the form, you will be contacted by the College Recorder’s Office about your registration status. Be sure to also talk with your academic advisor in the College before enrolling.
If it has been eight or more years since you first enrolled, a review of your record will be conducted. This process is referred to as an 8-Year Review. An 8-Year Review will determine your remaining requirements prior to the start of your first semester back. Each student’s case is reviewed individually. The process involves multiple offices on campus. Please be aware that the entire process can take 8-12 weeks, so plan accordingly. There will be people each step of the way offering you assistance and updates.
From the College Bulletin
For an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in the College of Arts and Sciences at Bloomington, the applicable degree requirements are those in effect at the time he or she first enrolls (matriculates) at the Bloomington campus of Indiana University as a degree-seeking student. A student who fails to complete a degree within eight years of matriculation will forfeit the automatic right to use the requirements in effect at the time of matriculation.
Fresh start
Did you experience academic difficulty before you left IU? If you are still interested in pursuing a degree in the College and have been away for at least 36 months, you should discuss the Fresh Start policy with a College representative today.
The Fresh Start policy encourages capable undergraduate students to return to IU Bloomington by removing the obstacle of past poor grades from their cumulative program GPA. To qualify for Fresh Start, you must have demonstrated your preparedness for academic success following an absence of at least three years. For more details about the process and how it could benefit you, please see the Fresh Start through Academic Renewal webpage. To schedule an appointment with a designated College representative, call 812-855-1647.
8-Year Review process
Step One:
Submit the Resumption of Undergraduate Studies Inquiry form
Complete Resumption of Undergraduate Studies Inquiry form
Step Two:
A representative from the College Recorder’s Office will retrieve and analyze your academic records. They will contact you once they are finished. This takes approximately one week.
Step Three:
An associate director in the College’s Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs will conduct an initial review of your record and then contact you to request that you schedule an appointment to discuss your options. Phone appointments are available. This step may take two or three weeks.
Step Four:
You will meet with the associate director and decide which option is right for you. The associate director will send you the appropriate petition form to fill out.
Step Five:
To complete the petition form, you will meet with your academic advisor to discuss your remaining requirements and establish a timeline for completion. This may take one or two weeks to complete.
Step Six:
You will submit your 8-Year Review petition materials to the College’s Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs for the final reviews and decisions.
Step Seven:
A review will be conducted by an assistant academic dean in the College and IUB General Education to determine your degree requirements and General Education requirements, respectively. This step will take two to four weeks to complete.
Step Eight:
You will receive notification of your requirement term, deadline for completing your requirements and graduating, and registration clearance for the next semester.
Want to earn a sequential second degree in the College?
Pursuing a sequential second bachelor’s degree from the College can be a beneficial experience, both personally and professionally. Please understand that many people with a completed bachelor’s degree may be better served by attending graduate school or pursuing employment. If you currently hold a bachelor’s degree and have determined that earning a second bachelor’s degree is necessary to fulfill your career or personal goals, please contact the College to request application information.
Deadlines
- To begin in the Fall semester: June 1 (transfer and international students) or July 1 (IU alumni)
- To begin in the Spring semester: November 1 (all applicants)
Tools + Resources
You can find more tools and resources, along with additional information you might need once you return to the College, in our Student Portal.
Have more questions? Please contact us.
College of Arts and Sciences
Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Owen Hall 104
790 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812-855-1647
Fax: 812-855-2060