Inactive Students to Apply for Graduation

Inactive Student Return to Graduate FAQs

• What is the Return as Inactive to Graduate process and do I qualify?

  The Return as Inactive to Graduate is a TESU process that allows for students who have been inactive in their enrollment but have completed all of their degree requirements to come back solely for the purpose of graduation.

  Students that are permitted to apply for graduation as an inactive student must meet the following criteria:

  1. The student’s most recent Thomas Edison State University course was completed within the last 36 months.
  2. The student cannot be inactive for more than 3 years and/or 1 year if the student is a part of the TESU Accelerated Nursing or Graduate program, and/or 5 years if the student is a member of the military degree completion program.
  3. The student must meet the residency requirement associated with their previous tuition plan, be a part of a Corporate Partnership agreement which does not require a residency, or pay the Residency Waiver Fee.
  4. Pay the $105 fee to be considered for a return from inactive to graduate candidate. This fee is nonrefundable and is required regardless of the outcome so students should be sure that they meet all the criteria for consideration.

  For students whose enrollment has lapsed within the last 36 months, have met the Thomas Edison State University residency requirement and whose most recent TESU Online/Guided Study or e-Pack credits are no more than thirty-six months old, the payment of the Return from Inactive to Graduate and Graduation Audit Fee allows for a graduation audit for students to be considered for graduation. If you are a joint degree student with Rutgers University, do not complete this process, and email registrar@tesu.edu for instructions on how to apply for graduation.

  By completing the Inactive Student Review for Graduation Request Form and submitting the fee, your record will be reviewed to determine if you have met the above requirements, and the graduation application will be emailed to you if it has been determined that you qualify for the above process.

• What do I do if I do not meet the criteria for this process?

  If you are currently active in your enrollment, please apply for graduation through Student Self Service.

  If you do not meet the criteria, as listed in the section above, please contact the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services at (609) 777-5680 or visit Returning Students to re-apply to the University.

• How do I apply for graduation as an inactive student?

  Assure you have met the above listed criteria to be eligible for the Return as Inactive to Graduate process.

  Complete the Inactive Student Review for Graduation Request Form and submit the associated fee(s). Your record will be reviewed to determine if you have met the above requirements and you will receive email correspondence regarding the outcome. If approved, a link to apply for graduation will be sent by email. Students will still not be able to apply for graduation through Online Student Services. If you are a joint degree student with Rutgers University, please reach out to registrar@tesu.edu for instructions on how to apply for graduation.

• Are there any fees associated with this process?

  Yes, there is a non-refundable fee of $105. This fee will cover the preliminary review of your record to assess if you have indeed met the requirements to return to graduate as an inactive student.

  Please Note: The $105 fee is a separate fee from the actual graduation audit fee. The graduation audit fee is $298 and is submitted along with the graduation application. The graduation application will be provided to you if you’re approved for the Return as Inactive to Graduate process and at that time you will then apply for graduation and submit the graduation audit fee.

• How long does approval for this process take?

  Upon submission of the Inactive Student Review for Graduation Request form and the associated fee, your record will be reviewed within a 1-2 week timeframe.

  Upon review, you will receive email correspondence with further instructions and if approved, a link to apply for graduation. Students will still not be able to apply for graduation through Online Student Services.

• If I am approved for this process, am I automatically a TESU candidate for graduation?

  No, the graduation application is necessary to start the graduation audit process and the graduation audit fee is a required, nonrefundable fee that is paid by students at the time they apply for graduation and covers the cost of permanent maintenance of the graduate record.

  Upon receipt of your graduation application and/or associated fees, you will be audited a maximum of two graduation cycles. If you have not met the academic requirements after two graduation cycles, you will be required to re-enroll with the University. When you re-enroll with the University, you will be required to satisfy the degree requirements that are in effect at that time. This may result in additional course work and/ or fees that is not listed on your most recent academic evaluation.

  During this review, an audit of additional transfer credits, and all other requirements for the degree will be reviewed. If the degree requirements are complete, the student’s degree will be certified and conferred at the next Board of Trustees meeting.

  Please Note: All undergraduate students at Thomas Edison State University must obtain an overall minimum TESU GPA of a C, which is equivalent to a 2.0. Graduate students must obtain an overall TESU GPA of a B, which is equivalent to a 3.0.

• If I am not approved for this process, will I receive a refund?

  No, this fee is nonrefundable and is required regardless of the outcome so students should be sure that they meet all the criteria for consideration.

• I sent in my transcripts but it appears my record hasn't been updated yet, what do I need to do?

  Transcript Evaluation updates will not occur until the graduation application and/or any associated fees are submitted and cleared. All fees must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Accounts at (609) 984-4099. In accordance with PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance, please do not include any credit card information on graduation application’s sent via email correspondence.

  Once the above steps, have been completed and you have applied for graduation, your academic record will be updated by the Evaluation department, typically within 2 weeks of receipt of your graduation application.

• Which graduation cycle will I be considered for?

  Upon receipt of your graduation application and the associated fees you will be reviewed for the appropriate graduation cycle. The graduation deadlines are listed below:

  Graduation Date	Deadline to Submit Application, Fees and Official Transcripts
  March	January 15
  June	April 15
  September	July 15
  December	October 15