Returning to UNL?
Let's make sure you're ready for more than the first day of class. Start with these basic steps to get ready to return to campus. Or, skip to more specific scenarios.
Whether you've been away for one semester or many years, returning to college can involve several steps. Some university processes, technology, policies, and resources may have changed while you were away.
Student Advocacy and Support can help you build your return plan.
1. Financial Aid & Scholarships
Do you know what your financial aid package will look like? Are there any holds, SAP requirements, scholarship appeals, or other steps you need to complete?
Don't wait until classes begin to understand your financial aid. Make sure you know whether your aid is finalized and what you will be responsible for paying.
Connect with Husker Hub before the semester begins to understand your financial aid status and whether additional action is required.
2. Academic Standing & Advising
Have you connected with your academic advisor? Do you know whether your previous academic standing affects your return? Have your degree requirements changed?
3. Re-Admission & University Requirements
Depending on how long you've been away, there may be steps you need to complete before returning. Make sure you understand your admission status, holds, and other university requirements. Returning Student Admissions Requirements - link to website here https://admissions.unl.edu/apply/admission-requirements/returning/
4. Technology & Campus Systems
MyRED, Canvas, email, Duo authentication, course technology, and other systems may be unfamiliar—especially after an extended time away.
We can help you identify where to go when you need assistance getting reacquainted with university technology. Link to website here https://its.unl.edu/service-portal/myunl/
5. Life May Look Different Now
Returning students may also be balancing:
- Employment
- Parenting or caregiving
- Housing
- Transportation
- Finances
- Health or mental health needs
- Other responsibilities
A Case Manager can help you think about what support might make returning more manageable.
6. Build Your Support Network Before You Need It
Who will you contact if something isn't going well?
We can help you identify academic, financial, personal, and community resources before challenges become emergencies.
Specific Situations
There are various reasons Huskers temporarily discontinue their education. Below is an outline of the most common reasons and relevant processes and deadlines to follow when ready to return to campus. If you are not sure which category works best for you and your current situation, please reach out to the Student Advocacy and Support Office.
Personal leave for less than 3 semesters
If you voluntarily took a personal leave from the University and have been gone for less than 3 semesters, the circumstances surrounding your leave will dictate next steps.
- Medical Withdrawal: If you took a leave due to a medical withdrawal, you will want to connect with the Office of Student Advocacy and Support to learn about the re-enrollment process. You can schedule an appointment here.
- Military Orders: If you took a leave due to military orders, you will want to connect with the Military and Veteran Success Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (402) 472-4130 or send an email to vetsuccess@unl.edu.
- All other personal leave for less than 3 semesters: You will want to connect with your academic advisor to plan your schedule of courses for the upcoming term and get connected to academic success resources that would aid in your transition back to campus. Information on how to schedule with your academic advisor can be found in Student Success Hub. NOTE: If you have any registration holds on your account (outstanding balance, transcript, immunization records, etc.) those will need to be cleared before you will be able to enroll in classes.
- If you are a member of a retention program such as First Husker, Kiewit Scholars, Nebraska College Preparatory Academy, OASIS, TRIO Scholars, or William H. Thompson, you will want to also schedule an appointment with that specific team through Student Success Hub.
Personal leave for more than 3 semesters
Students who have been on leave for more than 3 semesters will need to re-apply for admission to the University. There are a variety of steps to this process, along with specific deadlines that need to be followed. If you took a personal leave from the University for more than 3 semesters, you will want to connect with the Office of Admissions to discuss next steps.
Academic Dismissal
Students will want to connect with their academic advisor to discuss necessary steps to be reinstated after dismissal.
Loss of Financial Aid/Outstanding Balance
Students who stopped out due to a loss of financial aid or inability to pay an outstanding balance should connect with Husker Hub to discuss necessary steps to reinstate aid and/or pay off an outstanding balance and have the registration hold lifted.
Involuntary Withdrawal
Students who have been involuntarily withdrawn should connect with the Office of Student Advocacy and Support to discuss conditions of returning to the university.
Conduct Suspension
Students who have been suspended through a disciplinary process should connect with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. To schedule an appointment, please call (402) 472-2021 or email studentconduct@unl.edu.