Check-in and Registration

All matriculating students must complete the check-in and registration procedures outlined in this section.

No student is considered enrolled until they have completed the online check-in process in my.Harvard at the beginning of each semester. The check-in process includes providing up to date contact information and signing required forms. A $50 fee will be assessed for failing to complete check-in.

The Registrar’s Office is available in-person, via phone (617.495.5760), and by email (registar@hds.harvard.edu) during regular business hours to assist any student with questions or to help resolve any holds on their student account.

Fall 2026

New students will check-in online in my.Harvard and must complete Fall 2026 check-in by August 18, 2026.

Returning students are required to complete the Fall 2026 check-in process online in my.Harvard by August 20, 2026.

No student may check-in and enroll in classes after September 18, 2026 in the fall 2026 term.

Spring 2027

All students are required to complete the Spring 2027 check-in process online in my.Harvard by January 26, 2027.

No student may check-in and enroll in classes after February 12, 2027 in the spring term.

Financial Obligations

Students are required to settle all financial obligations to the University before they will be allowed to register each term. Student bills for the fall term are issued in July and payable in August; for the spring term, they are issued in December and payable in January. A student’s term bill balance at course enrollment each semester must not exceed that student's anticipated Harvard University financial aid.

Degree students may arrange to pay the tuition portion of their term bill in monthly installments by enrolling in the Month Payment Plan (MPP) offered by Student Financial Services. Under this plan, in the fall, students pay one-quarter of tuition in August and the balance in three installments in October, November, and December. In the spring, students pay one-quarter of their tuition in January and three additional payments in March, April, and May. There is a service charge of $35 per term for participation in the monthly payment option. A student enrolled half-time or less is required to pay the entire amount in advance.

Term bills are issued by the central University Student Financial Services office. Students may access their term bill and account balances via their my.Harvard home page. Additional information on understanding and paying term bills can be found on the Student Financial Services website. Tuition charges originate from the HDS Registrar’s Office, and questions may be directed to the registrar.

Immunization Requirements

Harvard requires all students enrolled in on-campus courses to comply with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations for school entry.

Students must submit proof of immunization against:

  • Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (TDaP)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
  • Varicella
  • Meningococcal disease (required only for students 21 years of age or younger)

Detailed information about these requirements is available on the HUHS website.

Supporting immunization documentation needs to be uploaded to the HUHS Patient Portal. Forms can be found on the HUHS website. The forms may be completed and signed by the healthcare provider, or students may upload copies of their official medical records documenting their vaccine history.

Students who are not in compliance with the immunization requirements are urged to be immunized as soon as possible by a physician at home or at a community clinic. 

Students will not be allowed to begin their program at HDS unless:

  1. They have submitted their immunization documentation to HUHS, and
  2. HUHS has successfully processed/verified their submission.

Review of submitted documents is done in the order in which they are received and can take 10–15 business days. Students should know when they need to register and plan accordingly.

COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination

Harvard University recommends, but does not require, that all enrolled students be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before arriving on campus for fall classes.

Students are required to receive an annual flu vaccine. Only flu vaccines received on or after July 1, 2026 are accepted for Academic Year 2026–2027. Students have until late September 2026 to comply with the flu vaccine requirement.

Detailed information about the flu vaccine requirement and timeline is available on the HUHS website.

International Students

Incoming international students must register at the Harvard International Office (HIO) before enrollment in courses. The HIO uses a virtual check-in process for students who have arrived on campus. Students must complete this process and appear in the HIO system as cleared in order to enroll. Returning international students need not re-register at HIO unless otherwise directed. As policies can change while students are enrolled, international students are encouraged to regularly check the HIO website for updates.

University ID Cards

All students are required to obtain and carry a University-issued ID card. These cards are typically distributed by HDS to its students during orientation. Since students will encounter occasions when they need to produce their ID card (such as at University Health Services, on shuttles, or at libraries), they are encouraged to keep it readily available. 

To prepare for the ID card, incoming students should upload a photo in advance. Incoming students who electronically uploaded a photo prior to arriving on campus will receive their official ID card during orientation. 

ID cards are valid through the student’s anticipated graduation or completion date. Students not satisfied with the picture that appears on their ID card may have their image recaptured at any time during the year through the Campus Service Center Main ID Office located at the Smith Campus Center, 8th floor. The new picture will appear on all subsequent cards. 

Pictures captured for the ID cards may also be used for portrait and electronic directories. All images and information are secured for internal University use only. Students who do not wish to have their images distributed may request an exemption by contacting the ID Office. 

Students may not lend their ID cards to anyone for any purpose. ID cards remain the property of the University and are intended for University purposes only. Loan of ID cards is considered a disciplinary matter. ID cards must be surrendered to any officer of the University if requested. 

Lost, stolen, or damaged cards may be replaced by the ID Office. A replacement fee will be charged.

HarvardKey

HarvardKey, together with the HUID (Harvard University ID) number, enables students to access the online resources of the University. Students must must claim their HarvardKey, set up Okta identity verification, and activate their HDS email account according to the schedule communicated to incoming students by the HDS Registrar's Office. Typically, this process occurs over the summer before the start of the fall semester.

HarvardKey login and password information is solely for the use of the student and may not be shared with others.

HDS Email Accounts and Official Communication

Formal HDS communication to students is via their HDS email account. To ensure privacy and security, officers of Harvard University will solely communicate with matriculated students at their HDS email address. Students are required to check their accounts regularly.