New Student Checklist

Log into your online YSM Application Status Page to respond to Yale School of Music's offer of admission and pay the registration deposit of $500 USD by Monday, April 15 at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time).

Incoming Institute of Sacred Music students should not pay this deposit with YSM. Instead, follow deposit instructions provided by ISM.

The quickest way to get your questions answered is to contact the relevant office for your specific questions.

For a full directory of the Yale School of Music administration, please visit: https://music.yale.edu/staff-directory

After submitting your registration deposit, you will receive a series of emails with instructions for activating your Yale email address and NetID. Checking your Yale e-mail account is mandatory. If you would like, you may forward your Yale email to your personal account.

Important: Your financial aid award letter will be sent to your Yale email address. You will not be able to accept your financial aid package until your Yale email account is active.

Graduate and Professional Student Housing applications (for graduate dorms and on-campus apartments) will be made available on Monday, April 1. Please contact housing@yale.edu for details. Don't delay–University housing fills up quickly. Visit Student Life + Housing for more information about housing options (on and off-campus) at Yale.

Jennifer VanBrederode is the VA School Certifying Official for the School of Music. If you are eligible for educational benefits under any of the chapters of the GI Bill®, please provide your Certificate of Eligibility from the VA and a copy of your DD214, and which chapter you are requesting benefits. For more information regarding VA education benefits, or for questions specific to your eligibility, please visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. For information about Yale University’s participation in the VA program, please visit the University’s Financial Aid website.

If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must apply for an I-20 from Yale and a student visa from the U.S. Embassy. The YSM Office of Admissions must receive certain documentation on or before May 1 (detailed below).

Student Visa: I-20 Instructions

You will need to apply for two important documents in order to enroll in school in the United States:

1. an I-20 or DS-2019, issued by Yale University

2. a student visa, issued by the U.S. Embassy

The U.S. government requires you to submit documentation (including bank statements) to YSM’s Office of Admissions to prove that you are financially able to support your education. We ask that you submit this paperwork by May 1.

You must submit bank statements and affidavits (instructions outlined below) to the Yale School of Music Office of Admissions. Please expect an email from the Office of Admissions upon receipt of your enrollment deposit with detailed instructions regarding how to submit your documents.

The amount you must show in your bank statements equals the total estimated cost of tuition and living expenses for one year ($66,588) MINUS your full-tuition scholarship ($39,500) MINUS your fellowship listed in your admissions letter. The remaining cost is the amount you must show. You must submit bank statements or other documentation proving that you possess at least this amount in liquid funds. The bank statement(s) must be in English (issued in English by the bank or translated by a certified translator—not translated by you).

The bank statements may be in your name, a sponsor’s name, or a combination of both. If you submit a bank statement from a sponsor (a family member or close friend agreeing to provide financial support), the sponsor must submit an Affidavit of Support (click download button above) to YSM’s Office of Admissions. 

(The U.S. Embassy might also require your sponsor to complete form I-134.)

If you have any questions about the financial documentation, please contact the YSM Office of Admissions by phone at 203 432-4155 or email gradmusic.admissions@yale.edu. Please do not contact the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) about these forms.

Applying for a Visa

Please refer to this checklist from the Office of International Students & Scholars:

1. Required Financial Certification. Complete and return the required financial certification documents (see I-20 Instructions) to the School of Music.
2. E-mail from OISS. You will receive an e-mail from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) requesting further information. The email will provide instructions for obtaining an immigration document (an I-20 or DS-2019). You must respond to this email.
3. F-1 or J-1. Almost all international students come to the Yale School of Music using the F-1 student visa. However, students using a significant amount of non-personal funds to finance their Yale education may prefer and be eligible for J-1 status, particularly if their spouse is accompanying them and wants to work in the United States. Learn more about the difference.
4. Issuing the I-20. With the required personal data and financial certification documents, the U.S. Government Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) will produce the form I-20 (or DS-2019 for J-1 status). The Yale School of Music will send your I-20 to you by FedEx.
5. SEVIS Fee. All new students applying for F-1 or J-1 status — with the exception of those currently studying in the U.S. — must pay a SEVIS fee ($350 for F-1 status). Click here for instructions for paying the fee.
6. Applying for the Student Visa. Apply early! After you receive your I-20, the next step is to apply for a student visa. Click here for details. You will need to bring your I-20 form, SEVIS Fee receipt, and a copy of your financial documents to the U.S. Consulate or Embassy. You should check the home page of the particular U.S. consulate or embassy to make sure you have all the required forms and fees. Student visas can be issued as early as 120 days before the beginning date noted on the I-20 form, so we encourage students to apply as early as possible. Students in certain countries and/or studying in certain fields may experience lengthy delays in the processing of their student visa applications.
7. Canadian Students. Students who are citizens of Canada must obtain a student visa, but are not required to visit a U.S. embassy in person. They must obtain an I-20 from Yale University and present the I-20 and a valid passport at the U.S. port of entry, receiving a student visa at the border. Be absolutely certain (especially if driving across the border) that you receive an I-94 card at the port of entry marked “F-1” (or “J-1,” if applicable).
8. Entering the United States. You cannot enter the United States more than 30 days prior to the start date printed on your I-20 form. At the U.S. port of entry, you must present your I-20 form (or DS-2019 for J-1 status) and your passport with a valid visa stamp.
9. If you are already in the United States and need to transfer your F-1 student status, please carefully read these instructions.
10. For information about the summer between two programs, visit here.
11. If you are in the United States under another status (such as H-1B), it is recommended that you depart the United States and return with a student visa. For more information, please contact Kira Bellucci in the OISS to make the necessary arrangements.

Review the Financial Aid Booklet

The Financial Aid Information Booklet for the 2024-2025 academic year provides useful information about loans, the federal work-study program, instrument/repair loans, and more. Click the Download button to review the Booklet.

Sign your Financial Aid letter

A financial aid award notice will be sent by email to your new yale.edu address. Look for an email from SFS@yale.edu in late April-May. In order for your scholarship and fellowship to be processed; you need to officially accept them. Instructions will be included in the email.

Students enrolling in the choral conducting, organ, or early music voice programs will receive their financial aid award information from the Institute of Sacred Music (ISM) only and may disregard this section.

A full-tuition award and fellowship (stipend) are made to all students who are admitted to the Yale School of Music with the exception of those receiving awards from other agencies. The fellowship amount is listed in your acceptance letter. 

*Note for DMA students: a continuing registration fee is charged for the three and a half non-resident years (seven semesters). 

Estimated Budget for School of Music students:
Room & Board: $19,900
Books & Music: $850
Personal: $1,298
Transportation: $1,928
Health Insurance: $3,112
Tuition: $39,500
Total: $66,588

In-School Deferment of Federal Loans

• In-school deferments begin in the first 30 days following your enrollment at the School of Music.
• Your enrollment starts on the first day of fall classes (September 6, 2024).
• Yale University automatically reports enrolled students to NSLDS (the National Student Loan Data System) starting on the first day of classes, and then once a month thereafter.
• Your lender is also required to communicate with NSLDS.
• In some cases, you may need to submit a loan deferment form; see details below. Please note that loan deferment forms cannot be submitted until after your official enrollment begins on the first day of classes.

If you were enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate program during the Spring 2024 term:

• You will still be in your six-month grace period when your enrollment at Yale begins.
• Yale will automatically report your enrollment to NSLDS starting on the first day of fall classes.
• You should not need to submit the deferment form unless your lender does not process your deferment automatically from the NSLDS report in September.

If you were not enrolled in an undergraduate program during the Spring 2024 term:

• You might have loans that are entering repayment earlier.
• Yale will automatically report your enrollment to NSLDS starting on the first day of fall classes.
• If your lender does not process your In-School deferment automatically from the NSLDS report in September, you may need to submit a deferment form after the first day of fall classes.

For more details, review the NSLDS guidance about deferment.

Upload your photo by June 30 for your Yale photo ID.

All students must submit final official transcripts* by July 1 to the Office of Admissions indicating the completion of prerequisite degrees. Students entering the School of Music’s Master of Music (M.M.) degree program must submit a final transcript indicating the completion of a bachelor’s degree. Students entering the School’s Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree program or the Master of Musical Arts (M.M.A.) degree program must submit a final transcript indicating the completion of a master’s degree. Students entering the School’s Artist Diploma (A.D.) program or the Certificate in Performance program must submit a final transcript indicating the completion of high school.

*You must have your final, official transcripts (sent directly from the school or transcript clearinghouse) mailed or emailed to the Yale School of Music. Our mailing address is listed below. If you expect that your transcripts will arrive after July 1, please alert us immediately by emailing gradmusic.admissions@yale.edu.

Students who fail to submit final official transcripts by July 1 will be placed on an enrollment and financial aid hold, and will not receive their scholarship, stipend or be able to enroll in classes or take lessons until final transcripts and proof of degrees are received.

Mailing address
Office of Admissions
Yale School of Music
PO Box 208246
New Haven, CT 06520-8246

For FedEx, UPS, or DHL
Office of Admissions
Yale School of Music
98 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511

New Student Health Requirements
Please review the documents for information about your health services, requirements, and deadlines for submission on the Yale Health website: New Student Health Requirements. These requirements are mandated by Yale University policy and Connecticut State regulations and must be completed no later than August 1. We strongly recommend that you print out forms and schedule your appointment with your healthcare provider NOW. Many providers are busy during the summer months and wait times may be long.

In late-June the Health On Track portal will open for students to upload forms and complete requirements. Please watch for a communication from Yale Health once the portal is open.

Beginning August 15, all incoming students will have access to ArtsVision, the School of Music’s student portal for concert calendars, room reservations, rosters and schedules, the student handbook, career strategies resources, and more. Students can find forms mentioned in orientation and needed throughout the year in the Student Documents section. Login using your NetID and password.

After you move to New Haven, access Yale Hub and update the information on the “Personal Data” tab, specifically your New Haven address and telephone number, billing address, biographical information, and emergency contacts.

Please download these two apps on your mobile device for the University to communicate with you:

LiveSafe app - The best way for students to communicate with Yale Police (YPD) via a mobile device. In addition, it also allows students to request a campus escort and check the status of various Yale Shuttles. Download iOS app | Download android app

Yale Connect app - This app is Yale’s central information hub for all student life events, including YSM’s office of student life. This app also allow YSM approved student groups to communicate with each other. Download iOS app | Download android app

YalePay

YalePay is the University’s online billing and payment portal for your student account. Monthly emails reminding you to login to YalePay to view your student account activity and make any required payments will be sent to your Yale email account only. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor and review their student account. Tuition and fees for the fall term are billed on July 1st and payment is due on August 1st. The spring term is billed on November 1st and payment is due on December 1st. A late fee of $125 per month is assessed if the balance due in not paid in full by the due date. Financial aid will be reflected on the student account as anticipated credits provided the signed award letter is received by the due date. Financial aid is split evenly between the fall and spring term and will not be available until after the first day of orientation in the fall term and the first day of classes in the spring term.

Please visit the Yale Student Accounts website for information regarding your financial accounts at Yale using YalePay.

Yale Payment Plan

The University’s Office of Student Financial Services provides options to parents and students for paying education expenses on a monthly basis. Visit the Student Accounts Payment Plan page to enroll.

Students entering their first degree at YSM must be present on campus beginning Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM (U.S. Eastern Time), to participate in mandatory opening week orientation events and register for full-time enrollment at the Yale School of Music. Failure to arrive on campus by August 29 may affect scholarship and fellowship status. Students enrolled at the Yale School of Music are expected to attend all classes, rehearsals, and scheduled academic events.

Returning YSM students (continuing in the same degree, or starting a new YSM degree upon completion of a previous YSM degree) must be present on campus beginning Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 9:00 AM (U.S. Eastern Time), to participate in mandatory opening week orientation events and register for full-time enrollment at the Yale School of Music. Failure to arrive on campus by September 3 may affect scholarship and fellowship status. Students enrolled at the Yale School of Music are expected to attend all classes, rehearsals, and scheduled academic events.

The School of Music and University offers students several employment options throughout their time at Yale. Check the page frequently for areas that are hiring and other opportunities.