Spring 2026 Academic Calendar

All dates are tentative until closer to the beginning of the semester.

UG = Undergraduate students; GRAD = Graduate students

Part of Term (POT) values indicate the time frame for the course. The Class Schedule shows what part of term each course is scheduled in to assist with identifying deadlines.  Non-standard course offerings will not have a POT but start and end dates are shown in the Section Details on Course Explorer:

  • 1 = full 16 week semester (approximately 1/20/2026 – 5/6/2026 plus finals)
  • A = first 8 weeks of the semester (approximately 1/20/2026 – 3/13/2026)
  • B = second 8 weeks of the semester (approximately 3/16/2026 – 5/6/2026 plus finals.
    Classes begin 3/23/2026 after spring break

2025-2026 Senate Academic Calendar

Undergraduate student registration deadlines by POT in an easy to read chart.
Graduate and Professional student registration deadlines by POT in an easy to read chart.

Graduation and Degree Certification deadlines

October 6

October 20

  • Time Tickets (earliest registration times) for Spring 2026 priority registration available to view on Student Self-Service 
  • Open time tickets will be assigned the following day

November 3

  • Priority registration begins for Spring and Winter 2026 for eligible continuing and returning students

November 20

  • Open registration for Spring 2026 begins for new and all other students

January 12

  • Spring tuition and fee charges first appear on student accounts

January TBD

January 19

  • 11:59 PM CST Deadline to cancel registration (dropping all Spring 2026 classes) for full reversal of tuition and campus fees for classes scheduled in a regular semester 
  • Non-standard course offerings, deadline to cancel is the last day prior to instruction

January 20

  • First day of instruction for Spring POT 1 (full semester) and POT A (1st 8 week) courses

January 26

  • Deadline for ALL to add a POT A course via Student Self-Service
  • Deadline for ALL to drop POT A course for refund if tuition range changes or billing hours decrease
  • Deadline to suppress directory information

February 2 – “10th day” add/drop deadline

February 3

  • Official spring enrollment information transmitted to NSC for processing to NSLDS to provide loan deferment if applicable. Notification to federal loan providers should occur within 2 – 3 weeks.

February 13

  • Deadline for ALL to drop a POT A (1st 8 week) course via Student Self-Service without grade of W
  • Deadline for UG to elect credit/no credit or change credit/no credit to regular grade basis in POT A course
  • Deadline for UG to file intent to use Campus Grade Replacement option in POT A course

February 27

  • Deadline for GRAD to drop a POT A (1st 8 week) course via Graduate Student Portal without a grade of W
  • Deadline for GRAD to elect credit/no credit for a POT A course or to change from credit/no credit to a regular grade

February 28

  • Full payment due for Spring 2026 charges unless on a payment plan.  Visit Pay My Bill for more information regarding payment options and due dates.

March 2

  • Midterm grade entry enabled for Instructors in Faculty Self-Service

March 9

March 10 at 2:00 PM

  • Faculty deadline for reporting midterm grades for freshmen

March 11

  • Final Exam schedule posted to Office of Registrar website and Course Explorer
  • POT A (1st 8 week) grade entry enabled for Instructors in Faculty Self-Service

March 13

  • Deadline for ALL to drop POT 1 (full semester) course via Student Self-Service without grade of W
  • Deadline for UG to remove incomplete grade from previous semester to prevent change to F grade
  • Deadline for UG to elect credit/no credit or change credit/no credit to regular grade basis in POT 1 course
  • Deadline for UG to file intent to use Campus Grade Replacement option in POT 1 course
  • Deadline for UG to withdraw from Spring 2026 semester (drop all courses) without grade of W
  • Deadline for LAW to drop semester course without grade of W

March 14–22

  • Spring Break

March 23

  • Priority registration Time Tickets (earliest registration times) for Summer and Fall 2026 available on Student Self-Service
  • POT B (2nd 8 week) courses begin (non-standard courses may begin earlier or later)

March 27

  • Deadline for ALL to add POT B (2nd 8 week) course via Student Self-Service
  • Deadline for ALL to drop POT B course for refund if tuition range changes or billing hours decrease
  • 2:00 PM Faculty deadline for reporting POT A (1st 8 week) grades. Students can view grades the following day via Student Self-Service or myIllini

April 3

  • Deadline to withdraw from the university and receive the minimum 40% pro-rata refund if enrolled mainly in full semester classes

April 5

April 6

  • Priority registration for Summer and Fall 2026 begins
  • Graduation Application opens for Summer and Fall 2026 in Student Self-Service. Instructions can be found on the Graduation FAQs.
  • POT A (1st 8 week) grade entry reenabled for instructors in Faculty Self-Service. Any grades submitted at this time will not be viewable until after final grade entry.

April 17

  • Deadline for ALL to drop POT B (2nd 8 week) course via Student Self-Service without grade of W
  • Deadline for UG to elect credit/no credit or change credit/no credit to regular grade basis in POT B course
  • Deadline for UG to file intent to use Campus Grade Replacement option in POT B course
  • Deadline for GRAD to drop POT 1 (full semester) course via Graduate Student Portal without a grade of W
  • Deadline for GRAD to elect credit/no credit or change credit/no credit to regular grade basis in POT 1 course
  • Last day for GRAD to withdraw from Spring 2026 semester without grade of W when enrolled mainly in full semester classes

April 23

  • Open registration begins for Summer and Fall 2026

April 30

  • Deadline to update Study Abroad registration

May 1

  • Deadline for GRAD to drop POT B (2nd 8 week) course via Graduate Student Portal without a grade of W
  • Deadline for GRAD to elect credit/no credit or change credit/no credit to regular grade basis for POT B course
  • Deferred (DFR) grades for Study Abroad sections are rolled to Academic History

May 4

May 6

  • Last day of instruction

May 7

  • Reading day (no classes, no final examinations)
  • Last day for GRAD to add/drop POT 1 or POT B course without petitioning Graduate College

May 8–14 Weekdays only

  • Final examination period (Colleges of Law and Vet Med may extend to May 15)

May 16

  • Degree conferral and campus-wide commencement. Diplomas will be shipped in approximately 9 weeks

May 22

May 29

  • 2:00 PM Faculty deadline for reporting LAW grades
  • College deadline for reporting Academic Standing. Students can view status the following day via Student Self-Service or myIllini.

June 1

  • Transcripts on hold for Spring 2026 grades are released

June TBD

June TBD

  • College deadline for reporting Dean’s List. Undergraduate students can view status the following day via Student Self-Service.

June TBD

  • Transcripts on hold for Spring 2026 degrees are released