As a student at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Iowa, you’ll want to stay on top of various important dates and deadlines.
Stay ahead during the fall semester with these tips:
Create a calendar or planner and mark these dates.
Set reminders on your phone or computer to flag upcoming deadlines.
Be organized and stay on top of your schoolwork to avoid the stress of missing a deadline.
Talk to your academic advisor if you have any questions about enrollment and graduation deadlines.
Important dates and deadlines to keep in mind:
Census date
The census date is the deadline by which you must be enrolled in a certain number of credits to be considered a full-time student. If you do not meet the census requirement, you may have to pay more tuition or lose financial aid.
Tip: Be sure to check with the Office of Student Financial Aid for specific deadlines and requirements for your aid package.
Fall 2025 census date: Monday, Sept. 8, 2025
Add or drop deadlines
If you think you want to make changes to your schedule, you should do so as soon as possible after consulting with your advisor and obtaining the required permissions.
Tip: Enrollment deadlines vary by course length. Be sure to check your course’s specific deadline. View the registrar’s academic calendar for all semester-length course deadlines.
Last day to drop without a W (full semester-length courses only): Monday, Sept. 8, 2025
Last day to add without collegiate approval: Monday, Sept. 8, 2025
Last day to drop (full semester-length courses only): Monday, Nov. 17, 2025
Last day to withdraw from the entire fall 2025 semester: Monday, Nov. 17, 2025
Registration opens
It’s important to register for next semester’s classes as soon as you are eligible to ensure you get the classes you need for graduation.
Tip: Mark down the general registration period for now but check back on MyUI to find your specific date and time after Oct. 20. Also, schedule an appointment with your advisor about a month before your registration opens if you need authorization.
Spring 2026 schedule builder open: Monday, Sept. 29, 2025
Early registration for winter begins: Monday, Nov. 10-Friday, Dec. 5, 2025
Early registration for spring begins: Monday, Nov. 10-Friday, Dec. 5, 2025
Final exams
Final exams are held independently from your regular course meeting times and are scheduled midway through the semester. Read more about exam policies and schedules from the Office of the Registrar.
Tip: Start preparing for your finals early! This will help alleviate stress and anxiety during finals week.
Last day of class before final exams: Friday, Dec. 12, 2025
Final Exam Week: Dec. 15-19, 2025
Other important deadlines
Tip: Start working on your scholarship and graduate school applications early. This will give you plenty of time to gather all of the required materials and proofread your essays.
Deadline to apply for Fall 2025 graduation: Friday, Oct. 3, 2025
Fall break: Nov. 23-30, 2025
CLAS Commencement: Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025
In addition to these general university and college deadlines, there are other important dates and deadlines specific to your classes or program of study. Be sure to check your syllabi, communicate with your instructors, and keep an eye on your UIowa e-mail.