Navigating the Spring Semester at Arapahoe Community College
Arapahoe Community College (ACC), established in 1965, holds the distinction of being the first two-year college in the Denver metropolitan area. Born from the aspirations of Littleton residents seeking accessible post-high school education, ACC has consistently evolved to meet the diverse needs of its community. With a commitment to student success, ACC provides a supportive environment where individuals can "Move Mountains" and achieve their academic and professional aspirations. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the spring semester at ACC, encompassing registration, key dates, financial aid, and available programs.
Your Path at ACC
ACC provides many opportunities to help you explore various degree and certificate programs to find the perfect fit for your goals. These academic experiences offer practical, real-world skills and connect you to the ACC community. ACC is committed to providing a supportive environment. Academic advising, career and transfer guidance, tutoring, and student access services are available to help you achieve your goals. ACC welcomes a diverse community of students pursuing degrees or certificates, those taking courses for personal enrichment through Workforce & Community Programs, and those utilizing the fitness facilities or library.
Important Dates for Spring Semester
Planning is crucial for a successful semester. Here's a breakdown of the key dates for the Spring semester at ACC:
- Spring Registration for All Students: October 27, 2025 - January 13, 2026
- College Closed - Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 19, 2026
- Spring Semester Begins: January 20, 2026
- Spring Census Date (15-Week Courses): February 4, 2026
- Spring Graduation Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
- Spring Break - Classes Not in Session: March 16, 2026 - March 22, 2026
- Spring Professional Development Day; Classes Not in Session (limited services): April 7, 2026
- Spring Withdraw Date (15-Week Courses): April 16, 2026
- Spring Semester Ends: May 12, 2026
- Annual Commencement Ceremony: May 15, 2026
- Grading Deadline: May 15, 2026 (12pm)
Please note that the college is open, and classes are in session on Presidents’ Day.
It's important to remember that census (add/drop) dates may vary based on your course and its start date.
Read also: Navigating the Spring Semester
Financial Aid Information
Financial aid plays a vital role in making education accessible. Here's a timeline of important financial aid dates for the Spring semester:
- 1st Financial Aid Disbursement for Continuing Borrowers (financial aid is applied to student accounts): January 12, 2026
- First Refunds Released to Student Accounts (excess aid is refunded to students): January 16, 2026
- Spring 2026 Semester Begins: January 20, 2026
- 30-Day Delay Disbursement for First-Time Borrowers (loans): February 23, 2026
- 2nd Financial Aid Disbursement (single semester loans): March 23, 2026
- Ineligible for Aid Appeal Deadline: April 15, 2026
- Last Day to Request Loan Funds: April 27, 2026
- Last Financial Aid Disbursement: May 4, 2026
- Last Day of Classes: May 12, 2026
Important Considerations:
- Dates falling on days other than Monday will be extended to the following Monday.
- Students receiving a loan for only one semester will receive 50% of the loan amount at the initial disbursement and the 2nd 50% as noted below.
- Subsequent refunds occur every Friday, except in weeks when a banking holiday exists.
- For financial aid purposes, each award year starts with Fall and ends with Summer (e.g. Summer 2026 is the last term of the 2025-26 year).
- ACC will only process aid once a student’s file is complete. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor their myACC student portal for outstanding financial aid requirements.
Summer and Fall Semesters
While this article primarily focuses on the Spring semester, it's helpful to have an overview of the subsequent Summer and Fall semesters as well.
Summer Semester 2026
- Summer Registration for All Students: March 9, 2026 - May 15, 2026
- Maymester Classes Begin: May 18, 2026
- Memorial Day Holiday - College Closed: May 23, 2026 - May 25, 2026
- Summer 10-week Classes Begin: May 26, 2026
- Maymester Ends: June 1, 2026
- Grading Deadline - Maymester Classes: June 4, 2026
- Summer Census Date (10-week courses): June 4, 2026
- Summer 8-week Classes Begin: June 8, 2026
- Juneteenth Day - College Closed: June 19, 2026 - June 21, 2026
- Summer Graduation Application Deadline: June 30, 2026
- Independence Day - College Closed: July 3, 2026 - July 5, 2026
- Summer Withdraw Date (10-week and 8-week courses): July 21, 2026
- Summer 8-week Classes End: August 2, 2026
- Summer 10-week Classes End: August 3, 2026
- Grading Deadline - Summer 10-week and 8-week Classes: August 6, 2026 (12pm)
Important Considerations:
- Maymester classes that meet on Monday will have to schedule extra time during the term due to the Memorial Day holiday.
- Classes that meet on Friday will have to schedule extra time during the term due to the Juneteenth holiday (excluding Maymester classes).
- Classes that meet on Friday will have to schedule extra time during the term due to the Independence Day holiday (excluding Maymester classes).
- Census (add / drop) dates vary based on your course and course start date.
Summer Financial Aid Dates:
- 1st Financial Aid Disbursement for Continuing Borrowers (financial aid is applied to student accounts): May 18, 2026
- First Refunds Released to Student Accounts (excess aid is refunded to students): May 22, 2026
- Summer 2026 Semester Begins: May 26, 2026
- 30-Day Delay Disbursement for First-Time Borrowers (loans): June 29, 2026
- 2nd Financial Aid Disbursement (single semester loans): July 6, 2026
- Ineligible for Aid Appeal Deadline: July 10, 2026
- Last Day to Request Loan Funds: July 20, 2026
- Last Financial Aid Disbursement: July 27, 2026
- Last Day of Classes: August 3, 2026
Important Considerations:
- Dates that fall on days other than Monday will be extended to the following Monday.
- Students receiving a loan for only one semester will receive 50% of the loan amount at the initial disbursement and the 2nd 50% as noted below.
- Subsequent refunds occur every Friday, except in weeks when a banking holiday exists.
- For financial aid purposes, each award year starts with Fall and ends with Summer (e.g. Summer 2026 is the last term of the 2025-26 year).
- ACC will only process aid once a student’s file is complete, and it is the student’s responsibility to monitor their myACC student portal for outstanding financial aid requirements.
Fall Semester 2026
- Fall Registration for All Students: March 9, 2026 - August 21, 2026
- Fall Semester Begins: August 17, 2026
- College Closed - Labor Day Holiday: September 5, 2026 - September 7, 2026
- Fall Professional Development Day; Classes Not in Session (limited services): October 6, 2026
- Fall Graduation Application Deadline: October 31, 2026
- Fall Break - Classes Not in Session: November 23, 2026 - November 29, 2026
- College Closed - Thanksgiving: November 26, 2026
- Fall Break - Limited Virtual Services: November 27, 2026
- Falll Break - College Closed: November 28, 2026 - November 29, 2026
- Fall semester ends: December 8, 2026
- Grading deadline: December 11, 2026 (12pm)
- College Closed - Winter Break: December 25, 2026 - January 2, 2027
Important Considerations:
- Classes that meet on Saturdays will have to schedule extra time during the term due to the Labor Day holiday.
- Census (add / drop) dates vary based on your course and course start date.
Academic Catalog and Course Schedules
The Austin Community College District (ACC) catalog is a comprehensive resource containing everything you need to know about ACC. The catalog applies to new students entering ACC and returning students whose catalog has expired. It is prepared from existing policies and information obtained from the appropriate ACC officials and is the document of authority for all students. You may follow the degree plan requirements described in the catalog in effect at the time you first enrolled at ACC. ACC reserves the right to make changes in the regulations and offerings announced in this catalog as circumstances require. Each semester, the college posts an online schedule listing courses to be offered. Not all courses listed in this catalog are offered each semester.
Free Tuition Pilot Program
ACC Free Tuition benefits begin the first fall semester after you graduate high school or complete your TX GED. To be eligible, you must have graduated from a high school in the ACC service area (public or private) between spring 2024 and August 2028. The ACC service area covers all or portions of six Central Texas counties: Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson.
Residency Definitions
- In-District: If you live within the service area and pay ACC taxes, you’re considered in-district.
- Out-of-District: If you live within the service area but you do not pay ACC taxes or live in any of the taxing regions listed above, you’re considered out-of-district.
Distance Education
Austin Community College offers fully online degree and certificate programs. New semester schedules are posted as they are available. Please note that class schedules may change. ACC offers different types of Distance Education classes to fit students’ needs and support their success. These courses may include a DIL code, for “Distance Learning.” This means some instruction is online.
Read also: Navigating the Spring Term
- Hybrid Distance - HYD: Instruction is 51% or more online with some on-campus meetings.
- In-Person/Face-to-Face - F2F: Instruction is in-person with students attending class meetings.
- Hybrid Classroom - HYC: Instruction is 50% or more on campus with the remaining instruction online.
Read also: Navigating the Academic Year
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