GVSU Semester Schedule Dates: A Comprehensive Guide

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) operates on a semester-based academic calendar. This article provides a detailed overview of important dates for upcoming semesters, specifically focusing on Spring 2026, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027. It's crucial to consult this information for planning academic activities, registration, and important breaks. It's also very important to bookmark the official GVSU academic calendar page to ensure access to the most up-to-date information, as changes, though rare, can occur. Changes made to a published calendar are listed on the change log at the end of the document. For information about final exams, please see the Final Exam Schedule page. For previous academic calendars, please use the university catalogs page. Academic calendars for Summer 2026 through Summer 2027 will be posted in late October.

Spring Semester 2026

The Spring 2026 semester begins on Monday, January 12, 2026. The Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, with no classes, falls on Monday, January 19, 2026. Spring break, a week-long recess from classes, is scheduled from Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 20, 2026. The last day of classes for the semester is Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Final exams will be held from Thursday, May 7, to Friday, May 8, and from Monday, May 11, to Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Spring commencement ceremonies will take place on Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14, 2026.

Key Dates for Spring 2026:

First day of classes: Monday, January 12, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no classes): Monday, January 19, 2026
Spring break (no classes): Monday, March 16 - Friday, March 20, 2026
Last day of classes: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Final exams: Thursday, May 7 - Friday, May 8, and Monday, May 11 - Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Spring commencement: Wednesday, May 13 - Thursday, May 14, 2026

Summer Semester 2026

Beginning in Summer 2026, face-to-face classes will have Friday meeting times. The summer semester at GVSU is divided into multiple sessions with varying start and end dates. The full-term, May term, and May-June term classes all begin on Monday, May 18, 2026. Memorial Day, a federal holiday, is observed on Monday, May 25, 2026, with no classes. May term classes conclude on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. June term and June-July term classes commence on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Juneteenth, is observed on Friday, June 19, 2026, with no classes. The last day of June term and May-June term classes is Thursday, July 2, 2026. Independence Day is observed on Friday, July 3, 2026, with no classes. July term classes begin on Monday, July 6, 2026. The full-term, July term, and June-July term classes all end on Monday, July 27, 2026.

Key Dates for Summer 2026:

First day of full-term, May term, and May-June term classes: Monday, May 18, 2026
Memorial Day (no classes): Monday, May 25, 2026
Last day of May term classes: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
First day of June term and June-July term classes: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Juneteenth (no classes): Friday, June 19, 2026
Last day of June term and May-June term classes: Thursday, July 2, 2026
Independence Day (no classes): Friday, July 3, 2026
First day of July term classes: Monday, July 6, 2026
Last day of full term, July term, and June-July term classes: Monday, July 27, 2026

Fall Semester 2026

The Fall 2026 semester commences on Monday, August 17, 2026. Labor Day, a federal holiday, is observed on Monday, September 7, 2026, with no classes. Fall break, a short recess, is scheduled for Monday, October 12, and Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Thanksgiving break, a longer break for the holiday, runs from Wednesday, November 25, through Friday, November 27, 2026. The last day of classes for the semester is Monday, December 7, 2026. Final exams will be held from Tuesday, December 8, through Friday, December 11, 2026. Winter commencement is scheduled for Saturday, December 12, 2026.

Key Dates for Fall 2026:

First day of classes: Monday, August 17, 2026
Labor Day (no classes): Monday, September 7, 2026
Fall break (no classes): Monday, October 12 - Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Thanksgiving break (no classes): Wednesday, November 25 - Friday, November 27, 2026
Last day of classes: Monday, December 7, 2026
Final exams: Tuesday, December 8 - Friday, December 11, 2026
Winter commencement: Saturday, December 12, 2026

Spring Semester 2027

The Spring 2027 semester begins on Monday, January 11, 2027.

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Key Dates for Spring 2027:

First day of classes: Monday, January 11, 2027

Additional Information

Registration dates are based on earned credits plus Winter 2025 attempted credits. Students may need the signature of their advisor. Note the differences in refund deadlines based on the semester/session. Also, note the dates available for dropping a course.

Fall examination periods are scheduled based on the first lecture of the week for the course. All types of hybrid courses and any course not fitting this schedule will have examinations arranged by the instructor in consultation with the Registrar's Office. For exam schedule conflicts, such as three or more exams/culminating experiences on the same day, students should contact their professors for possible alternate exam times. Questions about the examination policy should be directed to Dr. Sections that do not match the schedule will show as "Unavailable". regular meeting time during the final examination period. instructors hold common exams outside the above schedule. schedule template. final exam schedule template. to get a final exam scheduled. and room. page based on the first in-person class meeting day.

Classes Ending by Saturday, September 13 (Parts of Term: A1, A3, and C1). Classes Ending by Saturday, October 11 (Parts of Term: A5, A6, D3, E1, E3, G1, and P9). Classes Ending by Saturday, November 15 (Parts of Term: A10, A11, A7, A7N, A8, A9, D9, F5, I3, J1, J3 and L1). Classes Ending by Saturday, December 13 (Parts of Term: 1, A17, C12, E10, F9, H7, ID, I6, I7, K5, L3, M4, N1 and P19).

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