UNL Semester Schedule: Key Dates and Deadlines

Navigating the academic calendar at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) requires careful attention to important dates and deadlines. Missing these dates can impact registration, tuition, refunds, and academic records. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the critical dates for various semesters, including fall, spring, and summer sessions, helping students stay organized and informed.

Fall Semester Schedules

Fall Semester 2024

The Fall Semester 2024 schedule includes several important dates. The semester began on August 21 (Mon.). The last day for full semester course registrations and adds, including adds of thesis or dissertation credits (Census Date), and the last day to drop a full semester course and receive a 100% refund was August 28 (Mon.).

Key dates in September 2024 included:

September 1 (Fri.): Last day to drop a full semester course and receive 75% refund; Last day to file a drop to remove a full semester course from student’s record.
September 2 (Sat.) - November 10 (Fri.): All course withdrawals noted with a grade of “W” on academic record.
September 4 (Mon.): Labor Day (Student and Staff Holiday-UNL offices closed).
September 8 (Fri.): Last day to withdraw from a full semester course and receive 50% refund.
September 12 (Tues.): Last day to submit tuition and fees payment without penalty.
September 15 (Fri.): Last day to withdraw from a full semester course and receive 25% refund; Final day to apply for a degree in December ($25.00 fee due with application).

Other deadlines for the Fall Semester 2024:

October 13 (Fri.): Last day to change a full semester course registration to or from “Pass/No Pass”.
October 16 (Mon.): Law Student Holiday (UNL offices open).
October 16 (Mon.) - 17 (Tues.): Fall Semester Break (Student Holiday, UNL offices open).
October 23 (Mon.) - November 7 (Tue.): Priority Registration for Spring Semester 2024.
November 8 (Wed.): Open Registration begins for Spring Semester 2024.
November 10 (Fri.): Last day to withdraw from one or more full semester courses for the term.
November 22 (Wed.): Student Holiday (UNL offices open).
November 23 - November 26 (Thu.- Sun.): Thanksgiving Vacation (UNL offices closed).
December 1 (Fri.): Last day to apply for undergraduate admissions for Spring 2024.
December 4 - 9 (Mon. - Sat.): Last week of classes.
December 4 - 13 (Mon. - Wed.): Law Student Final Examinations.
December 9 (Sat.): Last day of classes.
December 11 - 15 (Mon.

Fall Semester 2025

Important dates for the Fall 2025 semester include:

Read also: UVA Programs and Deadlines

August 25 (Mon.): Fall Semester begins; Late Registration begins ($100.00 late registration fee assessed).
September 1 (Mon.): Labor Day (Student and Staff Holiday-UNL offices closed).
September 2 (Tue.): Last day for full semester course registrations and adds including adds of thesis or dissertation credits (Census Date); Last day to drop a full semester course and receive 100% refund.
September 5 (Fri.): Last day to drop a full semester course and receive 75% refund; Last day to file a drop to remove a full semester course from student’s record.
September 6 (Sat.) - November 14 (Fri.): All full semester course withdrawals noted with a grade of “W” on academic record.
September 12 (Fri.): Last day to submit tuition and fees payment without penalty; Last day to withdraw from a full semester course and receive 50% refund; Final day to apply for a degree in December ($25.00 fee due with application).
September 19 (Fri.): Last day to withdraw from a full semester course and receive 25% refund.
October 17 (Fri.): Last day to change a full semester course registration to or from “Pass/No Pass”.
October 20 (Mon.): Law Student Fall Semester Break (Law Student Holiday - UNL offices open).
October 20 (Mon.) - 21 (Tue.): Fall Semester Break (Student Holiday - UNL offices open).
October 27 (Mon.) - November 11 (Tue.): Priority Registration for Spring Semester 2026.
November 12 (Wed.): Open Registration begins for Spring Semester 2026; Law Registration begins for Spring Semester 2026.
November 14 (Fri.): Last day to withdraw from one or more full semester courses for the term.
November 26 (Wed.): Student Holiday (UNL offices open).
November 27 - 30 (Thu.- Sun.): Thanksgiving Vacation (UNL offices closed).
December 1 (Mon.): Last day to apply for undergraduate admissions for Spring 2025.
December 8 - 13 (Mon. - Sat.): Last week of classes.
December 8 - 17 (Mon. - Wed.): Law Student Final Examinations.
December 13 (Sat.): Last day of classes.
December 15 - 19 (Mon.

The Fall Semester 2025, spanning from August 25 to December 19 (including Finals), also features these dates:

March 24 (Mon.) - April 8 (Tue.): Priority Registration for Fall Semester 2025.
April 9 (Wed.) - August 24 (Sun.): Open Registration for Fall Semester 2025.
May 1 (Thur.): Last day to apply for undergraduate admissions for Summer and Fall Semester 2025.

Fall 2025: Eight-Week Sessions

The Fall 2025 semester also includes two eight-week sessions. The first session runs from August 25 to October 17, and the second session runs from October 27 to December 19.

First Eight Week Session (August 25-October 17):

August 25 (Mon.): Late Registration begins; First Eight Week session Classes begin*.
August 28 (Thur.): Last day for late registrations and adds for the First Eight Week session; Last day to drop a First Eight Week class and receive a full refund.
August 29 (Fri.): Last day to file a drop to remove a First Eight Week course from student's record.
August 30 (Sat.) - October 3 (Fri.): All First Eight Week course withdrawals noted with a grade of "W" on academic record.
September 1 (Mon.): Labor Day (Student and Staff Holiday-UNL offices closed).
September 2 (Tues.): Last day to drop a First Eight Week session course and receive a 75% refund.
September 5 (Fri). Last day to drop a First Eight Week session course and receive a 50% refund.
September 12 (Fri.): Last day to submit tuition and fee payment without penalty; Last day to drop a First Eight Week session course and receive a 25% refund; Final day to apply for a degree in August ($25.00 fee due with application).
September 19 (Fri.): Last day to change a First Eight Week session course registration to or from "Pass/No Pass".
October 3 (Fri.): Last day to withdraw from one or more courses for the First Eight Week Session.
October 17 (Fri.): Last day of instruction for the First Eight Week session and final examinations.
October 20 (Mon.): Law Student Fall Semester Break (Law Student Holiday - UNL offices open).
October 20 - 21 (Mon.

Second Eight Week Session (October 27-December 19):

October 27 (Mon.): Second Eight Week session Classes begin*.
October 30 (Thur.): Last day for late registrations and adds for the Second Eight Week session; Last day to drop a Second Eight Week class and receive a full refund.
October 31 (Fri.): Last day to file a drop to remove a Second Eight Week course from student's record.
November 1 (Sat.) - December 5 (Fri.): All Second Eight Week course withdrawals noted with a grade of "W" on academic record.
November 3 (Mon.): Last day to drop a Second Eight Week session course and receive a 75% refund.
November 7 (Fri). Last day to drop a Second Eight Week session course and receive a 50% refund.
November 14 (Fri.): Last day to drop a Second Eight Week session course and receive a 25% refund.
November 21 (Fri.): Last day to change a Second Eight Week session course registration to or from "Pass/No Pass".
November 26 (Wed.): Student Holiday (UNL offices open).
November 27 - 30 (Thur.

Spring Semester Schedules

Spring Semester 2025

Key dates for the Spring 2025 Semester include:

January 21 (Tues.) - May 16 (Fri.): Spring 2025 Regular Academic Session.
January 21 (Tues.): Late Registration begins ($100.00 late registration fee assessed).
January 28 (Tues.): Last day for full semester course registrations and adds including adds of thesis or dissertation credits (Census Date); Last day to drop a full semester course and receive 100% refund.
January 31 (Fri.): Last day to file a drop to remove a full semester course from student's record; Last day to drop a full semester course and receive 75% refund; Final day to apply for a degree in May ($25.00 fee due with application).
February 1 (Sat.) - April 18 (Fri.): All course withdrawals noted with a grade of "W" on academic record.
February 7 (Fri.): Last day to withdraw from a full semester course and receive 50% refund.
February 12 (Wed.): Last day to submit tuition and fees payment without penalty.
February 14 (Fri.): Last day to withdraw from a full semester course and receive 25% refund.
March 3 (Mon.) - May 18 (Sun.): Open Registration for Summer Sessions 2025.
March 14 (Fri.): Last day to change a full semester course registration to or from "Pass/No Pass".
March 16 (Sun.) - March 22 (Sun.): Spring Vacation (UNL offices are open Monday through Friday).
March 24 (Mon.) - April 8 (Tue.): Priority Registration for Fall Semester 2025.
April 9 (Wed.) - Aug 24 (Sun.): Open Registration for Fall Semester 2025.
April 18 (Fri.): Last day to withdraw from one or more full semester courses for the term.
May 1 (Thurs.): Last day to apply for undergraduate admissions for Summer and Fall Semester 2025.
May 5 - May 10 (Mon. - Sat.): Last Week of classes.
May 10 (Sat.): Last day of classes.
May 12 - May 16 (Mon.

Spring Semester 2026

The Spring Semester 2026 has the following schedule:

January 12-May 8, 2026 (Includes Finals)*
October 27 (Mon.) - November 11 (Tue.) 2025: Priority Registration for Spring Semester 2026
November 12 (Wed.) 2025 - January 11 (Sun.) 2026: Open Registration for Spring Semester 2026
January 5 (Mon.): First day UNL offices are open in 2026
January 12 (Mon.): Spring Semester begins; Late Registration begins ($100.00 late registration fee assessed)
January 19 (Mon.): Martin Luther King Day (Student and Staff Holiday-UNL offices closed)
January 20 (Tue.): Last day for full semester course registrations and adds including adds of thesis or dissertation credits (Census Date); Last day to drop a full semester course and receive 100% refund
January 23 (Fri.): Last day to file a drop to remove a full semester course from student's record; Last day to drop a full semester course and receive 75% refund; Final day to apply for a degree in May ($25.00 fee due with application)
January 24 (Sat.) - April 10 (Fri.): All full semester course withdrawals noted with a grade of "W" on academic record
January 30 (Fri.): Last day to withdraw from a full semester course and receive 50% refund
February 6 (Fri.): Last day to withdraw from a full semester course and receive 25% refund
February 12 (Thurs.): Last day to submit tuition and fees payment without penalty
March 2 (Mon.) - May 17 (Sun.): Open Registration for Summer Sessions 2026
March 6 (Fri.): Last day to change a full semester course registration to or from "Pass/No Pass"
March 15 (Sun.) - March 22 (Sun.): Spring Vacation (UNL offices are open Monday through Friday)
March 23 (Mon.) - April 7 (Tue.): Priority Registration for Fall Semester 2026
April 8 (Wed.) - Aug 23 (Sun.): Open Registration for Fall Semester 2026
April 10 (Fri.): Last day to withdraw from one or more full semester courses for the term
May 1 (Fri.): Last day to apply for undergraduate admissions for Summer and Fall Semester 2026
April 27 - May 2 (Mon. - Sat.): Last Week of classes**
April 27 - May 6 (Mon. - Wed.): Law Student Final Examinations
May 2 (Sat.): Last day of classes
May 4 - May 8 (Mon.

Spring 2026: Eight-Week Session

The second eight-week session for Spring 2026 runs from March 9-May 8, 2026:

October 27 (Mon.) - November 11 (Tue.) 2025: Priority Registration for Spring Semester 2026
November 12 (Wed.) 2025 - January 11 (Sun.) 2026: Open Registration for Spring Semester 2026
January 5 (Mon.): First day UNL offices are open in 2026
January 12 (Mon.): Late Registration begins ($100.00 late registration fee assessed)
March 9 (Mon.): Spring 2026 Second Eight Week session begins
March 12 (Thur.): Last day for Second Eight Week session course registrations and adds
March 12 (Thur.): Last day to drop a Second Eight Week session course and receive 100% refund
March 13 (Fri.): Last day to file a drop to remove a Second Eight Week session course from student's record
March 14 (Sat.) - April 24 (Fri.): All Second Eight Week course withdrawals noted with a grade of "W" on academic record
March 15 - 22 (Sun.

Summer Semester Schedules

Summer 2025

Summer 2025 Semester Begins. Classes will periodically convene and conclude according to dates and times shown on the class schedule on MyBLUE. All students must complete their registration by the first class day. *Mini Session Courses follow prorated dates for deadlines, tuition charges and refunds. Academic calendars are subject to change without notice. The University reserves the right to revise or change rules, charges, fees, schedules, courses, requirements for degrees, and other regulations affecting students including, but not limited to, evaluation standards, whenever considered necessary or desirable. The University reserves the right to cancel any course for insufficient registration and to phase out any program.

UNMC Specific Dates

For Graduate Studies and the Colleges of Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health, there are specific dates regarding course drops and transcript notations.

Course(s) dropped between September 1, 2025 and November 14, 2025 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between June 4, 2025 and October 18, 2025 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. See College of Medicine for course specific withdrawal dates. Course(s) dropped between June 30, 2025 and Last Day to WITHDRAW will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between July 7, 2025 and October 29, 2025 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between July 14, 2025 and Last Day to WITHDRAW will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between August 25, 2025 and November 12, 2025 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between September 1, 2025 and November 9, 2025 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between September 9, 2025 and November 16, 2025 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between September 9, 2025 and June 5, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’.

Course(s) dropped between January 19, 2026 and April 3, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between January 5, 2026 and October 2, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between January 9, 2026 and May 7, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between January 12, 2026 and March 22, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between January 12, 2026 and March 27, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between January 12, 2026 and March 22, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between January 12, 2026 and April 1, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between January 12, 2026 and April 15, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between January 12, 2026 and Last Day to WITHDRAW will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between January 12, 2026 and Last Day to WITHDRAW will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between January 12, 2026 and March 31, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between January 19, 2026 and April 17, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between January 19, 2026 and Last Day to WITHDRAW will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’.

Course(s) dropped between May 25, 2026 and July 18, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between June 15, 2026 and July 24, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between May 6, 2024 and July 12, 2024 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between May 11, 2026 and July 24, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between May 11, 2026 and July 19, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between May 18, 2026 and August 15, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between May 18, 2026 and July 6, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between May 25, 2026 and July 3, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between May 25, 2026 and June 24, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between May 25, 2026 and June 23, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between May 24, 2026 and June 24, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between June 4, 2026 and June 22, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’. Course(s) dropped between July 16, 2026 and August 4, 2026 will appear on the UNMC transcript with a grade of ‘W’.

General Information

Application for Winter Graduation open through September 15. Last day for open full-semester registration and adds. Last day to apply for Winter Graduation. *Mini Session Courses follow prorated dates for deadlines, tuition charges and refunds. Academic calendars are subject to change without notice. The University reserves the right to revise or change rules, charges, fees, schedules, courses, requirements for degrees, and other regulations affecting students including, but not limited to, evaluation standards, whenever considered necessary or desirable. The University reserves the right to cancel any course for insufficient registration and to phase out any program.

Application for Spring Graduation open through February 1. Last day to apply for Spring Graduation. *Mini Session Courses follow prorated dates for deadlines, tuition charges and refunds. Academic calendars are subject to change without notice. The University reserves the right to revise or change rules, charges, fees, schedules, courses, requirements for degrees, and other regulations affecting students including, but not limited to, evaluation standards, whenever considered necessary ro desirable. The University reserves the right to cancel any course for insufficient registration and to phase out any program.

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