USC Fall Semester: Key Dates, Deadlines, and Academic Calendar Information

This article provides a comprehensive overview of essential information pertaining to the University of Southern California (USC) Fall semester, drawing from the academic calendar and related deadlines. It covers key dates for Fall 2025, as well as important deadlines related to registration, financial aid, leaves of absence, and graduation. The information is intended to help students, graduate students, and graduate student workers navigate the academic year effectively.

Academic Calendar Overview

The University Academic Calendar is the central resource for identifying instructional days and holidays. It includes important academic dates and deadlines for the academic year, including quarter start and end dates, holidays, enrollment windows, operational deadlines, and graduation requirements. For specific courses, students should consult the Schedule of Classes to find registration dates. All registration changes must be submitted by 5:00 pm PST on the respective deadline date.

Key Dates for Fall 2025

Here's a breakdown of the important dates for the Fall 2025 semester:

Quarter Begins: Sept. 20, 2025
Instruction Begins: Sept. 25, 2025
Instruction Ends: Dec. 5, 2025
Final Examinations: Dec. 8 - 12, 2025
Quarter Ends: Dec. 12, 2025
Grades Due: Dec. 17, 2025

Quarterly Operational Deadlines - Fall 2025

Several operational deadlines are crucial for students to keep in mind during the Fall 2025 semester:

Graduate Leave of Absence: The deadline to petition for a Leave of Absence (except for emergencies) is Aug. 7, 2025.
Bills Available on UCSC eBill/ePay: Bills, including registration and housing fees, will be available on UCSC eBill/ePay starting Aug. 29, 2025.
Student Health Insurance Waiver: The deadline to apply for a waiver for student health insurance is Sept. 19, 2025.
Financial Aid Disbursed to Student Accounts: Financial aid will be disbursed to student accounts on Sept. 16, 2025.
Minimum Credit Limit Enforced: A minimum credit limit of twelve credits for undergraduates and five credits for graduates will be enforced starting Sept. 16, 2025. Students can still add courses through the Add/Drop/Swap deadline.
Housing and Dining Fees Due: Housing and dining fees are due on Sept. 17, 2025.
Undergraduate Registration Fees Due: Undergraduate registration fees are also due on Sept. 17, 2025.
Graduate Late Leave of Absence Deadline: The deadline to petition for a LOA and receive a full registration fees refund is Sept. 25, 2025.
Withdraw from the University: The deadline to file to withdraw during the quarter and receive a full registration fees refund is Sept. 25, 2025.
Waitlists End/Class Permission Numbers Required: The waitlist process ends, and permission numbers are required to add classes starting Oct. 4, 2025. Students cannot edit secondary sections after this date.
Graduate Student Enrollment and Fee Payment Deadline: Fees are to be paid at the Financial Service Center by Oct. 9, 2025.
Graduate Student Part-time or In-Absentia Status: The deadline to apply for a reduced class load and fees is Oct. 9, 2025.
Add/Drop/Swap Classes Ends: The deadline to process enrollment transactions is Oct. 15, 2025. Students should be fully enrolled by this date.
Opt Out of UCSA and UCGPACOpt-out: deadline for UC Student Association and Graduate Student Association fees is Oct. 15, 2025.
Undergraduate Part-time program: Deadline to apply and submit documentation for a reduced class load and fees is Oct. 15, 2025.
Late Add by Permission Begins: Late add with permission number begins on Oct. 16, 2025.
Undergraduate Withdraw from a Class Begins: Students petition for a W (Withdraw) notation starting Oct. 16, 2025.
Declaration/Change of Major/Minor: The deadline to file a petition to be effective for enrollment the following quarter is Oct. 24, 2025.
Undergraduate Withdraw from a Class Ends: The deadline to drop a class with a “W” (Withdraw) notation, except for emergency reasons, is Nov. 5, 2025. Student drops after this date result in a “NP” (no pass) notation.
Undergraduate Credit by Petition Ends: The deadline to file a petition to challenge a class is Nov. 5, 2025.
Withdraw from UCSC / Leave of Absence:
- Undergraduates: deadline to petition to withdraw during the quarter (except for emergency reasons) or to request a leave of absence is Nov. 5, 2025.
- Graduates: deadline to withdraw during the quarter, except for emergency reasons, is Nov. 5, 2025.
Change of College: The deadline to file a petition to be effective the following quarter is Nov. 21, 2025.
Undergraduate / GRAD Grade Change Option: Deadline to change grade option is Nov. 30, 2025.
Undergraduate No Pass From a Class Ends: The deadline to file a petition for a NP (No Pass) grade except for emergency reasons is Nov. 30, 2025.
Undergrad/Grad Late Add by Permission Ends: The deadline to add a class by permission or petition is Nov. 30, 2025.
Undergrad/Grad Removal of Incomplete: The deadline to file a petition and submit class work for an Incomplete grade from the preceding quarter. Undergraduates: from preceding quarter. Graduates: within the last three quarters is Dec. 12, 2025.
Grades Due From Instructors: Grades are due from instructors on Dec. 17, 2025.

Deadlines for Announcing Candidacy for Degree / Applying to Graduate - Fall 2025

For students planning to graduate, here are the deadlines for Fall 2025:

Read also: IU Bloomington Fall Semester

UNDERGRADUATE:
- Deadline for timely processing: Oct. 24, 2025.
- Deadline to complete all requirements for degree and for the Office of the Registrar to receive transcripts from other institutions. Documentation received after this deadline will delay graduation processing: Dec. 12, 2025.
- Final deadline for the previous quarter: Jan. 23, 2026.
GRADUATE STUDENTS:
- Deadline to announce for master’s or Ph.D., or pay for filing fee, if applicable: Oct. 9, 2025.
- Deadline to complete all requirements for degree: Dec. 12, 2025.

Intercampus Visitor / Exchange - Fall 2025

Undergraduates: Deadline to file the application is Apr. 30, 2025.
Graduate Students: Deadline to file the application is Aug. 25, 2025 (Aug. 1, 2025, UC Berkeley and UC Merced).

Readmission - Fall 2025

Undergraduate Readmission Application:
- Filing period for priority/first pass enrollment: Jan. 1 - Mar. 31
- Summer/Fall extended Application PeriodLate submission after Mar. 31 may affect enrollment appointments: Apr. 1 - May 31
Graduate Studies Application for Readmission: Jul. 31, 2025

Financial Aid Information

March 2, 2026: Deadline to file the FAFSA at fafsa.gov or the California Dream Act Application at dream.csac.ca.gov for Fall 2026 enrollment.

USC Social Work Academic Calendar

The USC Social Work Academic Calendar may have different start dates for specific programs, such as the Advanced Standing Summer Program (Campus & VAC) and the first semester VAC-MSN-Bridge Program. Students in these programs should refer to the Registration Guide provided by Enrollment Services for accurate dates.

Session Codes

It's important to note that session codes represent not only the dates of courses but also non-standard tuition amounts, off-campus locations, and the type of instruction (i.e., online). Students should pay close attention to these codes when registering for courses.

Read also: The Length of a College Semester

Read also: Fall Semester at ASU: Key Dates

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