Academic Calendar

NDSU Academic Calendar 2026‑2027: Important Dates

By eriq elikplim
NDSU academic calendar, Important Dates.

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The NDSU Academic Calendar 2026‑2027 brings together every critical date you need from application and enrollment deadlines, tuition payment due dates, and course add/drop periods to campus holidays and final exam schedules.

The North Dakota State University academic calendar allows students to stay on top of NDSU term dates, track NDSU registration deadlines, plan around the NDSU exam schedule, and never miss the last day to withdraw without penalty or the opening of Summer Session enrollment.

North Dakota State University follows a traditional semester system with consistent term lengths and flexible summer options:

  • Fall Semester (mid-August to early December; 14 weeks of instruction + 1 week of finals) – so if you’re asking how long a semester is at NDSU, expect about 15 weeks in total.
  • Spring Semester (mid January to early May; 14 instructional weeks + 1 week of finals)
  • Summer Sessions are split into Session I (7 weeks: May–June) and Session II (7 weeks: July–August), each with its own add/drop and fee deadlines for accelerated or makeup courses.

Whether you’re mapping out a 15‑week semester workload, checking when you can register at NDSU, or choosing between Summer Session I and II modules, the NDSU Academic Calendar 2026‑2027 is your definitive guide to every date and deadline you need to thrive at NDSU.

NDSU Academic Calendar Fall 2026

  1. Classes begin at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2026.
  2. The first full day of classes is Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
  3. The last day to be added to Campus Connection wait lists is Monday, August 31, 2026.
  4. The last day to add classes via Campus Connection is Wednesday, September 2, 2026, after which a permit is required.
  5. The last day to drop full-semester classes with no record and receive a 100% refund is Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
  6. The last day to withdraw to zero credits and receive a 100% refund for full-semester classes is Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
  7. Attempted credits for financial aid satisfactory academic progress (SAP) are calculated at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
  8. The last day to finalize a Bison Ready participation level through the Bison Ready portal is Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
  9. Financial aid is based on enrollment status as of 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
  10. Labor Day is observed on Monday, September 7, 2026, and there are no classes while university offices are closed.
  11. Financial aid is applied to NDSU account balances on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
  12. Payments for NDSU account balances are due on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
  13. The last day to submit a North Dakota Resident Student Status Application for Fall is Friday, September 11, 2026.
  14. The last day to submit requests for Audit or Pass/Fail grading is Monday, September 14, 2026.
  15. Enrollment Census takes place on Monday, September 21, 2026.
  16. The last day to withdraw to zero credits and receive a 75% refund for full-semester classes is Friday, October 2, 2026.
  17. The Spring and Summer course schedule becomes available during the first week of October 2026.
  18. Spring registration appointment times become available during the second week of October 2026.
  19. Late fees are applied to unpaid account balances at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
  20. Graduate student Fall graduation applications are due on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
  21. Undergraduate Fall graduation applications are due on Friday, October 16, 2026.
  22. Grades of “Incomplete” convert to “F” on Friday, October 16, 2026.
  23. The second half (8-week session) of the Fall semester begins on Monday, October 19, 2026.
  24. Spring registration begins online based on total credits on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
  25. The last day to withdraw to zero credits and receive a 50% refund for full-semester classes is Sunday, November 1, 2026. No refunds are issued after this date.
  26. Veterans Day is observed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, and there are no classes while university offices are closed.
  27. The last day to drop classes with a “W” record is Friday, November 13, 2026.
  28. The last day to withdraw to zero credits for the Fall semester is Friday, November 13, 2026.
  29. Graduate student post-defense submissions for format review are due on Friday, November 13, 2026.
  30. Late fees are applied to unpaid account balances at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, 2026.
  31. The deadline to participate in Fall commencement is Friday, November 20, 2026.
  32. Registration appointment times are no longer required for Spring registration beginning Monday, November 23, 2026.
  33. Thanksgiving holiday break takes place from Wednesday, November 25, 2026 to Friday, November 27, 2026; classes are not held, offices are closed on Thursday, and offices remain open on Wednesday and Friday.
  34. Dead Week takes place from Monday, December 7, 2026 to Friday, December 11, 2026.
  35. Grade entry begins on Tuesday, December 8, 2026.
  36. The last day of Fall classes is Friday, December 11, 2026.
  37. The Graduate Student Final Degree Clearance deadline is Friday, December 11, 2026.
  38. Final examinations are held from Monday, December 14, 2026 to Friday, December 18, 2026.
  39. Late fees are applied to unpaid account balances at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15, 2026.
  40. Commencement ceremonies take place on Friday, December 18, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex.
  41. Grades are due by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2026.
  42. Student access to grades begins online during the late evening of Tuesday, December 22, 2026.
  43. NDSU offices close at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 24, 2026.
  44. Christmas Day is observed on Friday, December 25, 2026, and university offices are closed.
  45. The graduation fee for Graduate Plan C students is due on Thursday, December 31, 2026.

NDSU Academic Calendar Spring 2027

  1. New Year’s Day is observed on Friday, January 1, 2027, and university offices are closed.
  2. Classes begin at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 11, 2027.
  3. The first full day of classes is Tuesday, January 12, 2027.
  4. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed on Monday, January 18, 2027, and there are no classes while university offices are closed.
  5. The last day to be added to Campus Connection wait lists is Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
  6. The last day to add classes via Campus Connection is Thursday, January 21, 2027, after which a permit is required.
  7. The last day to drop full-semester classes with no record and receive a 100% refund is Thursday, January 21, 2027.
  8. The last day to withdraw to zero credits and receive a 100% refund for full-semester classes is Thursday, January 21, 2027.
  9. Attempted credits for financial aid satisfactory academic progress (SAP) are calculated at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2027.
  10. The last day to finalize a Bison Ready participation level through the Bison Ready portal is Thursday, January 21, 2027.
  11. Financial aid is based on enrollment status as of 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 22, 2027.
  12. Financial aid is applied to NDSU account balances on Tuesday, January 26, 2027.
  13. Payments for NDSU account balances are due on Wednesday, January 27, 2027.
  14. The last day to submit a North Dakota Resident Student Status Application for Spring is Friday, January 29, 2027.
  15. The last day to submit requests for Audit or Pass/Fail grading is Monday, February 1, 2027.
  16. Enrollment Census takes place on Monday, February 8, 2027.
  17. Presidents’ Day is observed on Monday, February 15, 2027, and there are no classes while university offices are closed.
  18. The last day to withdraw to zero credits and receive a 75% refund for full-semester classes is Monday, February 22, 2027.
  19. The Fall course schedule becomes available during the first week of March 2027.
  20. Fall registration appointment times become available during the second week of March 2027.
  21. Grades of “Incomplete” convert to “F” on Friday, March 5, 2027.
  22. Undergraduate Spring graduation applications are due on Friday, March 5, 2027.
  23. Spring Break Week 2027 takes place from Monday, March 8, 2027 to Friday, March 12, 2027, and no classes are held while university offices remain open.
  24. A late fee is applied to unpaid account balances at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2027.
  25. The second half (8-week session) of the Spring semester begins on Monday, March 15, 2027.
  26. Graduate Spring and Summer graduation applications are due on Wednesday, March 17, 2027.
  27. The last day to withdraw to zero credits and receive a 50% refund for full-semester classes is Thursday, March 25, 2027, after which no refunds will be issued.
  28. Summer course registration opens to all students and Fall course registration begins based on total credits completed on Thursday, March 25, 2027.
  29. NDSU Spring Recess takes place from Friday, March 26, 2027 to Monday, March 29, 2027; classes are not held, offices are closed on Friday, and offices are open on Monday.
  30. The last day to drop classes with a “W” record is Friday, April 9, 2027.
  31. The last day to withdraw to zero credits for the Spring semester is Friday, April 9, 2027.
  32. Late fees are applied to unpaid account balances at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, 2027.
  33. Graduate student post-defense submissions for format review are due on Friday, April 16, 2027.
  34. The deadline to participate in Spring commencement is Friday, April 16, 2027.
  35. Registration appointment times are no longer required for Fall registration beginning Monday, April 19, 2027.
  36. Dead Week takes place from Monday, May 3, 2027 to Friday, May 7, 2027.
  37. Grade entry begins on Tuesday, May 4, 2027.
  38. The last day of Spring classes is Friday, May 7, 2027.
  39. Final examinations are held from Monday, May 10, 2027 to Friday, May 14, 2027.
  40. The Graduate Student Final Degree Clearance deadline is Friday, May 14, 2027.
  41. Late fees are applied to unpaid account balances at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2027.
  42. Commencement ceremonies take place on Saturday, May 15, 2027 at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the Fargodome.
  43. Grades are due by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2027.
  44. Student access to grades begins online during the late evening of Tuesday, May 18, 2027.
  45. The graduation fee for Graduate Plan C students is due on Monday, May 31, 2027.

NDSU Academic Calendar Summer 2026

  1. Memorial Day (no classes; offices closed) is observed on Monday, May 25, 2026.
  2. Undergraduate/Professional Summer Graduation Applications are due Friday, June 12, 2026.
  3. Attempted credits are calculated for financial aid SAP at 11:59 PM on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
  4. Financial Aid Census (Pell/TEACH/State Grants based on enrollment) occurs at 11:59 PM on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
  5. Financial aid applies to NDSU accounts once enrollment requirements are met on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
  6. Payments for Summer account balances are due Thursday, June 25, 2026.
  7. Independence Day (no classes; offices closed) is observed on Friday, July 3, 2026.
  8. The ND Resident Student Status Application deadline is Friday, July 10, 2026.
  9. Graduate student Post-Defense Submissions for Format Review are due Friday, July 10, 2026.
  10. Enrollment Census occurs on Monday, July 13, 2026.
  11. Graduate Summer Application for Degree and Fee (Certificate/Plan C) is due Friday, August 7, 2026.
  12. The Graduate student Final Degree Clearance Deadline is Friday, August 7, 2026.
  13. The last day of Summer classes is Friday, August 7, 2026.
  14. Late fees apply to unpaid account balances at 11:59 PM on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

4-Week Session 1

  1. Classes begin Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
  2. The last day to join waitlists is Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
  3. The last day to add classes (permit required after) is Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
  4. The last day for no-record drop (100% refund) is Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
  5. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (100% refund) is Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
  6. The last day to request Audit/Pass-Fail grading is Friday, May 22, 2026.
  7. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (75% refund) is Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
  8. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (50% refund) is Monday, June 1, 2026 (no refunds after).
  9. The last day to drop classes with a ‘W’ recorded is Thursday, June 4, 2026.
  10. Classes end Friday, June 12, 2026.
  11. Grades are due at noon on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
  12. Student grade access begins late evening on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

8-Week Session 1

  1. Classes begin Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
  2. The last day to join waitlists is Thursday, May 21, 2026.
  3. The last day to add classes (permit required after) is Friday, May 22, 2026.
  4. The last day for no-record drop (100% refund) is Friday, May 22, 2026.
  5. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (100% refund) is Friday, May 22, 2026.
  6. The last day to request Audit/Pass-Fail grading is Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
  7. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (75% refund) is Friday, June 5, 2026.
  8. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (50% refund) is Thursday, June 18, 2026 (no refunds after).
  9. The last day to drop classes with a ‘W’ recorded is Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
  10. Classes end Friday, July 10, 2026.
  11. Grades are due at noon on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
  12. Student grade access begins late evening on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

12-Week Session

  1. Classes begin Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
  2. The last day to join waitlists is Thursday, May 21, 2026.
  3. The last day to add classes (permit required after) is Monday, May 25, 2026.
  4. The last day for no-record drop (100% refund) is Monday, May 25, 2026.
  5. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (100% refund) is Monday, May 25, 2026.
  6. The last day to request Audit/Pass-Fail grading is Monday, May 25, 2026.
  7. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (75% refund) is Monday, June 15, 2026.
  8. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (50% refund) is Sunday, July 5, 2026 (no refunds after).
  9. The last day to drop classes with a ‘W’ recorded is Monday, July 13, 2026.
  10. Classes end Friday, August 7, 2026.
  11. Grades are due at noon on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
  12. Student grade access begins late evening on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

4-Week Session 2

  1. Classes begin Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
  2. The last day to join waitlists is Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
  3. The last day to add classes (permit required after) is Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
  4. The last day for no-record drop (100% refund) is Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
  5. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (100% refund) is Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
  6. The last day to request Audit/Pass-Fail grading is Friday, June 19, 2026.
  7. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (75% refund) is Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
  8. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (50% refund) is Monday, June 29, 2026 (no refunds after).
  9. The last day to drop classes with a ‘W’ recorded is Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
  10. Classes end Friday, July 10, 2026.
  11. Grades are due at noon on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
  12. Student grade access begins late evening on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

8-Week Session 2

  1. Classes begin Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
  2. The last day to join waitlists is Thursday, June 18, 2026.
  3. The last day to add classes (permit required after) is Friday, June 19, 2026.
  4. The last day for no-record drop (100% refund) is Friday, June 19, 2026.
  5. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (100% refund) is Friday, June 19, 2026.
  6. The last day to request Audit/Pass-Fail grading is Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
  7. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (75% refund) is Friday, July 3, 2026.
  8. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (50% refund) is Thursday, July 16, 2026 (no refunds after).
  9. The last day to drop classes with a ‘W’ recorded is Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
  10. Classes end Friday, August 7, 2026.
  11. Grades are due at noon on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
  12. Student grade access begins late evening on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

4-Week Session 3

  1. Classes begin Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
  2. The last day to join waitlists is Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
  3. The last day to add classes (permit required after) is Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
  4. The last day for no-record drop (100% refund) is Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
  5. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (100% refund) is Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
  6. The last day to request Audit/Pass-Fail grading is Friday, July 17, 2026.
  7. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (75% refund) is Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
  8. The last day to withdraw to zero credits (50% refund) is Monday, July 27, 2026 (no refunds after).
  9. The last day to drop classes with a ‘W’ recorded is Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
  10. Classes end Friday, August 7, 2026.
  11. Grades are due at noon on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
  12. Student grade access begins late evening on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

For more on the NDSU Academic Calendar 2026-2027, visit the North Dakota State University Calendar website.

eriq elikplim
eriq elikplimhttps://acadcalendar.com
Eric Elikplim is the lead editor of AcadCalendar.com. Eriq draws on 10 years of experience in edtech and project management. He has collaborated directly with multiple universities, establishing processes to cross-check term dates, registration deadlines, and exam schedules. Beyond calendar data, Eriq contributes thought leadership on academic productivity: he has authored articles on semester planning, and consulted with student organizations to refine reminder features and user experience.

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