The following information is to help continuing students understand and navigate the Period I registration start date calculations. For all other students (new, returning former students, ACCESS students, and Tuition Exemption Program students), please refer to our information about Period II and Period III registration periods.
Registration Start Dates for Continuing Students
Your registration start date is calculated based on two factors, your class standing or your priority status.
- Class standing: Your class standing is determined by credits earned as of the Thursday before the first day of Period I registration. Credits added after that date (like transfer credits or late grades) won’t affect your registration start date for the current period.
- Priority status: Some students have a priority status for registration, which qualifies them for early priority registration due to Graduating Senior Priority (GSP), DRS accommodations, veteran status, ROTC, or NCAA athlete status.
Class Standing
Undergraduate Students
Class standing is determined by the total number of credits earned and in progress. Registration priority starts with seniors and moves down through each class level. The following table lists the required credits for each class:
| Class Standing | Credits |
|---|---|
| Senior | 135+ credits earned/in progress |
| Junior | 90-134 credits earned/in progress |
| Sophomore | 45-89 credits earned/in progress |
| First-Year Undergraduate | 0-44 credits earned/in progress |
Graduate and Professional Students
Graduate and Professional students always have an early priority registration date for Period I registration.
Priority Registration Status Eligibility
Priority Registration is an accommodation that gives eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students access to register for courses on the earliest possible date. Review the following information to understand the different priority statuses that can affect your registration start date (DRS, Veterans, National Guard Members, ROTC, NCAA Athletes, and students with Graduating Senior Priority).
Disability Resources for Students (DRS)
Unless you have discussed needing Priority Registration with DRS, and have supplied the appropriate rationale and/or documentation, it’s best to presume you do not have this accommodation.
Learn more about DRS Priority Registration eligibility at the DRS website or contact your DRS advisor for more information.
Understand DRS’ priority registration status
Eligible Veterans and National Guard Members and their spouses, domestic partners, and dependents
We honor our Veterans and National Guard members by providing them and their eligible spouses, domestic partners, and dependents with a priority registration status. Eligibility is determined by information provided during the admissions application process.
Go to the Veterans Education Benefits Office
Contracted ROTC Students and NCAA Athletes
We understand the complicated schedules and obligations of our contracted UW ROTC students and UW NCAA Athletes. To support their unique situations, they are granted a priority status for registration.
Contact ROTC
Learn about Student-Athlete Academic Services
Graduating Senior Priority (GSP)
Graduating seniors or post-baccalaureate students with a degree application on file may register on the second (2nd) day of Registration Period I for the final two quarters. Students who must postpone their graduation may save their priority quarters by not registering before their regular senior priority day. Students who have used their Graduating Senior Priority for two quarters will revert to regular senior priority.
Go to the Undergraduate Checklist for Graduation