Winter Session Dates & Details

All students new and returning need an enrollment appoinment window (registration date) to enroll for each semester and term. Use the New Record Creation OR Returning Student Confirmation link to either create a new record or update an existing record to (re)gain access to the CSUF Portal, and activate your program and term to enroll via Open University. The enrollment appointment window appears in the Manage Classes tile in the Student Homepage.

*Assign winter appointments before spring if you are planning to enroll in both terms.

Returning Student? Check out the Returning Student drop down below.

During the early enrollment periods noted below by session type:  You may enroll into open course sections ONLY with no other permissions required, unless you must demonstrate documentation of prerequisites completed outside of CSUF.

To request a permit, use and complete this Request for Permit Form and email the academic department using the designated email listed at Dept Email Address List.  Academic departments may also consult with instructors regarding this permission. To document completed prerequisites, include an unofficial transcript. Remember to include both your completed Request for Permit Form and supporting documentation when contacting the Academic Department. 

You will need to request a permit to enroll from the academic department of the course to demonstrate prerequisites completed outside of CSUF OR for closed/waitlisted classes.  The permit must be in place to proceed with enrollment in the Manage Classes tile.

• Course Prerequisite Documentation: If the course you would like to enroll has a prerequisite that you completed outside of CSUF, you will first need to request a permit from the academic department and include prerequisite documentation (such as an unofficial transcript), even if the course is open.
• Closed/Waitlisted Sections: You may request a permit from the academic department of the course to enroll into sections displaying as closed or waitlisted. (Waitlists are for admitted students only.)

All course and mandatory fees are due in full at the time of registration. When you register into any course, you are prompted to acknowledge the fee payment policy.

If payment is not received, you may be disenrolled without notice. If you are dropped or disenrolled on or after the session start date and during the posted Drop Periods, 35% of fees will still be owed and a financial hold may be placed on your record. See Dates & Details below. 

Please consult EIP Student Services for any questions on payment of fees, including pending loans, or third party payments. In the Financial Account tile, located in the Student Homepage:

• Select the Account Services tab, then Account Activity to generate the amount due. Next, select "Make a Payment" and proceed; Reference the OU Payment Guide. For a review of the fee structure and administrative logistics, check out Fees & Resources. 

Please review Instructions to Enroll as well as the winter session specific dates and details below.  The first step is to assign an OU Enrollment Appoinment. If you receive an error message, try clearing the "cookies/cache" in your browser.

*Activate a winter appointments before spring, if you plan to enroll in both terms. 

Updating your record may be three parts:

Part 1: If you no longer have access to log into the CSUF Student Portal, select the Returning Student Confirmation link and follow the prompts to request access as a returning student. Within 24-48 hours you will be able to log into the Student Portal with your prior username and password. If you do not recall your previous username and password, use the "Need help logging in?" link to reset.  If you cannot reset your username and password in the Portal, and are unable to login, then contact CSUF Student IT Helpdesk for assistance.

If you already have access to log into the CSUF Student Portal, then login and review the Manage Classes steps in the Returning Student: Enrollment Appointment Guide.

Part 2: Once you have logged into the CSUF Student Portal, update your profile.

Part 3: Review the Manage Classes steps in the Returning Student: Enrollment Appointment Guide to activate your program and term for winter 2026 in the Open University plan. This is what prompts an enrollment appointment window in the Manage Classes tile.  The appointment will appear 24-48 hours after this step is completed.

• Activate a winter appointment before spring, and a summer appointment before fall if planning to enroll in both terms.

Important Notes:

• Students who have experienced undergraduate academic disqualification from CSUF may enroll in a maximum of 3 units for winter.  Enrollment into additional units over that limit could result in administrative enrollment cancellation.  Please discuss this with one of the Open University Advisors.
• Graduation candidates (undergraduate) for the recent fall term may not term activate for winter Open University without guidance from the Graduation Unit in Registration & Records. Please contact CSUF Graduation Unit first to determine if enrollment via Open University in winter is an appropriate action. 
• Graduation candidates (graduate level) for the recent fall term may not term activate for winter Open University without guidance from the Graduate Studies Office. Please contact Graduate Studies first to determine if enrollment via Open University in winter is an appropriate action.