Carnegie Mellon University Academic Calendar: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating the academic year requires a clear understanding of important dates and deadlines. This guide provides an overview of the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) academic calendar, focusing on key dates for online programs, registration, financial aid, tuition, payment plans, and deadlines for the upcoming semesters.

CMU Online Semester Calendars

CMU Online offers courses in various formats, including 8-week, 12-week, and 16-week terms. The specific dates for each term vary, so it’s important to consult the relevant calendar.

Spring 2026

Online 8-week class terms:
- Term I: January 12 - March 6
- Term II: January 26 - March 20
- Term A II: March 16 - May 8
Online 12-week class terms: January 26 - April 24
Online 12-week - DHA Program only (cohorts starting FA25 or after): January 12 - April 10
Online 16-week class terms: January 12 - May 8
Spring Break: March 7-15 (Dates are approximate and subject to change.)

Summer 2026

Online 8-week class terms:
- Term I: May 11 - July 3
- Term A II: July 6 - August 28
Online 12-week class terms: May 18 - August 7
Online 12-week - DHA Program only (cohorts starting FA25 or after): May 11 - July 31
Online 16-week class terms: May 12 - August 15

Fall 2026

Online 8-week class terms:
- Term I: August 31 - October 23
- Term II: October 26 - December 18
Online 12-week class terms: September 14 - December 4
Online 12-week - DHA Program only: August 31 - November 20
Online 16-week class terms: August 31 - December 18

Dates are approximate and subject to change.

Multi-Semester Registration

CMU provides the opportunity for multi-semester registration, allowing students to plan their course schedules in advance.

Graduate registration begins: February 17, 2026
Undergraduate priority registration begins: February 18, 2026
Registration ends: Midnight EST 1 day before the start of class

For more information on priority registration, students should consult the official CMU resources.

Read also: Performing Arts Internships

Financial Aid

Financial aid is a crucial aspect of financing education. CMU has specific dates for disbursement and scholarship applications.

First FA disbursement:
- Spring 2026: January 5, 2026
- Summer 2026: May 12, 2026
- Fall 2026: August 21, 2026
FAFSA priority deadline: February 15, 2026 (Fall 2026)
Scholarship applications:
- 2025-2026 scholarship open May 14, 2025
- 2026-2027 scholarship open May 14, 2026

Dates are approximate and are subject to change.

Tuition

Understanding tuition assessment, statements, and due dates is essential for managing finances.

Tuition assessed to student accounts:
- Spring 2026: December 9, 2025
- Summer 2026: May 1, 2026
- Fall 2026: August 3, 2026
Tuition statement sent:
- Spring 2026: January 21, 2026
- Summer 2026: May 1, 2026
- Fall 2026: September 3, 2026
Tuition due:
- Spring 2026: February 2, 2026
- Summer 2026: June 2, 2026
- Fall 2026: October 1, 2026
Refund processing begins:
- Spring 2026: January 14, 2026
- Summer 2026: May 14, 2026
- Fall 2026: August 26, 2026

Dates are approximate and subject to change. Tuition statement dates and due dates may vary depending on the date registered for class.

Payment Plans

CMU offers payment plans to help students manage tuition costs.

Read also: A Guide to CMU Master's

Spring 2026:
- 5 Payment: Last day to enroll online Dec 5, Months of payments Dec - Apr, First Payment Due Dec 10
- 4 Payment: Last day to enroll online Jan 5, Months of payments Jan - Apr, First Payment Due Jan 10
- 3 Payment: Last day to enroll online Feb 5, Months of payments Feb - Apr, First Payment Due Feb 10
Summer 2026:
- 4 Payment: Last day to enroll online Apr 9, 2026, Months of payments Apr - Jul, First Payment Due Apr 10, 2026
- 3 Payment: Last day to enroll online May 9, 2026, Months of payments May - Jul, First Payment Due May 10, 2026

Payment plan fee \$55 (non-refundable enrollment fee drafted immediately from payment method supplied.

Deadlines

Meeting deadlines is crucial for graduation applications and prior learning portfolio submissions.

Graduation Application Deadline:
- Spring: October 1
- Summer: February 1
- Fall: April 1
Prior Learning Portfolio Deadline:
- Spring: February 1
- Summer: May 1
- Fall: September 1

Dates are approximate and are subject to change.

Final grades are due five days following the course end date.

Preferred application submission date for admission is six weeks prior to the start of the term.

Key Dates at a Glance

Here's a consolidated list of important dates extracted from the provided data:

Spring 2026:
- First FA disbursement: Jan 5
- Tuition assessed to student accounts: Dec 9, 2025
- Tuition statement sent: Jan 21
- Tuition due: Feb 2
- Refund processing begins: Jan 14
Summer 2026:
- First FA disbursement: May 12
- Tuition assessed to student accounts: May 1
- Tuition statement sent: May 1
- Tuition due: Jun 2
- Refund processing begins: May 14
Fall 2026:
- First FA disbursement: Aug 21
- FAFSA priority deadline: Feb 15
- Tuition assessed to student accounts: Aug 3
- Tuition statement sent: Sept 3
- Tuition due: Oct 1
- Refund processing begins: Aug 26

tags: #carnegie #mellon #university #academic #calendar