Registration and Enrollment
We are here to support you with responsive, student-centered service delivered with care and integrity—so navigating life at GovState is easier and more accessible for you.
Spring 2026 Registration
The Spring 2026 term officially starts on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Priority registration for Spring 2026 begins Monday, October 27 at 9 a.m. Student Athletes, Honors College students, and Veterans and active-duty students register first; newly admitted and undeclared/non-degree students register on the fifth day. Review the information below for details.
Spring 2026 Priority Registration
Student Athletes, Honors College students, Veterans, and active-duty students register on the earliest date, while newly admitted and undeclared/non-degree students register on the fifth day.
Registration for Spring 2026 begins Monday, October 27.
Day | Level | GovState Hours Earned | Time |
Monday | Undergraduates | 35+ | 9 a.m. |
Master's | 20+ | ||
Doctoral | 11+ | ||
Tuesday | Undergraduates | 18-34 | 9 a.m. |
Master's | 10-19 | ||
Doctoral | 6-10 | ||
Wednesday | Undergraduates | 9-17 | 9 a.m. |
Master's | 6-9 | ||
Doctoral | 1-5 | ||
Thursday | Undergraduates | 8 or less | 9 a.m. |
Master's | 5 or less | ||
Friday | ALL | All New Spring 2026 Students & | 9 a.m. |
Login to the MyGSU Student portal
Before you begin...
You will need to know your GovState username and password to register. If you do not know your GovState username and password, please contact the Helpdesk at 708.534.4357. When contacting the Helpdesk, you will need to know your GovState student ID number.
Go to Register for Sections
- The GovState Self-Service button on the MyGSU Student Portal.
Find Classes and Register
- Once in Self Service select the appropriate term and select the subject.
- Once you find your class, follow these steps to register.
Students can add courses anytime during the registration period as listed in the current academic calendar. The academic calendar can also be found in the GovState Registration Instruction booklet. Note: courses will NOT be added after the registration period ends.
Deadline details for specific courses can be found in Self-Service under “Additional Information” when viewing section details either from “Search for Courses” or from your own schedule in “Plan & Schedule.” Classes dropped after the specified deadlines will appear on your transcript as a “W".
NOTE: If you are receiving financial aid, you must contact the Financial Aid Office before dropping or withdrawing from a class to determine how this action will affect your financial aid. Your failure to do so may impact your eligibility.
- You are responsible for paying tuition and fees by the payment deadline.
- You are responsible for dropping courses for which you may have registered in error.
- You are responsible for adding/withdrawing from courses within the established timelines. These dates will be available on 'Search for Sections' in the myGSU portal and on your Class Schedule.
- You may not register for courses without meeting the course requirements (e.g. prerequisites).
- Degree-seeking students should select courses based on their approved Study Plan.
- You should contact your academic advisor for assistance in securing a student petition to enroll in permission courses, carry an overload (more than 18 hours in a 15-week session), or, for undergraduates, to enroll in graduate-level courses in the last term of their undergraduate programs.
The payment deadline is based on your registration date. The Financial Services office may clarify payment dates.
- Cashier's Office - cashier@govst.edu
- Student Accounts - studentaccts@govst.edu
Payment may be made via the GSU Portal, through the mail or at the Cashier’s Office using check, cash, money order, MasterCard®, Visa® or Discover® Card. Please DO NOT send cash through the mail.
When dropping or adding courses, please drop course(s) first before adding new courses. All unwanted course(s) must be dropped by the 100% refund deadline or you will be obligated to pay for the course(s). You may withdraw from courses online. See the online schedule of classes for refund and withdrawal deadline details for specific courses.
The tuition calculator will help you determine your estimated tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 academic year.
If you are a new freshman student, you will register for your Fall 2025 classes by meeting with your academic advisor at orientation.
To register for classes, follow the steps below. You must log in to your myGSU portal to complete the registration process, so have your username and password ready.
If you are a new transfer student entering Fall 2025, you will be able to register through the myGSU student portal on the last day of priority registration.
If you are a new transfer student entering Fall 2025, you will be able to register through the myGSU student portal on the last day of priority registration.
If you were on academic suspension or did not register for classes for six terms, you need to be re-admitted before you can register for classes. Please contact the Office of Admissions for assistance.
Additional registration guides are found on the myGSU portal homepage.
Class Registration
Registering for classes is something that you look forward to each semester. Use your Student Study Plan, your Degree Audit, and your Academic Advisor as resources to assist you in selecting classes from the online schedule.
READY TO REGISTER?
Watch this video for a step-by-step tutorial on how to register for courses through your student portal:
Reverse Transfer
Reverse Transfer allows students who transferred from an Illinois community college to GovState without earning an associate degree to apply GovState credits toward completing that degree. The community college reviews GovState coursework to determine remaining requirements. Eligible students may participate by completing the Reverse Transfer Agreement Form and reviewing the information below.
This program follows statewide reverse transfer agreements established in 2019 under the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (110 ILCS 150/).
An associate's degree is an important milestone in your education as well as a valuable credential to have on your resume. Employers value the associate's degree as evidence of your commitment to expanding your knowledge and achieving your educational goals. The associate's degree can make a difference in your long-term success in several ways:
- It can open the door to better job opportunities, even while you're still working on your bachelor's degree.
- It is the nation's fastest-growing academic credential and employers recognize its value when recruiting and hiring.
If you transferred to Governors State University from a community college without completing all the requirements for your associate's degree, it may be possible to complete the credits you need using GovState courses by reverse transferring your GovState credits to your community college.
The reverse transfer of credit option is available to any student who is currently enrolled at Governors State University and has earned:
- At least 15 hours of transferable coursework at any Illinois community college; and
- A cumulative total of at least 60 credit hours of transferrable coursework successfully completed at Governors State University or any previously attended postsecondary institution. The 60 hours could include credit from one or more schools, both in-state and out-of- state, and/or from AP, CLEP, IB or the Seal of Bi-literacy.
All individuals wishing to participate in reverse transfer are required to complete a Reverse Transfer Agreement Form (PDF). By doing so, the individual agrees to the exchange of transcript information between Governors State University and the Illinois community college the student is declaring for the awarding of their associate's degree. The community college will determine if they have met their associate’s degree requirements.
If you are interested in participating in this initiative or have any additional questions, please contact RegOffice@govst.edu or 708.534.4500. To participate, please use the Reverse Transfer Agreement Form (PDF).
Each academic year, during the fall semester, the Registrar’s Office will identify and inform qualifying current students of the reverse transfer option; students can choose to opt in or opt out. If students choose to opt into this initiative, the Reverse Transfer Agreement Form (PDF) will be valid for one academic year, and transcripts will be sent to the selected Illinois community college after the fall and spring semesters at no cost to you. If students choose to opt out at any time within that academic year, they should notify the Registrar’s Office at RegOffice@govst.edu.
If you are interested in participating in this initiative or have any additional questions, please contact RegOffice@govst.edu or 708.534.4500.
To participate, please use the Reverse Transfer Agreement Form (PDF).
Prerequisite
Prerequisites are electronically enforced through the registration system. A prerequisite is an academic requirement that students must complete before enrolling in a desired course.
A corequisite is a specific course, or set of courses, that must be taken during the same term as the identified course. Example: Enrolling in a chemistry course lecture and a chemistry lab. The lab is the corequisite of the chemistry course.
To register for classes, follow the steps below. You must log in to your myGSU portal to complete the registration process, so have your username and password ready.
Prerequisites help ensure that when you enroll in a course, you have some prior knowledge about the subject. They are an indicator of student success in the identified course because it assures that you are fully prepared to complete the course and its assignments.
If you are a new transfer student entering Fall 2025, you will be able to register through the myGSU student portal on the last day of priority registration.
Transcript Services
Official transcripts are issued by the Office of the Registrar. Transcript requests are ordered online and are processed within five business days.
Electronic Transcripts are now available!
Official Transcripts are $12.90 for paper or electronic. The cost includes processing/convenience fees. Access the website to place your order.
Current and former students may request official transcripts online through the University Registrar or authorize release to a third party as permitted by law. Transcript requests will be honored regardless of any outstanding balance, with no additional fees or penalties. Standard transcript fees apply, and any existing debt remains unchanged and subject to normal collection processes.
A current or former student who believes that they have had a transcript withheld improperly according to University policy and procedures may make a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General's Student Loan Ombudsperson by emailing loan.reports@ilag.gov or calling 1-800-455-2456. Alternatively, they may direct their concern to the University Office of the Registrar by emailing regoffice@govst.edu or calling 708-534-4500.
- Log in to the National Student Clearinghouse
- Click on the green "Start" button (located at the bottom of the screen)
- The site will walk you through placing your order, including delivery options.
- A signed Consent Release Form is required to complete your order.
An email or text will be sent with the status of your request, from receipt of the order to a notice when the order has been completed. If there is a problem in processing your request, you will be notified by email or phone.
If you need further help or have questions regarding the Clearinghouse’s online services, please contact them directly at 703.742.4200 or transcripts@studentclearinghouse.org.
Can I send an electronic transcript to a school or business?
Yes. Both the name and email of the recipient are required on the request form. The recipient will need Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash to view and download the official electronic transcript.
Can I send an electronic transcript to myself?
Yes, however, you will need Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash to view and download the official electronic transcript.
How are electronic transcripts delivered?
Recipients receive an email with a link to a website where the electronic transcript is stored. A separate email will be sent to the recipient with the password. The recipient has 30 days to access the electronic transcript.
Will I be informed when the transcript is sent?
Yes, you will be informed by email when the transcript has been sent and when the recipient has opened the transcript. You may also receive text alerts if you sign up for that feature. Standard text rates apply.
How much does it cost to send an electronic transcript?
$12.90 total: $10 for the official transcript, $2.90 for processing/convenience fee.
What if I mistype the email address for the recipient?
Please order a new electronic transcript online and contact the Registrar’s Office at Governors State University: transcripts@govst.edu or call 708.534.4500 with the order number of request that needs to be cancelled.
When will my credit card be charged?
Your credit card will be charged at the time of delivery.
Why can’t I order an electronic transcript?
Electronic transcripts are available for students/alumni/graduates who attended after 1990, when GovState started maintaining records electronically. Paper transcripts are available to students who attended GovState prior to 1990.
- 24/7 access. You may submit your request from any computer connected to the Internet anywhere in the world.
- Status updates. Receive an email or text update on the status of your request, from receipt of the order to a notice when the order has been completed. If there is a problem in processing your request, you will be notified by email and/or by phone.
- Precise addressing. Typing the address online will alleviate the need for our staff to read a hand-written address. It provides the correct address for delivery of your transcript.
Student Information Change Forms
In order to change your information in our database, you will need to complete a form.
Please return all forms to the Office of the Registrar for processing.
Change of Student Information (PDF)
Use this form to update your information in our database (i.e. name changes).
Request for Missing Taxpayer Identification (PDF)
Use this form to provide GSU with a taxpayer identification number (social security number or individual taxpayer identification number) so that GSU can provide you with a 1098T tax form.
As approved by the GSU Board of Trustees, to qualify for in-state tuition you need to live in Illinois for at least six months.
Per GSU Policy 10, “Applicants on F-1 visas or any other temporary visa are not eligible to be classified as residents of the State of Illinois for tuition purposes, regardless of actual length of residence in the State of Illinois.”
To change your residency status:
Complete the Change of Residency form and have the form notarized.
- Provide appropriate documentation to support your residency.
- Return the form and documentation to the Office of the Registrar.
- Undocumented students may qualify for In-State Tuition by completing the Residency Affidavit form.
For current students, additional forms are available in the myGovState Student Portal.
Withdrawals
Students who need to drop or withdraw from a course may do so online within published deadlines found on the student schedule or in Search for Sections in myGSU.
For students who receive financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans), please check with the Office of Financial Aid before dropping a course to determine if dropping a course will affect your financial aid eligibility. Email faid@govst.edu.
GovsState has three different types of class drops: class drop, class withdrawal, and late withdrawal request. You may click on the + sign to learn more information about each type of class drop.
For Emergency/Medical Leaves, that process is overseen by the Dean of Students. More information is available at www.govst.edu/emergencyleave.
Please note that the last day to file a late withdrawal is the last day of the semester/term in which the course(s) take place. Incomplete requests will not be considered.
Students who need to drop a class may do so through the myGovState Portal.
For full-semester classes, the deadline to drop a class is within the first two weeks of the semester/term. The course does not appear on the transcript and tuition is credited.
If you simply stop attending, you are not dropped. It is your responsibility to drop any class you do not intend to take or complete within the published deadlines.
Students in the GENST.UNDG program must contact your academic advisor to drop a class.
Students who need to drop a class may do so through the myGovState Portal.
For full-semester classes, the deadline to withdraw from a class is from the third week through the tenth week. A "W" grade will be assigned and tuition and fees will apply.
If you simply stop attending, you are not withdrawn. It is your responsibility to withdraw from any class you do not intend to take or complete within the published deadlines.
Students in the GENST.UNDG program must contact your academic advisor to withdraw from a class.
For students who miss the class withdrawal deadline, students may submit a late course withdrawal request through the online form below.
Students must submit their completed signature form with the online form and any documentation to support the request by the last day of the semester/term in which the class(es) took place. All decisions will be sent to via email to the student GovState email account.
A complete late course withdrawal request includes:
- Late Course Withdrawal Request Form (via online form, see button below)
- Personal Statement of Request (via online form, see button below)
- Signature Form (signed and submitted with online form)
- Supporting documentation (via online form, see button below)
Enrollment and Degree Verification
Governors State University uses the National Student Clearinghouse to provide enrollment and degree verifications. Third parties, including lenders and insurance companies, should contact the Clearinghouse directly at its verification services page or 703-742-4200. This is the fastest way to verify enrollment at GovState.
Your enrollment status will not be verified until after the second Friday of a semester or term.
After this date, you may use the certificate in the MyGSU portal or have lenders contact the National Student Clearinghouse directly.
Tutorial
Here's a tutorial about accessing the enrollment verification form in the student portal.
If you are providing the certificate for an insurance company, the top of the certificate has a space for a policy number.
The enrollment certificate is available online through the MyGSU student portal under 'online services.' If you are providing the certificate for an insurance company, the top of the certificate has a space for a policy number.
Tutorial
Click here to access the enrollment verification form in the student portal.
Your enrollment status depends on the number of credits you are currently enrolled in based on the academic level of your program. Classes that are dropped do not count as enrolled credits.
| Bachelor's degree | Master's degree | Doctoral | |
| Full-time | 12 or more credit hours | 9 or more credit hours | 6 or more credit hours |
| Half-time | 6 to 11.9 credit hours | 6 to 8.9 credit hours | 3 to 5.9 credit hours |
| Part-time | 1 to 5.9 credit hours | 1 to 5.9 credit hours | 1 to 2.9 credit hours |
If your company needs to verify your degree, please direct them to contact the National Student Clearinghouse directly for degree verification at https://nscverifications.org/ or 703.742.4200.
This is the quickest way to verify your degree.
Information Regarding Plus/Minus (+/-) Grading
Read the FAQ regarding the recent changes to Policy 26, which include the implementation of Plus/Minus (+/-) grades.
Roster Verification
Governors State University expects students to attend all classes for which they are registered. Students who drop a class they are not attending after the published refund period are financially responsible for the cost of the class. The Roster Verification reporting process has been established to ensure accurate census counts and minimize financial and academic penalties for students who never attended classes they registered for.
Governors State University will be asking all faculty to verify their class rosters during a specified time frame at the start of each term. This Roster Verification process will identify students who never attended, who will then be administratively dropped from the reported classes. This will prevent students from being charged tuition and fees for classes they never attended and will allow the University to maintain compliance with federal regulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Participating during your initial class meetings is crucial to your success as a student. This is why we want you to start strong by simply participating in your classes as soon as the semester starts.
It’s easy to start strong with your Spring classes! If you have a class on campus, make sure you show up for the initial class sessions. If you have an online class, log into Blackboard, complete any introductory activity, participate in an online discussion, and engage with your professor and classmates. There are many ways to be an active participant, and you’ll be glad you did!
GovState faculty will be conducting Roster Verification. This means that if you are not actively participating in class during the first couple of weeks, you may be at risk of getting dropped from your courses, which may impact your financial aid awards.
Let’s hope it doesn’t come to this, but if you happen to get dropped from a course, you’ll need to follow two general steps to re-enroll: 1) E-mail your instructor requesting permission to re-enroll. 2) If approved, forward the approval e-mail to the Office of the Registrar. Instructors may deny permissions to re-enroll, additional approvals may be required, and you may not get all of your financial aid back, so the best way to avoid this is to start strong and participate right away.
If you end up being dropped from some or all of your courses, this can impact the amount of aid that disburses to you. For example, if you drop from full-time to half-time status, you would not be eligible for awards that require you to maintain full-time enrollment.
Federal regulations require that a school be able to document that a student began attendance, and when they ceased attendance. Students may receive financial aid only for courses where they have been confirmed attending.
If you need assistance along the way, remember to use your resources! We understand the beginning of a new semester can be stressful and we are here to help. Please be sure to contact the Office of the Registrar with any questions you may have at 708-534-4500 or RegOffice@govst.edu.
Request to Re-Enroll
- E-mail your instructor to ask permission to re-enroll into the course. To find your instructor's contact info, visit the Faculty Directory page.
- If approved, forward the e-mail from your instructor to the Office of the Registrar for processing: RegOffice@govst.edu
Additional Information
- Your instructor may approve or deny your re-enrollment request.
- Additional approvals may be required depending on course.
- Re-enrollment does not guarantee full Financial Aid reinstatement.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a U.S. federal law enacted in 1974 that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all educational institutions that receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA is intended to protect students' privacy and provide parents and eligible students with more control over their educational records.
- The right to inspect the record. This must be made in writing to the Office of the Registrar.
- The right to correct/amend information on the record. Documentation may be needed.
- The right to give written consent for records to be released, such as an official transcript.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the university to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
- The right to prevent the release of any directory information and educational information.
- FERPA Release of Information - Students may complete this form to give individuals access to their student record.
- FERPA Prevent Release of Directory Information - Students may use this form to prevent disclosure of directory information and their student record.
- Under FERPA, once a student reaches the age of 18 or enters college, the rights previously held by the parents transfer exclusively to the student. The payment of a student's tuition by the parent does not, by itself, give the parent the right of access to a student's record.
- Ordinarily, parents of GovState students obtain information about their children's records directly from their children. The university is not required to release information to the parents of a student.
- The Office of the Registrar may disclose information to parents with the student's written consent. This would entail completing a form authorizing the Office of the Registrar to disclose copies of scholastic and other records to his or her parent.
- The FERPA Family Compliance Office
- GovState has endorsed this act fully and campus implementation of the provisions of FERPA is described in the student records policy (#12).
Commencement
Commencement is your formal ceremony celebrating your accomplishments of graduates and candidates for graduation.
For GovState to determine if you are eligible to receive your degree, you must apply for your degree. If you are not in your final semester/term at GovState, please check with your academic advisor before completing the application to graduate.
The application deadline for Fall 2025 is Friday, September 19, 2025
The application deadline for Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 is Friday, February 6, 2026
If you have applied for your degree, and plan to participate in the May 2025 Commencement ceremony, please visit the Commencement webpage for more information.
Please keep in mind:
- Degrees are posted and Diplomas are mailed, six to eight weeks after final grades have been submitted.
- Applying does not mean you have graduated. Applying begins the review process by which your academic advisor(s) and your graduation counselor will verify that you will complete all program requirements by the end of the term you indicate on the application.
- A $125 non-refundable, processing fee is required for each application. If you are receiving multiple degrees, an application is required for each degree.
- If you are completing a certificate, please contact your advisor to begin the process.
- If you plan to participate in the May 2025 Commencement ceremony, please watch for future mailings and communication to your GovState email account, with information on cap/gown ordering, tickets, etc. which will be sent throughout the academic year.
Diplomas are issued after all degree requirements are verified and include the degree, major, date, and student name on record. Diplomas are mailed to the address on file within six to eight weeks after final grades are submitted.
The University will issue diplomas and replacement copies upon request and will not withhold them due to unpaid balances, though a standard fee applies for official copies. Outstanding debts remain collectible through standard processes.
Students who believe a diploma was improperly withheld may contact the Illinois Attorney General’s Student Loan Ombudsperson or the University Office of the Registrar via email at regoffice@govst.edu or 708-534-4500.
Replacement Diploma Request
To replace a diploma that has been lost, destroyed, stolen, or damaged, please complete the Replacement Diploma Request Form.
Contact the Registrars Office
Phone
708.534.4500
Fax
708.534.1640
Email
RegOffice@govst.edu
Mail
Office of the Registrar
Governors State University
1 University Parkway, C-1300
University Park, IL 60484
Registrar's Office Hours:
The Office of the Registrar is back to normal hours:
On-campus hours are as follows:
- Monday - Friday: 8:30am to 5:00pm
- Saturday-Sunday: CLOSED
