Human Resources Service Center

Registering for Courses

View your student status, information about Holds, and your enrollment appointment by logging into your Student Portal.

How will I be admitted to the University?

Use the following matrix to figure out if you are admitted to the university as a Transitory student or a Matriculated student:

Option, Student Type & Admitted to University As Matrix
OptionStudent IsAdmitted As
Work-Related CourseworkEmployeeTransitory Student
Career Development OptionEmployeeMatriculated Student
Dependent (or Transfer of Fee Waiver Benefit) OptionDependent (qualifying spouse, domestic partner or a dependent child)Matriculated Student

How a student is admitted drives the registration process for classes. See below.

How and when do I register for classes?

Transitory Students

  1. Submit a "Work-Related" admissions application as part of your fee waiver packet each term. This information is forwarded to the appropriate admissions office for processing. 
  2. Once admitted, you will receive a letter or email (from Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Studies) confirming acceptance as a student.  This is an invitation to enroll in courses.
  3. Pay fees on time! View Registration Fee Payment Deadlines
  4. You will register during New Student Registration each semester, as listed in the Class Schedule(opens in new window).  Transitory students are not considered continuing students. 

Matriculated Students

  • Career Development Option
    • First-time students: The appropriate admissions office will open a registration period that allows you to enroll in courses as a matriculated student (after the fee waiver application form has been processed, approved, and a copy forwarded to Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Studies).
      1. If admitted, you will receive a letter or email (from Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Studies) confirming your acceptance as a student.  This is your invitation to enroll in courses.
      2. Pay fees on time! View Registration Fee Payment Deadlines.
      3. You will register during New Student Registration, as listed in the Class Schedule(opens in new window).  
    • Continuing students: You simply enroll in courses during the registration period assigned.
      1. Pay fees on time! View Registration Fee Payment Deadlines.
      2. You will register during Continuing Student Registration, as listed in the Class Schedule(opens in new window)
    • Undergraduate students: eligible applicants may be admitted to the University outside normal application periods.
    • Graduate students: applicants must be admitted by Graduate Studies through the normal admissions process and application periods.
  • Dependent (or Transfer of Fee Waiver Benefit) Option
    • First-time students: apply for university admissions through Cal State Apply.
    • Continuing students: enroll in state-funded courses during their given enrollment period.

When do I register for classes?

  • You should receive an email from the Office of the Registrar about one week prior to your Enrollment Appointment, notifying you that it has been set.  You may go to your Portal ('Student' tab) to confirm the date and specific time you can begin enrolling in classes.
  • The email may provide you access to priority registration by appointment, typically during the Priority Registration period for New Students (even if you are not a new student). 
    • To view these dates, go to the Class Schedule web page. Look for the appropriate semester, find Priority Registration or New Student Registration and review the dates. 
    • Employees on the fee waiver program are not typically given continuing student priority registration, as that is provided first to fee-paying students.
  • If you do not receive an email prior to the fee payment deadline, you can enroll during the semester's open registration Add/Drop Period.

How do I register for classes?

Review the Step-by-Step Guide to Registration, starting with Step 3: Review Your Record....

Registration Help

The Student Records and Registration Office (SRO) provides an overview of the registration process in this Step-by-Step Guide. Find more information regarding additional facets of this process on the SRO Registration Help page.

What if my class is closed?

I tried to register for the course I submitted, but my course is closed.  What are my options?

  • Like other students, you can go to the class, speak to the instructor, and try to add the course after the semester begins.
  • You can add a different section of the course. If it changes your release time request, you must submit a new Fee Waiver Application for Employees(opens in new window). Check the "This is a request to revise a previously submitted fee waiver" box in the Course Information & Release Time section.
  • You can add a different course if it is on your Career Development Plan. If it changes your release time request, you must submit a new Fee Waiver Application for Employees(opens in new window). Check the "This is a request to revise a previously submitted fee waiver" box in the Course Information & Release Time section.

Late Registration / Enrolling in Courses After the Fee Deadline

Sometimes a student will need to register for courses after the Registration Fee Payment Deadline.  If Admissions is allowing the student to register during the Registration Add/Drop Period, the student will need to pay their fees prior to enrolling. (Note: the balance is not listed on the student portal account because they are not yet enrolled.  The fees may include a $25 late registration fee.) 

For information on payment methods or fee balances, please contact Student Financial Services at 530-898-5936.

How do I figure out which books to buy?

Start with the Chico State Wildcat Store(opens in new window), then ask a student.  They've discovered more resources than you can imagine!

What if I need to drop a course?

If you decide not to participate in a course you enrolled in using the fee waiver, it is important to drop the course(s) prior to the University Census date in order not to impact your academic record. Use the class add/drop process. Review “Important Dates & Deadlines” on the Class Schedule.

During the Add/Drop Period: You are able to drop individual classes in the Student Center via the Portal up through Week 2 of classes. Check your Student Center via the Portal to ensure that all requested changes are reflected accurately.  If you wish to drop all your classes for the semester, see Withdrawals.

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