Spring 2026 graduate courses follow a variety of start dates and formats to meet different program structures and learning needs. Some begin on traditional semester schedules, while others follow shorter, flexible subterms. Confirm when your graduate courses begin and plan your semester accordingly.
- Most graduate courses in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Business, College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts, and College of Education and Human Services begin on Jan. 29, 2026.
- Graduate courses that are scheduled in 8-week subterms begin for the first spring sub-term on Jan. 12, 2026.
- CBE graduate courses (7-week subterms) begin on Jan. 20, 2026.
- All other graduate courses begin on Jan. 12, 2026.
- Please double check the Schedule of Classes to determine when each of your courses begin.
myLeo Online (D2L)
Course Availability Timeline
When will my courses become available in myLeo Online (D2L) to me as a student?
- All courses will become available on their start date.
- Most graduate courses in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and College of Education and Human Services begin Jan. 29, 2026, with the exception of those scheduled in 8-week subterms, which begin Jan. 12, 2026, and CBE graduate courses (7-week subterms) begin Jan. 20, 2026. All other graduate courses begin Jan. 12, 2026.
- Please check the Schedule of Classes to determine when each of your courses begin.
Office of Academic Technology (OAT) Contact Information
[email protected], 903.886.5511
International Student Services
Entering the U.S.
Now that I have been accepted at East Texas A&M University when can I enter the United States to start studying?
- You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the official program start date as listed on your Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” If you are unable to enter the United States prior to the start of classes, please notify [email protected] for deferral information.
GA Arrival Date
My courses don't begin until Jan. 29, 2026, but I have a GA position. When do I need to be at the university?
- All GAs must begin work on Jan. 16, 2026.
Check-in and Orientation
What are the check-in and orientation programs? Am I expected to attend these as a new ETAMU international student?
- New international students are required to report their arrival to the Office of International Programs through the International Student Portal at international.etamu.edu. You must check-in and submit your documents prior to the start of mandatory international student orientation. The Office of International Programs will announce Spring 2026 New International Student Orientation dates and locations in November 2025.
Office of International Programs Contact Information:
Suite 173, Velma K. Waters Library.
903.886.5097
Registrar's Office
Last Day to Enroll
For terms that begin Jan. 29, 2026, what is the last day to enroll without the instructor's and dean's approval?
- The last day to enroll without instructor and dean approval for terms that begin Jan. 29, 2026 is Feb. 3, 2026.
Last Day to Drop
For terms that begin Jan. 29, 2026, what is the last day to drop a class and remain enrolled?
- The last day to drop a class and remain enrolled in at least three hours for terms that begin Jan. 29, 2026, is April 13, 2026 (no refund).
Last Day to Withdraw
For terms that begin Jan. 29, 2026, what is the last day to withdraw from all classes?
- The last day to withdraw from all classes for terms that begin Jan. 29, 2026, April 21, 2026.
Registrar's Office Contact Information
903.886.5665
Housing
Veteran Housing Funding
I am a veteran. Will the January 29 start date affect my housing funding?
- If you have any concerns about your veterans benefits and how the start date may affect them, please contact the Veterans Services Office.
Assignments and Billing
How will my on-campus housing assignment and billing be impacted if I begin classes on Jan. 29, 2026?
- For returning residents who are already living on campus, your assignment and billing will not be impacted. For new residential students, if you will not be arriving to campus by January 12, please email [email protected] with your arrival date so that we do not cancel your spring booking.
Housing Contact Information
903.886.5797
Student Accounts
Course Charges
Will course charges be calculated differently for courses starting on Jan. 29, 2026?
- No. Course charges will be the same regardless of whether you start courses on Jan. 12, 2026 or Jan. 29, 2026.
Loan and Installment Payments
Loan and installment payment for courses starting on Jan. 29, 2026?
- Yes. Students in courses with a January 29 start date will be able to enroll in the tuition loan or installment payment plan for spring.
Financial Aid Refund
When will my financial aid refund be processed?
- The Financial Aid office will release spring aid 10 days before classes start. If the start date for your classes is January 29, then your spring aid will not be released until January 19. Refunds for aid released on that date will be processed within 2-3 business days.
Emergency Financial Resources
Are financial resources available for assistance if my financial aid is delayed due to the January 29 start date for my classes?
- Yes. Students with pressing financial needs due to the delay in financial aid disbursement caused by the January 29 start date for their classes may contact the Student Accounts office for assistance. We will make emergency loans available at no cost to students with financial issues attributable to the delay in financial aid disbursement for flex graduate courses.
Student Accounts Contact
Students will need to contact Charles Robnett or Sherrie Phelps for an emergency loan. Charles Robnett can be reached at 903.886.5056 or by email at [email protected]. Sherrie Phelps can be contacted at 903.468.3089 or by email at [email protected].
Human Resources
Per the Graduate School, most CASNR, COB, COEHS, and CHSSA graduate courses will begin on Jan. 29, 2026, for the spring. This will not affect HR's start date; it will remain the same as January 16 in Workday for all new spring hires.
GA Start Date
What is the Spring 2026 start date for Graduate Assistants?
- New Graduate assistants beginning employment Spring 2026 must be hired, onboarded, and have a completed I-9 no later than January 16, 2026, start date.
New GA Requirements
What is required for new graduate assistants?
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- Graduate assistants must meet all Graduate School requirements prior to being hired into Workday.
- All new hires must complete a federally required Form I-9 prior to beginning employment. (NO training or work is allowed before beginning employment). Workday start date will reflect this date.*
- Must have ORIGINAL required documents to complete I-9 (List of acceptable documents)
Submitting GA Hires to HR
How early can GA hires be submitted to HR for Spring 2026?
- The Student Pre-Hire form for Spring 2026 can be submitted to HR via Laserfiche now.
- Please complete submission of pre-hire form to HR on January 2, 2026, to allow time to process the hire.
- Deadline for all start dates is January 16.
Teacher of Record Process
What is the process for graduate assistants that will serve as Teachers of Record?
- Departments must complete and submit a GA – Teacher of Record Hiring Checklist via Laserfiche simultaneously when the GA pre-hire form is submitted in Laserfiche.
- Workday process must be complete for GAT position and paperwork submitted to HR before Teacher of Record can be approved and updated in Banner.
GA Pay Schedule
When do GAs get paid?
- Graduate Assistant Teaching (GAT): Paid monthly. Paychecks will be issued on the first working day of each month. The first check for Spring 2026 will be issued on February 1, 2026.
- Please note, GAT's that do not start on the first working day of the month will receive a prorated check.
- Graduate Assistant Research (GAR): Paid monthly. Paychecks will be issued on the first working day of each month. The first check for Spring 2026 will be issued on February 1, 2026.
- Please note: GAR's that do not start on first working day of the month will receive a prorated check.
- Graduate Assistant Non-Teaching (GANT): Paid on a bi-weekly cycle (every 2 weeks). Hours (timesheet) must be submitted and approved via Workday. Payroll calendars are located on the Payroll Services website.
Human Resources Contact Information
903.886.5080
Financial Aid
Earliest Disbursement Date
What is the earliest date that I can receive my financial aid disbursement/s?
- That will depend on the date your courses begin. We cannot authorize disbursements to student accounts more than 10 days prior to the start of courses. Please see the following course start dates and anticipated disbursement dates for eligible students:
- Courses beginning Jan. 12, 2026 and ending May 1, 2026 – Anticipated release date 1/02/2026
- Courses beginning Jan. 29, 2026 and ending May 01, 2026 – Anticipated release date 1/19/2026
Eligible Student Definition
What do you mean by “eligible” student?
Eligible students are those who meet general financial aid eligibility requirements defined by the Department of Education, including the following:
- Are conditionally or fully admitted into a degree seeking program at ETAMU.
- Have a completed FAFSA of TASFA for the 2025/2026 award year on file with the ETAMU financial aid office.
- Are not in default on Federal student loans or have an overpayment of Pell Grant from being an undergraduate student.
- Have not reached aggregate or annual loan limits set by the Department of Education.
- Are meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) measures for GPA and completion of hours.
- Are enrolled in at least six credit hours needed to complete your degree.
Cost of Attendance
My classes begin Jan. 29, 2026. Will there be a reduction in my Cost of Attendance Budget based on enrollment in one or more sub term courses?
- No, provided you are enrolled in classes each month of the term. Since your courses begin on Jan. 29, which is within the month of January, there is no adjustment required to your Spring 2026 Cost of Attendance Budget.
Aid for Late Start
If my classes are scheduled to begin Jan. 29, 2026, will I receive less financial aid than students whose classes begin Jan. 12, 2026?
- No. Your awarded aid for spring should not be affected unless, as stated above, you fail to enroll in six hours required to complete your degree. Your aid should be the same.
Less Than 6 Hours
What happens if I decide to enroll in three hours for Spring 2026?
- Since you will not have established eligibility for the federal loan programs (minimum of six hours), you will not qualify for a disbursement of your accepted financial aid. We will cancel your ineligible disbursements and update your records with the Department of Education. You will be responsible for paying out of pocket any university charges, and you will begin your repayment period on previously accepted student loans, following any available grace period.
Graduating With Three Hours
I'm graduating in Spring 2026 and only have three credit hours left to graduate. Can I enroll in an additional course or repeat a course I passed to meet the six hour enrollment requirement for my financial aid?
- No. Financial aid will not pay for courses outside of your degree plan or re-takes that are unnecessary to fulfill your degree plan requirements. If you do this, your aid will be cancelled for the semester and you will be responsible for any balance created to the university. You will begin your repayment period on previously accepted student loans, following any available grace period.
Payment Options Without Aid
If I'm not eligible for federal, state or institutional aid, what are my options to pay for my courses?
- Our Student Accounts office offers two payment plans: a temporary tuition loan and an installment plan that allows for payments to be made throughout the semester. You should be able to access these alternative payment arrangements in MyLEO under Student Resources and LeoPay as long as you do not have a past due balance from a prior semester. You must also be in good academic standing.
- Your other option would be to apply for a private education loan. We cannot provide details on specific lenders; however, you can visit our ELM Select for Students tool. This tool will allow you to compare lenders that we have historically processed applications for. Each lender varies on eligibility requirements, such as enrollment, SAP, GPA, citizenship status, etc. We recommend reviewing the “Details” tab for the various lenders so that you can find the best lender to meet your needs.
Financial Aid Contact Information
903.886.5096