You are considered a continuing student if you have been officially admitted to California State University, Chico and you were enrolled during the previous semester. (If you skipped a semester without enrolling in courses and did not file a Planned Educational Leave (PEL), you will be considered a re-admit student.) It is important to check the university calendar and associated deadlines early in this process.

Step 1. Computer and Internet Access

You will need a computer and internet access to participate in online courses. If you haven't already done so, check the University's suggested minimum computer configurations, and make sure your computer system meets those requirements.

Step 2. Talk to an Advisor

It is recommended that you talk to an advisor before registering for classes: (1) general academic advising and/or (2) major program advising. Be sure you have read the sections of the University Catalog that pertain to bachelor's degree requirements and to the program for your major before you call your advisor.

Step 3. Prepare your Course List

This process will provide you with a list of your courses before using the Portal to enroll. Prepare your course list by searching the online course schedule. Click on the adjacent spreadsheets to see which courses can be applied to your major and which courses count toward the three-course upper division Pathways requirement.

Step 4. Registration through the Portal

After you have decided the courses you wish to take, log on to the Chico State Portal to register. For the fall and spring terms you will receive an email to your Chico State email account from the Student Records Office and be invited to register starting on a specific day. The order of registration is decided by a student's seniority. The only way to request enrollment in a course is through the Portal.

Step 5. Pay Your Fees

You will be responsible to pay your registration fees by the appropriate deadline. Go to the Student Financial Services website for complete details. For information about possible financial aid check the Financial Aid Website or call the Financial Aid Office at 530-898-6451.

Step 6. How do I Access my Online Class?

The Portal will automatically provide you with access to the courses in which you are enrolled; the University's technical staff usually loads course materials into students' portal accounts approximately one week before the beginning of the term. Course materials are delivered through the Canvas online course management system. Click on the "Student Services" tab and look for the "Courses Resource" link in the left-hand column. Many instructors should have instructional materials available one week prior to the start of the semester.

Step 7. Be Prepared for Class

If a syllabus is posted, review the course outline and the book list. Starting approximately three weeks before classes start, you can purchase your books online through the Chico State Wildcat Store.

Step 8. How do I Drop an Online Class?

To drop an online class during the add/drop period (the first two weeks of the semester), utilize the registration tool in the Portal. To View the deadlines for dropping a course, or contact the Student Records and Registration Office at 530-898-5142.

To drop an online course during the third and fourth weeks of the semester, obtain the instructor's permission via email and then contact Continuing Education at 530-898-6105.

After the Census Date (last day of the fourth week of the semester) students are required to have a serious and compelling reason for dropping a course and to have approval of the instructor, department chair, and dean. You will need to obtain the instructor's permission via email and then forward this email to Continuing Education. As a courtesy, we will contact the Department Chair and Dean to request approval for the drop and complete the required form. If the approvals are granted, we will forward the completed documents to the Student Records Office for processing. Please check your portal account at least one week after your Add/Drop form has been submitted to Student Records to make sure you have been dropped from the course.